Castles, open fields of lush greenery, and the sweet air of the English countryside. These are just some of what makes the city of Nottingham so charming. It's far from the very urban hub that London has become. This city has still preserved its nostalgic charm and old-world sophistication alongside its various forays into the modern world. It's why so many people are choosing to live here. If you thought London was the only place in England where people from other countries moved to, think again. Nottingham is slowly becoming a popular place for relocation. And if you're one of them, here's a guide to help you out!
Overview
As of 2021, Nottingham's population has risen to 794,000 residents. Back in 2019, there were only 331,297 people living in this city. With the population having more than doubled in the past few years, it only goes to show just how popular Nottingham is becoming more and more popular, especially among expats. And that's saying something too considering the fact that it often rains in this part of England, the Midlands. Nevertheless, even though more and more foreign residents are relocating to Nottingham, it remains a local English city at heart. Those who have yet to master or even learn English will benefit from doing so among the
many language schools here!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Getting Around
You'd think that, since Nottingham is a city in the English countryside, it'd have less of the modern-day conveniences you'd see in London, right? Wrong! The famous Midlands city is just as contemporary as the British capital, particularly when it comes to
public transport. Buses and trams make it easy for people to get around, especially when they have the city's travel pass, the '
Robin Hood Card' with them. Furthermore, taxis travel around the city as well, specifically near the top tourist attractions where they have better chances of picking up a passenger. If you're out of luck with that, you can always use a
transportation app to book a ride yourself!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Where to Live
Now, when relocating to Nottingham, the first thing you ought to do is choose a neighborhood, right? Don't think that just because the city is in the English countryside that practically every part of it is quiet and idyllic. On the contrary, Nottingham is becoming more and more urban as time goes by.
Certain neighborhoods better fit specific lifestyles. There's also the issue of moving with your family too; where in Nottingham will you be able to raise them properly? Well, Aspley, Mapperley, and the Park Estate are the popular residential areas in the city. They're highly suburban, perfect for kids to grow up in!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Real Estate
England may be a wealthy country but it's not necessarily reflected in all the cities here! Sure, as its capital, London is the most expensive city in the country and one of the costliest in the world, but it's the same as in cities like Nottingham. Let's take a look at the common rental fees for a
luxury apartment here, for instance! With the range of a minimum of £500.00 to a maximum of £1,200.00 a month, the
living costs in Nottingham are far lower than
those of London. The rental fees in the former are practically half or one-third of the latter!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Employment
It's easy to assume that the
UK's job market is in shambles since it was hit hard by the Covid-19 global pandemic. Most of the country remains on lockdown even to this day (April 2021). Be that as it may, with a 5.6% unemployment rate, it seems things aren't as bad as they seem here in the UK. It's not the lowest the country has ever seen, but during these trying times, this low rate can still inspire optimism. So when you move to Nottingham, know that you still have a lot of opportunities to
find a job.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Education
If there's one thing you don't have to worry about when you move to Nottingham, it's your children's education. You're probably worried that it'd be hard for your little ones to continue their studies in a new city or especially in a new country, right? Even more so if you came from a place where English was not the main language. How will your kids be able to keep up with the local students here? If you enroll them in an international school here, they'd be fine! The
Nottingham Academy, the
Lovell House Infant School, and more are just some of the finest educational institutions in the city.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Healthcare
Thanks to the
NHS, the UK's national body that runs the
British Healthcare system, once you become a resident of the country, you'll get access to the best of the best in Nottingham, Particularly, its finest hospitals! The
Nottingham City Hospital and the
Nottingham Children's Hospital are just two of the prominent health institutions to go to in this city. They provide the necessary care and proper treatment for all sorts of illnesses, ailments, and health problems. So don't think that just because you're not in London, you can't get to a nice hospital. Nottingham has its fair share of them too!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Safety
Now, let's talk safety! As of 2021,
Nottingham's crime rate is at 55.62%, considered moderately high. Compared to
that of London, it's not that bad. However, Nottingham is far from London, both in popularity population, and even urban development. So for a city in the Midlands of England to have this high a crime rate, it still poses a concern for a lot of people. With that said, the safety rates for walking around the city are 70.81% during the day and 43.35% at night. The former is commendably high while the latter is considered moderate.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/© David Skinner
Taxes
The moment you move to Nottingham legally, you're automatically required to pay taxes to the UK government. That's how the
British tax system works! In fact, even before settling down here, as long as you've already become a tax resident—meaning you spend about half of the year in the country—you won't be able to escape this obligation. As with other countries, the income tax rate you get depends on how much you earn per year. The higher your gross salary, the higher your taxes. It's a simple as that. Though, regardless of whether you're a resident or not, you still have to pay the country's VAT, which has a flat rate of 20%.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Relocation Tips
Finally, you'll need to follow these last-minute tips! The first is that you should
open your own local bank account here in Nottingham. Don't just rely on online money storing and transfer programs. You're better off saving your money in an actual account within a local British bank. At the same time, it'd do you some good to
join a local mobile network as well. This will better ensure that you stay connected with friends and family, both here in Nottingham and back in your native land. Trust that relying on wifi hotspots around the city isn't enough for that!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/© Gillry09
Nottingham is a far more fascinating city than just its castles and the English countryside. When you move here, you'll discover that there's more to it than what you thought it was! And on that note, when you do relocate here, let this guide help you along the way!
