In this series, we’re exploring some of our favourite rental hotspots. This week, we’ve taken a look at Nottingham and everything it has on offer for renters, including what kind of rent you can expect to pay to what there is to do locally.
Renowned for being the home of Robin Hood and his band of merry men, Nottingham is one of the most exciting places to live in the UK at the moment. Located in the county of Nottinghamshire, it is the largest city in the East Midlands and offers vibrant, yet affordable city living. The city is also attractive to creative types, making it a hotspot for arts and culture.
Renting
The average rent for all kinds of properties in Nottingham currently stands at £877 pcm – well below the national average. You will need to budget around £516 pcm for a one-bedroom apartment and £805 pcm for a two-bedroom apartment. A three-bedroom family home will set you back around £793 pcm. The city centre has a number of attractive neighbourhoods, all with something unique to offer their residents.
Hockley, along with the neighbouring Lace Market, is one of the most sought-after areas within the city centre and is a fine example of inner city living in Nottingham. Here you will find stunning Victorian and Georgian architecture, along with a number of independent eateries and boutiques. Trinity Square is also a popular area to rent, particularly with younger people due to its proximity to the city’s universities and shopping quarters.
If inner city living isn’t your thing, Beeston is a popular suburb just outside the city centre that offers a number of amenities including shops, restaurants and well-regarded schools. There is also a huge amount of green space, including Highfields Park and the nearby Wollaton Hall and Park. West Bridgeford in the South of the city is also a popular suburb amongst families, due to its local town centre and good schools.
Getting around
Making your way round Nottingham couldn’t be easier. The city has a reliable bus and tram network that takes you all around the city and its surrounding areas. You can purchase a pay-as-you-go ‘Robin Hood Card’ that can be used on both the trams and buses. Nottingham also has a well-serviced train station which links directly to Sheffield, Leicester and London.
It takes approximately one hour to travel to Sheffield and Leicester by rail, and only 90 minutes to get to London St. Pancras Station, making Nottingham an excellent location for commuters. The city also sits just off the M1 motorway, so you can easily travel by car to various parts of the UK including London, Leeds and Sheffield.
Things to do
Nottingham is home to some fascinating landscapes, including the famous 450-acre Sherwood Forest just outside of the city and a network of man-made sandstone caves, which give rise to the ‘City of Caves’ nickname. In these areas you will find plenty of trails for afternoon walks and bike rides. It also has a lively music scene, with venues throughout the city, including the Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham Rock City and Nottingham Arena.
If you’re looking for some retail therapy, Nottingham has something to suit all tastes. intu Victoria Centre has all the high street favourites under one roof, and you can find a number of independent stores in and around the city. Thanks to its diverse community, Nottingham has cafes and restaurants that suits all tastes and budgets. The Lace Market is where you’ll find some of the best restaurants in town but, if you’re looking to get out of the city centre, Beeston also offers some of Nottingham’s finest dining.
Fancy moving to Nottingham? Get in touch with our Ilkeston team on 0115 784 3570 to see what we have available!
