We’ve lived in Norfolk for almost 14 years now and knew Norwich to be a great city, but to visit once a week, twice a month is not the same as taking the plunge and living in the centre. But, a month ago today, we finally exchanged and completed and moved into a 5th floor 2 bedroom apartment, halving living space, forgoing a garden and double garage, waving bye bye to suburbia.
Like that goat in Hoodwinked though, we were prepared for this in advance. Mark at Move My Stuff in Lowestoft half emptied the Bradwell home and we put it all in storage locally, in case city life and small spaces left us yearning for the ennui of suburbia. It hasn’t.
When I look back at living arrangements from the age of 22, I can, hand on heart, claim that this is the best place we’ve lived in. Not difficult you may say when you see where I’ve lived.
Homes, while I was hammered
Shaw, Oldham – a two bedroomed terraced on a main road in a crime-ridden area, from 1988 to 1996. Taught at a brutal church school and a large comprehensive in Manchester.
Cheddleton, near Leek – a two bedroomed bungalow for premature retirement at 30. Great location, wonderful walks, but always compromised by teaching in Stoke, which was “challenging” to say the least. Home from 1996 to 1998.
Waterhouses, Staffordshire – lived in a 4 bedroomed detached home from 1998 to 2001, where son was born on the edge of the Manifold Valley, beautiful area but blighted by an ugly cement works and a local shop with an A2 poster of Iain Duncan-Smith – ew.
Crowle, Scunthorpe – large detached home. Lovely home, great school nearby where I worked, but a tad dull as a place to live, with a big pylon shadowing the garden. Home from 2001 to 2008.
Gorleston – rented first and bought a 4000 square feet Edwardian pile, which was stunning, but a money pit and sold when my career nosedived and I hit the bottle big time to cope. I think we lived here from 2008 to 2016.
Bradwell – a Persimmon new build that was nice. A fresh start for me in teetotalism and freelancing. The house that made me better from 2016 to 2022. Good neighbours, but the daily dog walk became boring and our heads were constantly turned by new city properties on Rightmove.
Norwich – home for a month today. Wonderful apartment for four of us – border collie Cassie, daughter Ruby who turned 16 here and me and Tricia. Views of the Wensum, oblate cityscape and that wonderful cathedral.
Norwich web designer loves living here
To be honest, 28 days after moving in, it still feels like we’re on some city break. The apartment is incredibly quiet and bougie with a location to die for. It’s a 5 minute walk to the shops and restaurants of Norwich city centre, Nuffield Health is next door and we all, Cassie included, love it.
We’ve now shelved plans to hotfoot it to Lisbon in 2024 or 2025 as this place feels like being abroad and we are all very settled and happy here. It is 850 square feet of space, my desk is in the main (only) reception room, but it’s not been an issue. If it does become one, I can hot desk nearby but with Nespresso on tap, marvellous vistas and Orbi Wifi 6, why would I?
Life is sweet.
