Firstly, confession: I work from home as a web designer and copywriter, so working in Norwich city centre is the same as working from home in Bradwell, Great Yarmouth, with one exception.
Here, at St James Quay in NR3, I have no dedicated office.
In NR31, I had bedroom 3 of 5 to myself.
My electric standing desk stands close to the entrance of the one and only reception, which serves as kitchen, lounge, garden room, dining room and office. May sound cramped but it’s not at all. We’ve put furniture in storage in case we didn’t take to urban apartment living, but, two weeks in, we all love it – even the dog, Cassie Walton!
We never actually intended buying an apartment – we initially reserved a 4 storey townhouse which was lovely, but was subject to build delays, so we looked elsewhere and found this beauty: a fifth floor, 2 bedroomed, 2 bathroomed apartment with a small south-facing balcony close to the river, cathedral and Norwich city centre, with underground secure parking for the new whip. How street am I?
To be honest, we’ve been drawn to moving to a city centre for some time.
We’d looked at Edinburgh (too expensive and grim weather), Dundee (cheaper, but Scottish weather), London and Norwich.
We know Norwich though, warts and all; we know and love the climate here – long summers, little rain and a varied landscape of water and countryside with a medieval city centre that we prefer to both York and Chester. It is a wonderful city to visit and now call home.
It is reasonable value too – we’ve paid a premium for this place, but the build quality, fit and finish is next level from Hill and Co. The location too is perfect – we exit the lift, turn right and the river and Jarrold bridge greet us, with riverside walks and the city at our feet.
But what about living in this apartment?
We love it.
You enter from a communal corridor next to the lift via a grey municipal door into a S shaped hallway. First surprise to us when viewing was the size of the hallway, with our particular apartment having not one, not two, but three hallway cupboards. The first one to the right is so large that I considered it as an office and actually put my desk in there for the day. I had no views though to distract, so moved it out.
A second cupboard contains the fitted washing machine / dryer behind double doors, with plenty of space to its left. Further along the hall, before bedroom 2, is a small cupboard with broadband router and space for shelving, which we’re paying a joiner to fit out along with the other cupboards to maximise space and storage.
The kitchen / lounge is wonderful: almost 30 feet in length with high gloss kitchen units, integrated Bosch appliances and a stunning Amtico floor that runs from hall to balcony with underfloor heating in all rooms. The balcony is about 7 feet by 4 feet and faces south with incredible views over the river, Mousehold Heath and Anglican cathedral. Other churches are visible along with city hall, county hall and Norwich prison with 270 degree panoramas.
It is a wonderful space to work and relax in.
The family bathroom is huge with high quality fittings, including bath with thermostatic shower over. Chrome towel rail and underfloor heating below large grey ceramic tiles complete the luxury.
Our bedroom faces north and east across Barrack Street and NR3. This is a busy route into the city from Ketts Hill, but with quadruple glazing in both bedrooms, noise intrusion is negligible. The master bedroom is carpeted with a corner window and fitted wardrobe with the most lavish en-suite with the unusual luxury of a frosted window facing east, as it spans the length of the fifth floor. The shower cubicle is a double one and the floor matches the main bathroom with underfloor heating and heated towel rail.
Bedroom 2 faces north too across Barrack Street with a view redolent of the north with a panorama of terraced homes.
Finally, we have bought allocated parking under cover which gives gated access to the area and apartment block.
We moved from a 4000 square feet Edwardian pile in 2016 to a Persimmon new build of 1600 square feet and now, in 2022, we’ve downsized again with 850 square feet with daughter and dog in tow.
Regrets?
None.
The neighbours are lovely as they were in Bradwell but having the river, city shops and restaurants just below is an absolute game changer. We all love living here – even the dog too – Cassie is getting more walks each day than she ever did in the suburb of Great Yarmouth. We’ve piled loads in storage, recycled, sold and given away furniture, toys, books and equipment.
But.
Early days I know, but we’ve never been as happy in a home and place.
Norwich has its faults, like all cities, but we’ve lived in Norfolk now for 14 years and, to be honest, we can’t envisage moving from Norwich any time soon. Yes, it is really that good.
Finally, if you’re a business based in Norfolk or Suffolk (0r elsewhere), I’d be happy to help you with web design, copywriting and marketing. I may have a new home, a new base, but I still love doing what I do – web designing on WordPress to help businesses grow.
Call me on 07462923476 or complete the contact form to find out more.
