WE LOVE WHERE WE LIVE – AND THE SECRET IS NOW OUT!

For those of us who live and work in north Norfolk, the last month has seen two extra reasons to feel proud of our area, writes Sue Hall.

For the third time since the award was created nearly 30 years ago, Cromer Pier has won the Pier of the Year Award from the National Piers Society. 

And in March the Sunday Times named Sheringham as one of the best places to live in the UK, calling the town a ‘charming seaside paradise’ with a thriving high street, picturesque promenade and a traditional sense of community.  The paper praised Sheringham as a ‘year-round sweet spot’ with a ‘serious social scene’.

In a county which is renowned for its quality of life (Norwich was also named as one of the best places to live), north Norfolk really stands out as a highlight, which is the reason that homes in the area remain highly sought-after.

Buyers coming to the area to find their perfect home tell us that there are all sorts of reasons they have chosen north Norfolk.  Among these are the proximity of both sea and gorgeous countryside, as well as good schools, thriving independent shops and lots to do.

Families moving here from places such as London, Nottingham, Leicester and Birmingham (four places from where we see a lot of buyers) tell us that they are drawn by north Norfolk’s low crime levels, making it a great place to bring up their children.

Older buyers retiring here love the fact that there is plenty to do and lots to join in with.  This is a location where it is easier to avoid being lonely than many.

In fact, it is that sense of community which the Sunday Times noted which is the thing which is cited most often as the reason people choose north Norfolk as a place to live.

What does all this mean for the housing market in north Norfolk?  First of all, it is a good explanation why demand for homes in the area remain buoyant, and has done even when other areas in the county have been more subdued.

It also demonstrates why it is not just the archetypal country properties which are in demand, but just as much homes in the vibrant towns such as Cromer and Sheringham where that ‘serious social scene’ is happening.