Best Places to Live in Nottingham and Its Surrounding Area

With Sherwood Forest to the north, the fascinating City of Caves hidden beneath the centre’s streets, as well as delicious restaurants and great Christmas markets, there’s no denying that Nottingham is a wonderful place to visit, but what about living there?

While the city itself is an obvious place to settle down in, the surrounding towns and villages also have plenty to offer.

Whether you're looking for great commuter links, green spaces or excellent schools, there are plenty of locations to suit every lifestyle.

That’s why we’ve put together our guide to some of the best places to live in and around Nottingham.

Beeston

Located next to the University of Nottingham, Beeston is a popular choice for those who want to live close to campus while enjoying a great mix of local amenities, green spaces and convenient transport links. This makes it an attractive place to live for families, professionals and students alike.

Additionally, the railway cuts straight through the town, making it a great transit point for any travel throughout Nottinghamshire, and if you want to work in the city, it's one of the best places to live in Nottingham without being in the centre itself.

Living in Beeston

Beeston is home to its own movie theatre, Arc Cinema, putting on film nights a short walk away from your front door. You can also take the kids to the Hocus Pocus indoor playground to help them run off any extra energy or go on a family walk through the Attenborough Nature Reserve to spot wildlife. If you’d like to find out more about the town, guided tours about Beeston and its surrounding area are run by the Beeston and District Civic Society.

Ruddington

Located just 5 miles south of Nottingham city centre, Ruddington is known for its industrial heritage, links to the invention of the stocking frame and its fascinating local museums.

Nestled next to the Rushcliffe Country Park, it is easily one of the nicest areas to live in Nottingham for anyone wanting a quiet life while still living close enough to the city to enjoy everything it has to offer.

Living in Ruddington

From a local golf club (Ruddington Grange) to kids’ play parks, there are plenty of activities to keep you and the family occupied in Ruddington.

Its semi-rural setting makes it easy to enjoy walks, hikes and other outdoor activities at the weekend, while the choice of museums, such as The Framework Knitters Museum, Ruddington Village Museum and the heritage Great Central Railway, mean that rainy days don’t have to be spent at home.

If this sounds like your kind of place, our Foxgrove Village development might just be perfect for you.

Ilkeston

Located just west of Nottingham, Ilkeston is a place where culture and nature meet.

You’ll find Shipley Country Park to the south, meaning you can spend sunny days exploring acres of woodland on foot or by bike.

However, those more interested in the historical side of the area will want to visit the restored Bennerley Viaduct, which provides a unique experience to admire the stunning countryside, while Erewash Museum and Gardens give you a chance to learn more about the area’s heritage.

Living in Ilkeston

With several excellent schools, great connections into Nottingham and East Midlands Airport reachable in 30 minutes by car, Ilkeston and its surrounding area offer peaceful living without losing easy access to everything Nottingham has to offer.

While we don’t have a development directly in Ilkeston, we do have a couple in nearby towns and villages, with Bennerley View in Awsworth and Lawrence Point just across the A610 in Eastwood.

A view towards a lock gate filling up on the Erewash canal in summertime

Packed Trees - A look into the forest at Sherwood Forest, Nottingham, UK

Best places to live in Nottingham for families

Arnold

The famous Sherwood Forest is a 10,000-year-old woodland sprawled across the landscape of Nottinghamshire. When setting up on the outskirts of Nottingham, your new home can be as little as one mile away from the edge of the forest, making it perfect for day trips! The woodland is great for dog walks and family hikes, as well as weekend holidays and deer spotting. Wildlife is abundant in the area, and living in Arnold is the perfect way to get closer to nature all while staying close to the local schools!

Radcliffe-on-Trent

Radcliffe-on-Trent is rated as one of the safest small towns in Nottinghamshire, automatically making it one of the best places to live in Nottingham for families, and is a great place to settle down and enjoy the countryside. Its proximity to the city ensures that you’re never far from much-needed amenities, restaurants and schools. Located next to the river, there are plenty of areas nearby to enjoy with your partner, the kids or on your own. With a pleasant mix of country and city life, Radcliffe-on-Trent is bound to give you the best of both worlds.

Living in Radcliffe-on-Trent

Despite being a small town, Radcliffe-on-Trent is filled with pubs, restaurants and cafes for the foodies, and its proximity to the River Trent means you’ll find walking routes aplenty in the area if you want to make the most of the sunny weather.

Golfers will also be pleased to know Radcliffe-on-Trent Golf Club has a full championship 18-hole course to offer, where you can take in the beautiful countryside while enjoying a round.

If this is a place you see yourself living in, why not visit Hackett Grange, our Radcliffe-on-Trent development?