Cities are often shitty, I’m in no doubt about that.
They’re bound to be with the thousands and millions of people who live and work in them. Cities have always been a place for us to visit, explore and return to hotel or home at night for guaranteed sleep. But this time, in my 14th place of residence, I’ve gone rogue and headed for the shitty, the Fine City of Norwich no less, if you believe the marketing spin.
Norwich though is without doubt one of the best places we’ve lived near in 56 years on earth. It has a wealth of history, manifested in its architecture from the 13th Century onwards, its churches, cathedrals and buildings. It has a temperate climate, with less rainfall per annum than many places. Plus, it’s surrounded by coast, country and water, in the form of the Norfolk Broads.
We came here in 2008, and have largely enjoyed living and working here. The climate and skies are massive advantages, property is relatively affordable for the east and south-east and crime seems to be non-existent. I did spend time in rough towns like Oldham in the 80s and 90s so Norfolk seems Edenic, in comparison.
We’re currently anchored, happily, in Bradwell, Great Yarmouth, a pleasant suburb, with woodland walks, Burgh Castle and Fritton Lake a short drive away. Gorleston beach, setting of Yesterday, is a 5 minute drive east. Our two children spent their childhoods and early adult years in Gorleston and Bradwell, but now, with James having flown the nest to Toulouse and Cardiff, we’re heading slap bang into Norwich city centre.
There’s several compelling reasons too.
Firstly, we’re drawn to Norwich, every other weekend, like moths to the proverbial flame, as there is so much to do in that City of Stories.
Secondly, 16 year old daughter Ruby finishes Lynn Grove Academy in summer (a fine school) and intends studying A Levels in the sixth form at Notre Dame, a Catholic state school with a fantastic reputation, in the city centre. The house we are buying literally fronts on to the school, meaning she’ll have education on her doorstep and all the cultural facilities that a city can bring with living there.
Thirdly, we’ve never lived in a city.
We’ve stayed in Rome, Paris, Venice, Verona, Berlin, Madrid, Brugges, Brussels, Amsterdam, London and Lisbon. And Norwich on weekends before we moved here. So we’re heading for three to four years in Norwich. Ber Street, no less. The former red light street, allegedly, so handy for drugs and hoes for me! We’ve bought a brand new 4 storey townhouse on the same road as John Lewis – so suitably bougee!
As well as recreating my home office in Norwich, this website is having a suitably metropolitan makeover with tattoos and beards no doubt featuring prominently in some vegan backdrop.
If you’re connected (and not blocked) on my social media channels, you can follow our journey on there – if you’re interested that is!
I’m delighted too that Andy Plues of JA JA Photography took new headshots and city shots on a weekend down here.
And if you’re a Norwich business looking for a copywriter, web designer or someone to accelerate your social media, I’ve got previous in the city with Maker’s House on St Benedicts Street and Sustainability Station, round the corner, on Exchange Street. Harvey, Elaine and Gerry will testify to the quality of my work too!
