We went out to the streets of Nottingham to ask: What are the best and worst things about living in the city?

Nottingham is a city of surprising balance. It blends heritage with creativity, green spaces with urban grit. For many who live there, that’s exactly what makes it special.

Grace Healy, 52, who lives just outside the city, puts it simply: “The closeness to rural life. It isn’t far to go at all to be out in nature.”

She’s not wrong. From the ancient trees of Sherwood Forest to the wide lawns of Wollaton Park and the rugged beauty of the Peak District, Nottingham offers easy access to the outdoors—something that’s hard to come by in most cities.

Wollaton Hall is a stunning Grade I listed Elizabethan mansion set in 500 acres of natural parkland. It is the perfect place to just enjoy a picnic, go for a scenic walk and spend quality time with those who matter.

placeholder image — Wollaton Hall is a stunning Grade I listed Elizabethan mansion set in 500 acres of natural parkland. It is the perfect place to just enjoy a picnic, go for a scenic walk and spend quality time with those who matter.

But it’s not all quiet walks and fresh air. Nottingham pulses with energy, especially if you’re into sports. Football fans pack into the City Ground for Forest matches, cricket lovers flock to Trent Bridge, and the Motorpoint Arena roars with cheers for the Panthers and Lions ice hockey teams.

Tom Marshall, 21, from Toton, summed it up: “Notts really is a huge sporting city. Its 2 pro football clubs, cricket sides, ice hockey team, rugby teams, national water sports centre and tennis centre means sports fans like myself are never bored!”

Still, he admitted the city has an image problem. “The reputation Nottingham has outside of the city is still poor. It’s a shame—it might overshadow some of the positive things it offers.”

Nottingham isn’t without its challenges. In 2024, the City Council declared a financial emergency. Budget cuts hit public services hard, sparking concern among residents.

Ian Taylor, 32, from Chilwell, has noticed the impact. “A lot of the time the buses and trams are great, but in recent years it’s been harder to get in and around the city... Roadworks, congestion and no real alternatives added serious time to commuting for me.”

Trams are an important part of life for us here in Nottingham. They're often a quicker and cheaper method of travel than Ubers or taxis. | Getty Images

Transport is a mixed bag here. While delays and congestion are common gripes, the network remains one of the most extensive and accessible in the country, with services running late into the night.

Others point to the city’s scale as a limitation. Oumar Ndiaye, 19, a student living in Beeston, misses the buzz of bigger cities: “Outside of student term there really isn’t much going on in town nightlife wise... it’s not as constant as like London.”

And yet, despite the hurdles—reputation, budget cuts, growing pains - Nottingham keeps drawing people in. Maybe it’s the greenery. Maybe it’s the sport. Maybe it’s the community vibe that runs just under the surface.

Whatever it is, Nottingham remains a city that people call home—not because it’s perfect, but because it’s theirs.