NR2

Pubs - some lovely ones and some which are more "going on a date" pubs than proper locals and some which are a bit s**t. Depending what you like though you'll find something. Honestly NR3 is better for pubs, from having lived recently in both (still in NR3 and planning to stay a very long time); but I could always find a good pint in NR2 depending on mood (I did/did not fancy a chat, did/did not want music, did/did not want to see a game on a big telly - lots of choices to satisfy any combination of those).

Shops - some great places just on normal roads, like Dozen bakery (proper artseanal sourdough s**t and all that) and there's a great fish place just along from there, Kofra is great though overpriced coffee.

Takeaways - spoiled for choice, lots of great ones depending on your preferred cuisine. Namaste Village is veggie but also the most authentically Indian curry house I've found in the Fine City. Lots of great Chinese options, Thai, Sushi, Fish and Chips, whatever you fancy really. Same for meals out and as APB says the market has some great options as well. Junkyard Market has good reviews, though I've not been.

If you've got kids and/or Fentons Eaton Park will be a great place to take them, there's another smaller park nearby as well and if you go through the back of Eaton Park you get to the lake on the UEA campus which is gorgeous. If you are dog free the Plantation Garden, by the Catholic cathedral, is a real hidden gem - a lot of locals even don't really know it's there. Jenny Lind park is also good for littlies and if you walk through by the old chapel drop in on Juniper Coffee Shop which is excellent. Mousehold Heath is brilliant though maybe a (short) drive for you (free parking there). For coffee the other end I'd recommend Merchant's House just on Fye Bridge (opposite the Ribs of Beef, a pub which you will need to visit, but if I start on city centre pubs we'll be here all day and I've already written a small essay).

The City centre is not large and everything is walkable, you know the Big Things already, other things to check out are the numerous heritage walks (some great suggestions here already which I won't repeat), Lady Julian's shrine/St Peter Parmentergateummything, Dragon Hall, Strangers Hall, the Utopia building; walk round the river to the Adam and Eve for a pint of Volt and then via Cow Tower to the Red Lion for a nibble before heading up Kett's Heights for an excellent view of the City and then down for a quick one in Lollards Pit (if you don't know the history of that, it's worth knowing - ditto Kett, Wat Tyler and so on, we've been a bit rebellious over the years). The library is multi-award-winning and if you go there you'll see why.

If you're in zoned parking get the application off asap as they take a while and don't make any allowances for you having just moved in. Worth getting a set of scratchcards for any visitors you might have they're not expensive and it's handy if someone pops round who doesn't fancy a parking ticket.

Live Music - UEA and Waterfront both have an excellent selection of bands you'll have heard of, the Brickmakers is legendary for local bands, the Walnut Tree no longer does live music, you can find more or less any kind of music you like quite easily. Similarly for theatre - as well as the Theatre Royal (which is f**king expensive) check out the Maddermarket and the Playhouse. Norwich also has some really good buskers, if you hear a properly good funk band though they will try to persude you along to their Very Happy Clappy Church, so unless that's your thing might be best just to enjoy the music and walk on and not chat to them too much.

Join the NR2 Facebook group - it's great for local info and you can ask for recommendations for trades etc, as long as you can put up with the obligatory moaning about dog s**t posts any community group attracts.

Day trips - you know West Norfolk; I assume you also know North Norfolk (Holkham Hall/Wells/Blickling/Sheringham/Cromer etc); if you like big deserted beaches Winterton is great (hit the sea and walk north, you'll soon lose Other People); Gorleston has one of the best beaches in the country and there's a great walk down to Hopton and back over the golf course if you fancy it with kids/fentons, grab an ice cream half way round). Try going via Loddon rather than via Acle if you fancy a change, both routes are pretty. Or jump on a bike and go up Marriott's Way.

Going round the ring road you will come across something called the "A140". This is great in one direction - takes you to Cromer - but don't go south on that road, unless you're coming back from Cromer.

Posted By: Old Man, Jun 26, 14:29:36