A Student’s Guide To Finding Norwich Apartments For Rent
Are you a UEA fresher, looking to rent your first place? Stumped on how to go about finding Norwich apartments for rent? As an older and (let’s be honest) fractionally wiser UEA grad, I’m here to give you the info I wish I’d had. I have since become a pro when it comes to finding Norwich apartments for rent. Here’s a guide to the most popular student locations for finding Norwich apartments for rent.
Location: the City Centre
The heart of Norwich, encircled by the A147 ring road — Noz’s very own M25.
Pros:
Super convenient in all the ways you’d expect from living in the inner city.
Easy access to all bus routes and the station.
Fun, vibrant place to be.
Beautiful houses in the southern part of the city.
Cons:
Once you get to the north of the city centre, the houses (although cheaper) are a bit scuzzy.
An hour long walk to the uni at least, more if you’re north. Worth getting a bus pass, but this will cost you.
Rent is more expensive than other areas of Norwich.
Noise, traffic and pollution — the unholy trinity of urban life.
Location: The Golden Triangle
The best area to live in (as everyone and their dog will tell you). The Golden Triangle extends from Newmarket Road to Earlham Road. Unthank Road runs through the centre from the city to Eaton Park, roughly where the Triangle ends.
Pros:
You’re super close to town.
You’re about a 30/40 min walk to uni, which is a good stroll on a nice day.
Unthank Road offers lots of decent places to eat and drink, so you don’t have to venture into town for a cooked breakfast/takeaway if you don’t want to.
There is a bus, the 25, to the uni, the city centre and the railway on your doorstep.
The location is super nice. You’re surrounded by other students, young couples, young families and cats. Very safe.
Cons:
The houses are old and often a bit damp. They ALL have galley kitchens as well, which can be horribly cramped if there are 4 of you all trying to make dinner at the same time.
Your local supermarket is a Tesco Express. This is bad news for your budget. Any trips to Aldi will require a special pilgramage, involving a taxi.
Location: Eaton
Begins at the north boundary of Eaton Park and stretches all the way south to Ipswich Road, with Newmarket Road running through the centre.
Pros:
Good proximity to the uni. If you’re north of Newmarket Road it’s generally about a 15min walk.
Close to the beautiful Eaton Park, a good place to get boozy in summer.
A quiet and peaceful suburban area. You’re not likely to have hordes of drunk people crashing past your window in the small hours of Saturday morning.
Houses are often very affordable for their size.
The 26 bus runs through the middle of Eaton, from UEA into town via Newmarket Road.
Cons:
No shops or pubs nearby. This is suburbia — it’s designed for people with cars.
If you’re south of Newmarket Road, expect a trek to get to both the uni and to bus stops into town.
Town is a relatively long walk… your best bet is to bike it.
Location: Earlham
Encompassing West Earlham, North Earlham and Earlham Rise up to Farrow Road where the Golden Triangle begins.
Pros:
It’s close to Aldi. Your weekly shop will therefore cost you 72p.
There’s a bus into town, the 23 which runs up Dereham Road, and it’s pretty darn reliable.
It’s within easy walking distance to uni.
The houses (although fugly) are relatively modern and are sometimes cheaper to maintain than the older Golden Triangle properties.
Cons:
There is no bus to the uni.
You’re a good hour’s walk (uphill) to the city centre.
The only pub nearby you, the Fiveways, is very student-unfriendly so you’ll have to go into town.
It’s a little bit scuzzy. Be prepared for ten year olds smoking weed and (if you’re female) to have rude remarks yelled at you when you wear a skirt that doesn’t cover your knees. Norwich is a remarkably safe city so you’re not likely to get in any real danger here, but it’s still not very pleasant being woken up the night before a 9am lecture by Chad and Linda having a domestic next door. (This genuinely happened to me.)
