Medium Salaries in Nottingham
First and foremost, the city should correspond to your financial expectations. Let's compare medium salaries in the East Midlands with the ones in other British regions.
The region is unfavourable for young professionals – employees under 21 get an average salary of £225 per week. Only South East and Wales pay less. As for other age groups, the East Midlands offers a relatively decent wage (6th – 7th place out of 11 British regions).
The average salary in Nottingham is £32,200 per year (second in the county, after Broxtowe, with £38,100 annually). Compared to the medium UK wages, employees who live in Nottingham earn 24% less.
The unemployment rate in Nottingham is 5.9%, slightly higher than the average UK index of 3.7%. However, the city offers some promising news. Nottingham ranks among the best options for relocation based on the median house prices to median salaries ratio. This ratio is 6.5 in the city, significantly lower than the UK average of 8.16. This means that with 6.5 times their gross annual earnings, a Nottingham resident can afford a medium-priced house, providing a potential for financial stability.
The city doesn't expect to be proclaimed a financial centre or something like that. But Nottingham salaries are enough to maintain a decent standard of living.
Nottingham Housing Market: From the City Centre to the Nearest Neighbourhoods
According to Plumplot, Nottingham is the 30th cheapest postcode in Great Britain. The average property price is £242,000, and it has declined by 3% in the last year.
Based on the last sales, Nottingham residents prefer to purchase properties at more reasonable prices:
| Price range | Share | Number of sales |
|---|---|---|
| Lower than £50,000 per property | 0.3% | 28 |
| £50,000 - £100,000 | 6.0% | 652 |
| £100,000 - £150,000 | 18.3% | 2 000 |
| £150,000 - £200,000 | 24.7% | 2 700 |
| £200,000 - £250,000 | 16.9% | 1 800 |
| £250,000 - £300,000 | 11.7% | 1 300 |
| £300,000 - £400,000 | 11.5% | 1 200 |
| £400,000 - £500,000 | 5.5% | 599 |
| £500,000 - £750,000 | 4.0% | 437 |
| £750,000 - £1,000,000 | 0.7% | 72 |
| More than £1,000,000 per house | 0.2% | 27 |
Houses from £100,000 to £300,00 are in the highest demand in the city. When looking for a property, a buyer needs to know where the best places to live are in Nottingham.
The city comprises the following areas: Basford, Bilborough, Beeston, Bobbers Mill, Bulwell, Clifton, Lace Market, Hyson Green and the Forest Recreation Ground, Lenton, Nottingham City Centre, Radford, Dunkirk and Arboretum, Sherwood and Carrington, and many others.
Each area has its own list of pros and cons. Which location should a newcomer choose while moving to Nottingham? Check out our list of the best houses to buy in Nottingham.
Sherwood. The best city area for families
Several Nottingham areas are suitable for family life, and Sherwood is the best place. The area, named after the legendary Sherwood Forest, is located north of the city centre. Locals characterize this district as a quiet and welcoming one. Sherwood offers anything you need to live a happy life:
- There are a variety of unique national cafes and restaurants where one can taste masterpieces from Italian, Turkish, or Indian cuisine.
- Several gyms including The Gym, available around the clock.
- The Nottingham City Hospital is located nearby.
- Parents are happy to find there two excellent schools. Plenty of primary and two secondary schools are rated among the city's best.
- The average price of a property in Sherwood is £235,879. The cheapest terraced houses start from £183,325, making this area among Nottingham's most affordable.
Alternatives. Family people may also look at Wollaton, known for its award-winning Local Bluecoat Academy (a medium house price is £357,301) and West Bridgford, full of top-rated schools and with plenty of green places (average house prices fluctuate around £396,420).
Dunkirk and Arboretum. The best city area for students
Nottingham can be called a city of students as more than 60,000 youngsters select the land of Robin Hood to get higher education. While talking about properties outside university halls, the following two areas are understood as the best ones:
- Arboretum is the best choice for students who study at Nottingham Trent University. The walk to the city campus takes just a few minutes.
- For students of the University of Nottingham, Dunkirk is the preferred choice. Its proximity to the main campus ensures easy access to all university facilities.
As for house prices, students may rent a property for £50-£200 per week. The array includes diverse options – from 1-bedroom solutions to shared houses.
Lace Market. The best area for living in the Nottingham city centre
A long time ago, Lace Market was the heart of the world's lace industry driving the British Empire's positions forward. At present, the city is proud of this area as a national heritage. Apart from its beauty and historical background, Lace Market is a perfect place for urban life.
There are iconic eateries, unique shops, and plenty of entertainment places. Furthermore, the railway stations and a wide network of bus and tram stops are within a 5-minute walk.
The medium property price in Lace Market is £151,511. While talking about the cons, the area is rather noisy. Lovers of calmness should better move to other locations.
Beeston. The best area that has everything you need
Beeston is definitely among the best solutions when moving to Nottingham. But there is one caveat – that is a town located three miles away from the city. Many people understand it as Nottingham neighborhoods. A much calmer lifestyle and excellent transport links make Beeston the right choice for everyone. Average property prices fluctuate around £301,267.
The city offers a wide variety of areas and neighbourhoods so everyone can find the best place that corresponds to their expectations.
