Nottingham--good and bad areas?

It seems our plans have gotten more complicated--instead of Durham and just Durham we're now looking at Nottingham and Oxford as well. Nottingham is a likelier option at this point, so I'd much appreciate any info on Nottingham! Oxford and Durham I've been to, but the only contact I've had with Nottingham was driving past it...

I've heard that St. Anne's is a place to avoid. Any other bad/dodgy neighborhoods/areas?

MrCoffee will be doing a PhD at the Uni, so I suppose S-SW-W of the center would be the best place. I would like to live within walking distance of the center, but how are the areas surrounding the immediate center?

I realize my questions sound hopelessly naive and ignorant, but seeing as I've never been to Nottingham AND I've heard horror stories of how bad and violent it is, I don't want to end up in a dodgy neighborhood or within a block of one.

If you want to offer any general info on Nottingham, that's much appreciated too!

I don't live in Nottingham but have been there, shopping, lots of times. I live in Derbyshire, which is about 20mins up the M1 from Nottts. Best advice would be to drive around the city centre, if that's where you want to live. You'll be able to spot the 'dodgy' areas quite easily, I can...lol. The shopping is good and they have an excellent John Lewis there too. My town is small, and doesn't have any department stores, except Co-Op.

Not much help I know, sorry...

Dawn

Thank you! Every little bit helps.

To be honest, I am quite surprised that there seem to be no uky'ers in Nottingham!

Im not trying to be evil, but just let you know... Nottingham was voted in the top 2 of the 10 worst places to live in Britain.

http://www.channel4.com/4homes/ontv/best&worst/best&worst_worst.html

I know NOTHING about the place, but saw that on TV and just thought you should know.  I dont even know how it was decided, or how accurate/rubbish it is. 

Im not trying to be evil, but just let you know... Nottingham was voted in the top 2 of the 10 worst places to live in Britain.

I do know of Nottingham's reputation. That's partly why I want first-hand information on the city, and areas to avoid. I'm sure there are good areas as well, and I just want to be as far from the bad areas as is possible (well, within Nottingham obviously).

I did live in Coventry for a year, and there are a lot of people who would rate that as one of the worst cities in England... I survived that just fine 

I saw that Channel 4 show too (Britain's Worst Cities) and was surprised a bit. I'm not afraid to go shopping there, but then I'm from Baltimore originally, which, as of 2005, was voted 2nd deadliest city in America due to the murder rate. Nottingham does have some gun violence but on the scale it's not a major worry I don't think. There are some really nice areas, and like a lot of the Uk, the city is trying to improve and the town centre is getting better. The shopping district is nice, and they have trams, which make parking easier. Take a drive down (or up from where you live) and have a good look around.

Dawn

I do know of Nottingham's reputation. That's partly why I want first-hand information on the city, and areas to avoid. I'm sure there are good areas as well, and I just want to be as far from the bad areas as is possible (well, within Nottingham obviously).

I did live in Coventry for a year, and there are a lot of people who would rate that as one of the worst cities in England... I survived that just fine 

that's cool... i was just passing on what i'd heard.
sorry i didnt have any first-hand info.

I'm afraid I don't know about living in Nottingham but I do know that it's got what is supposedly the oldest pub in the UK (http://www.triptojerusalem.com/) which leads me to say that perhaps we need a UKY meet at this pub because, my god, it looks cool.

There is a case with a model ship in it that's covered in thick dust and it's said that the last 4 people who cleaned the ship died and that's why no one else will clean it.

There is also apparently a seat in the pub that has fertility powers. Apparently every woman who has ever sat in it has fallen pregnant.

I don't want to sit on that bench then....I already have 3! lol

Hi Coffeebean,

I am from California and have been living in Nottingham since 1985. for the past 9 years I have been working as a relocation consultant so I think I can give you some pointers! Don't be put off by the bad publicity. Like all cities, there are good and bad areas. The Lace Market is a fairly new development in the city centre. There are a lot of young professionals living there. The only drawback is since Nottingham has so many bars and nightclubs in the Lace Market area you might find noise a problem. The average price for a two bedroom fully furnished flat is around the £700 mark.

You could live out close to the university but it is total student land - i.e. run down properties. Give me some idea of your requirments and I will steer you in the right direction.