10 reasons Nottingham is the best city in the world to live in: from bars and green spaces to transport

Moving to a new city can be challenging. There is so much you need to take into consideration before selling up and investing in a new life filled with opportunities. Read our guide and see whether you agree and think that these are 10 solid reasons why Nottingham is the best city in the world to live in.

Lively, young and carefree

Nottingham is home to around 60,000 students, making its population one of the youngest in the UK. There are apparently more under-30s here than in any other city but Manchester. Now if you want to potter around cobbled streets and enjoy the birdsong, this may not be for you.

However if you love hanging out with your friends in pubs, bars and cafes, enjoy seeing live music and are partial to people watching, Nottingham has it all. With Nottingham University boasting amazing campuses and being in the top 20 Universities based in the UK, it is no surprise that the town is packed with Gen Z influencers and the late night partying opportunities are plentiful.

With student discounts and two for one deals at many bars and restaurants, a night out doesn’t have to mean a credit card bill at the end of the month.

Bars, restaurants, clubs and cafes

As mentioned previously, Nottingham is home to the young and wild but it also has a wide selection of bars, restaurants, clubs and cafes that cater for clients of any age. With quirky bars such as The Hockley Arts Club and GinSecco offering some fabulous cocktails at affordable prices, there is no excuse not to indulge.

Prefer to dine than drink? There are lots of fine dining establishments for you to test including Casa Italian & Seafood Restaurant and, the Michelin starred, Restaurant Sat Bains with Rooms. Clubbing enthusiasts can head to PRYZM for a top-notch evening out with pals and if you prefer coffee to cocktails, Nottingham is packed with cafes offering delicious beverages and afternoon tea. For the full afternoon tea experience, head to Hart’s Nottingham. Here you can expect Finger sandwiches made with Hambleton Bakery bread, followed by light and fluffy scones served with jam and clotted cream.

Green spaces, parks and nature

Nottingham is one of the greenest cities in the UK with parks, public gardens and recreation grounds galore. It is rare you find a city that is so lively and entertaining, that also benefits from wide open spaces where you can think and relax. With TripAdvisor favourites including Nottingham Arboretum, Colwick Country Park, Forest Recreation Ground, Highfields Park, Woodthorpe Grange Park and Valley Road Park to name but a few, you are spoilt for choice.

Its 19th century Arboretum contains more than 800 trees, a rose garden and boating lake, while Forest Recreation Ground features acres of space to picnic, promenade or play. There is nothing better than getting away from the hustle and bustle of city-living than spending your weekend breathing in fresh air, enjoying stunning scenery and of course capturing these moments on Instagram.

Just beyond the city limits is Attenborough Nature Reserve, home to thousands of birds and a fascinating nature centre which has won awards for eco-tourism. With plenty of hidden gems to explore each weekend, you will be able to rest, recuperate and reset before work on Monday.

Sustainable fashion and vintage steals

If you love clothes and shopping but hate fast fashion, then Nottingham is the perfect place to potter. Head to 101 Vintage for USA vintage and retro clothing, Cow for guilt-free shopping and Soul and Flare to buy investment pieces and even take part in a workshop if that appeals. Students love trailing the streets for outfits to model in the bars and clubs so you’d better set your alarm early if you want to find those vintage treasures.

Sporting fanatics

If you love sport and enjoy watching the game with friends and family, then Nottingham is the perfect place to live. Nottingham was christened “The Home of Sport” in 2015, highlighting the city’s contribution to British sporting life. There are more sports facilities here per person than anywhere else in Europe, and ample opportunities to watch or get involved.

Whichever game you follow, you’re likely to find it here. Nottingham is home to two football teams, Nottingham Forest and Notts County, a test match cricket ground, and national ice and water sports centres. Love spotting a sporting celebrity? Several Team GB squads are based here, including world champion speed skaters, so you may end up standing next to them doing your weekly shop. There are plenty of bars and pubs that live stream big events so if you love watching with a crowd, you won’t be short of moral support.

Historical sites

Despite the mass of bars, clubs and pubs, Nottingham is a historical hotspot. It features many old buildings and venues that are of key importance in history and are available for you to explore. The city has its own castle, which was an occasional royal residence in the Middle Ages. There are museums to suit almost every historical interest, from the family-friendly Robin Hood Experience, via the National Justice Museum, to the morbid Haunted Museum, with 1920s horror movie cinema. Wollaton Hall is a 16th century country house known as the “architectural sensation of its age”. It is one of the country’s finest Grade I listed Elizabethan buildings with the largest dedicated Natural History Museum in Nottinghamshire.

If you have young children, they will love the herds of deer and a range of wildlife that roam through the 500 acres of parkland at Wollaton. This is just the tip of the iceberg as Nottingham is filled with galleries to visit, museums to explore and history to unravel.

Transport

If you have ever lived in the countryside, you’ll know the importance of getting from A to B with minimal effort and expense. Nottingham is a great place to live if you like the ease of jumping on a bus, train or tram to get to your destination. Nottingham boasts a handy tram network which reduces inner city congestion by up to 14% according to the Campaign for Better Transport.

This compact city has everything you need, all the shops, restaurants and bars you’d expect from a major city, packed into a city centre that’s easy to navigate. Nottingham has an excellent bus and tram network with a range of travel deals and discounts for students so you’ll never be forced to miss an incredible day or night out.

Travel by bike? Nottingham City Council has several secure Nottingham Cycle Parks for people to park their bikes across the city. They act as a convenient place for cyclists to keep their bikes safe and are all well-lit, covered, monitored by CCTV.

Comedy at your fingertips

If you love a giggle with your friends then you’ll be pleased to hear that Nottingham is home to some really great comedy clubs including Glee Club and Just the Tonic that attract big-name and up-and-coming comics.

Larger venues like the Motorpoint Arena, Theatre Royal and Nottingham Playhouse are also great comedy destinations. Previous acts have included Lee Evans, Sarah Millican and Michael McIntyre.

Fancy jumping on the mic yourself? Head to NFC! Comedy where they host a range of different events where you can showcase your talent.

Live music and gigs

Gig addict? With a 10,000-capacity arena, the famous Rock City, and a host of intimate venues, Nottingham is a musical hot destination. Stealth is the Midlands mecca for dance fans, and at the Rescue Rooms, you’ll find big artists, up-and-coming acts, and everyone in between. With so many students desperate to be in a band and showcase their new songs, you may end up discovering a group before they hit the big time.

Exercise and gym sessions

If you love getting fit in time for summer and you want to have easy access to all the equipment you need to do so then Nottingham is ideal. Nottingham boasts fantastic opportunities for outdoor exercise, whether that’s running around Wollaton Park, rowing along the River Trent or cycling through the city centre, but how about supplementing your daily activity with regular visits to one of the local gyms? With a vast range of options including Virgin Active, The Gym Group, David Llyod, Nuffield Health and Pure Gym to name but a few, there are plenty of price points to choose from.

Joining a gym doesn’t have to be just about getting fit, it can also be a great way to socialise with family and friends.

Whether you are looking to exercise before or after work, or looking for a gym nearer to home, you will be spoiled for choice in Nottingham.