Education: Nottingham Schools and Universities
The city offers pupils 100 schools, including 72 primaries, 16 secondary schools, and 3 sixth forms ones. As for the level of Nottingham educational institutions, based on Ofsted grades, 88.89% of primaries and 56.25% of secondary schools are evaluated as outstanding. The percentage of inadequate institutions is exceptionally low. That means the city can provide pupils with a high level of educational standard
Source: schoolrun.co.uk
As for the universities, the following ones open their doors to students: The University of Nottingham, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham College, and Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute.
The University of Nottingham
Ranked 14th in the UK and 130th globally by the World University Rankings, this educational institution was founded in 1881 and has campuses in Kuala Lumpur and Ningbo. According to the Times, the university is the main alternative solution to Oxbridge. The overall number of students studying at the university exceeds 43,000.
Nottingham Trent University
This educational institution takes 55th place among UK universities and 501st globally. Appeared in 1843 as Nottingham Government School of Design, it transformed into one of the largest educational institutions with more than 35,000 students. Campuses of the university are located in 6 British cities.
Nottingham College
According to Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities, the institution is 143rd among UK universities. The college was founded in 2018 and now has more than 15,000 students.
Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute
The institute is an educational organization responsible for training counsellors and psychotherapists. It partners with Staffordshire University.
The city's educational network is quite extensive. Nottingham offers a diversity of good schools and several world-known universities.
Nottingham Sightseeing and Cultural Life
Nottingham City and the county of Nottinghamshire hosted more than 32 million tourists in 2022 – the visitors spent £2 billion there. The region is trendy among both domestic tourists and foreigners. Here is the list of top Nottingham places of interest:
- Nottingham Castle. The fortification serves as a museum with plenty of historical masterpieces. At the entrance the statue of Robin Hood welcomes guests.
- The Lord Byron's House in Newstead Abbey. The world-known writer lived in Nottingham and was buried there as well.
- Sherwood Forest. The legendary place was chosen as a home by the well-known noble robber, Robin Hood.
- Wollaton Hall. Built in 1580, the hall is now the Natural History Museum.
- Nottingham Council House. A bright representation of the neo-baroque style constructed in the XX century.
Furthermore, tourists love to walk alongside the old market square to breathe the air of that used-to-be Nottingham, where legends and poems were born.
While talking about the city's cultural life, Nottingham offers a wide range of opportunities:
- National Ice Centre.
- National Water Sports Centre.
- Blidworth Woods.
- Highfields Park.
- Bestwood Country Park.
- Wollaton Park.
- Thoresby Hall.
- Bulwell Forest Garden.
In summer, Sherwood Forest becomes home to the Robin Hood Festival. The festival program includes knight rides, hand-to-hand combats, circus skills, comedy and music, and many other exciting activities.
Source: www.visit-nottinghamshire.co.uk
Cost of living in Nottingham
The city falls into the category of affordable places to live and study. The cost of living in Nottingham varies from £850 to £1600 of monthly expenses. The exact amount depends on a person's lifestyle.
Here is the list of core expenses:
| Expenses | Average cost per month |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | £630-650 |
| Transportation services | £76 |
| Food | £390 |
| Entertainment | £41 |
| Groceries | £112 |
| Shopping | £70 |
Nottingham Safety: Crime Rates and the Safest Regions
This is why Nottingham is among the best options to live and relocate. The city is affordable for both British citizens and emigrants from abroad.
Unfortunately, Nottingham is included in the list of the top 10 most dangerous UK cities with 110.3 crimes per 1,000 inhabitants. The following crime types lead the statistics:
- Violent crimes (32.7%);
- Anti-social behaviour (15.7%);
- Shoplifting (12.3%);
- Criminal damages (8.5%);
- Public order (7.2%).
Overall, Nottingham's crime rates are higher than average UK statistics. The difference is especially evident in shoplifting crimes (88% more than the average level) and weapons crimes (54% higher than the national crime rate).
At the same time, there are plenty of city areas that are considered safe. From this point of view, Wollaton, West Bridgford, Mapperley, The Park, and Beeston are the best places to live in Nottingham.
Living in Nottingham: Pros and Cons
Locals point out the following advantages:
- Nottingham has many different transportation options. The East Midland airport is just 13.2 miles away.
- The vast network of award-winning schools and universities.
- There are numerous shopping centres, sports clubs, and green spaces for rest.
- Nottingham is world-known for its castle, Sherwood forest, and many other places of interest.
- The city offers affordable prices for properties.
- Among the top cons locals mention:
- Salaries are lower than in many other UK regions.
- Nottingham is the 6th most dangerous British city – some crimes exceed the average level by 50-80%.
Source: www.plumplot.co.uk
Bottom Line: Is Nottingham a City Worth to be Chosen for Relocation?
Nottingham is a beautiful city in the East Midlands that attracts tourists with the Robin Hood legend and a set of sightseeing. Affordable property prices, tons of cultural and sports centres, and parks make Nottingham among the best places to live. The city suits both youngsters and families. Nottingham amenities are rather developed — the city combines its contemporary image with historical heritage. Despite high crime rates, it is still among the best choices to move.