Nottingham’s city boundary is actually fairly tightly drawn which is why the city doesn’t seem that large with a population of just over 300,000. However, when the urban area surrounding the city is taken into account, its population swells to over 800,000. Nottingham is most famous for the legendary Robin Hood and his battles with the Sheriff of Nottingham in the fictional tales surrounding Sherwood Forest. Nottingham became a city during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Queen Victoria in 1897.

Prices

As Nottingham is a relatively small city, it’s no surprise to see that the cost of living in the area is reasonable. While some restaurants in the city expect their patrons to pay as much as £50 for a meal, there are also a host of diners and restaurants willing to fill up your plate for less than £7. Those seeking value for money meals could do worse than to check out the range of bars that serve food. Some of these establishments produce food that puts high-end restaurants to shame. In terms of rent, there is little disparity between prices when looking for one room apartments in the city centre. They all range between £450-£600. Strangely, there is little or no difference between the price of three bedroom apartments in the city centre or outside of it which is unusual in a UK city.

Transport

As Nottingham is not the metropolis that London is, getting in and around the city is quite easy. With that being said, the morning rush hour in Nottingham can be a trying experience. Less than 10 years ago, the city suffered from a chronic lack of parking spaces. That is until the city council opened a new tram network in 2004 which increased the number of available parking spaces by 4,000. Victoria and Broadmarsh stations are the main bus depots in the city with Trent Barton and Nottingham City Transport providing the service. There is also a free shuttle bus that operates every 10 minutes and it ferries you around the city. It is an extremely beneficial service, especially for the elderly.

Amenities

At one time, Nottingham was never considered to be a place for gourmet food. Traditional Pie n’ Mash and other British food was about all that one could hope to purchase in the city. However, the influx of foreign nationals and the cultural diversity that followed has rapidly increased the choices of food available to Nottingham residents. Italian and Asian food is top of the list of options. With a huge student population of approximately 60,000, Nottingham’s club, pub and leisure scene is among the best in England. Bars in Market Street tend to be dominated by locals so if you’re looking for some diversity, try one of the many other areas of the city.

Market Square itself is believed to be the largest of its kind in England and it has an enormous water feature with a Council House created in a decadent Baroque style overlooking proceedings. Broadmarsh Shopping Centre is home to dozens of boutique stores with entertainment centres such as the Cornerhouse complex in Trinity Square providing you with limitless options when it comes to enjoying yourself.

Sport

There are two main football clubs in the city: Nottingham Forest and Notts County. Although County are less successful, they do have the distinction of being one of the oldest football clubs in the world. Forest have performed poorly in the last decade or so but were once a European powerhouse, winning back-to-back European cups in 1979 and 1980, one of only two English clubs (Liverpool being the other) to win European club football’s richest price in successive seasons. The city is also well known for rugby, speedway and tennis. Also, Trent Bridge is one of England’s designated Test Cricket grounds.

Although Nottingham has an undeserved reputation for being a difficult place to live, its growth suggests that not everyone considers it to be so. It may not be one of the UK’s largest cities, but it is one of the cities with the richest history and folklore. Residents are never stuck when it comes to deciding what to do and if you elect to live in Nottingham, you will find that time goes by very quickly there.