9 Reasons to Start Living in Lowestoft

Nestled on the English North Sea, this coastal town is the civil parish of the county of Suffolk and is the UK’s most easterly residential area!

For anyone thinking of living in Lo0westoft, you are in the right place.

This article is designed to shine a spotlight on this wonderful area, providing anyone considering a move to the area with all of the information you need to know about this wonderful area of Suffolk.

Where is Lowestoft?

Whilst Suffolk is home to some larger residential areas, such as Ipswich, Lowestoft is East Suffolk’s largest residential area.

The town is home to around 74,000 residents, which has risen greatly since the town’s establishment.

The town has historically had a certain level of tourism, with its wide sandy beaches and beautiful seaside views. Lowestoft’s past is also rooted more in fishing.

The town’s economy was once dependent on the fishing industry, but this reliance has waned over the years.

However, Lowestoft has profited greatly from the energy industry, both the oil and gas industry have played an important role in the economy of the local area.

The town has also embraced renewable energy sources, with the Greater Gabbard wind farm, which began construction in 2009, and will be the world’s largest offshore wind farm upon completion!

Lowestoft Property Prices

Compared to some parts of the UK, especially London and the South East, Lowestoft has often been seen as more affordable.

This might make the area attractive to those looking for more value for their money or seeking a coastal lifestyle without the premium prices of more well-known coastal towns.

There are 340 homes for sale across the town, and house prices here are very enticing with the average cost according to Zoopla sitting at £228,984.

Much like homes in London, Lowestoft’s housing stock has a good range of styles.

Most of the highly prized homes are traditional three-storey or four-storey Victorian properties with balconies, bays, V-shaped gables, and oversized chimneys.

Areas like Wellington Esplanade offer more diversity with plenty of period houses on offer.

You also have the bonus of living in a seafront property with amazing sea views. Other sought-after areas in Lowestoft include Pakefield and Kirkley.

These streets offer wide roads lined with trees close to local amenities, meaning they are ideal for a variety of different buyers.

Gunton Cliff is one of the most expensive places to live, where homes sell from £500,000 upwards.

Property here is hard to come by; once purchased, these large sea-view homes very rarely change hands!

The housing market has seen a huge shift in the last few years.

The uncertainty surrounding Brexit had a huge impact on this with the COVID-19 pandemic also bringing about significant changes, with some areas experiencing a surge in demand due to shifts in work habits and a desire for more space or different surroundings.

Lowestoft has certainly seen the effect of this, with the popularity of the area soaring even as the pandemic begins to feel like a distant memory.

If you are thinking of masking the move to Lowestoft, it is always important to stay up to date with the most recent house prices, we recommend Zoopla as a great place to keep your finger on the pulse.

Renting in Lowestoft

If you are a first-time buyer or you are up or downscaling and selling your current home, renting for a time when you are unfamiliar with an area is always good advice.

Renting allows you to keep your options open, without the costly financial expense of realising you have made a mistake and need to move again.

You will also be in a better position to negotiate if you have money in the bank and are not a link in a lengthy chain of movers.

Lowestoft has a very competitive rental market, partly due to the shortage of properties available.

Rental costs start at an average of £868pcm for a one-bedroom flat, £1,176 for a 2 bed and £1,157pcm for a three-bedroom house.

Cost of Living in Lowestoft

One of the appealing aspects of living in Lowestoft is its relatively low cost of living.

The town is 9% cheaper than the UK average, with lower costs for housing, food, and transport​.

This affordability, combined with the town’s amenities, contributes to a high quality of life.

Despite being a smaller coastal town, Lowestoft offers a variety of shopping options, from big-name retailers to unique local stores, particularly in areas like the Britten Centre and the High Street.

Schools in Lowestoft

If you are considering living in Lowestoft with children, you will need to find a good school close to where you choose to live and doing your research well before you move will be essential.

There are several ways to find the best schools in your area and one of the simplest ways is to sign up with The Good Schools Guide.

It is a handy tool, packed with helpful insights perfect for parents moving to a new area with children or those thinking of changing schools in the area they currently live in.

It contains a Catchment Area Analysis System, and it also lists all the schools by neighbourhood and by their academic results.

If you are moving to a new area with children be sure to visit their website and explore your options in more detail.

Across the majority of Suffolk, there is a two-tier education system, which Lowestoft also follows.

Parents have a selection of primary schools and four secondary schools for students aged 11–16 years in the town. Gunton Primary Academy, Poplars Community Primary School, and Corton Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School have been inspected by Ofsted and found to be “good.”

East Point Academy was one of the highest-rated secondary schools and following its most recent inspection was reported to be “good” by Ofsted.

Post-16 education is provided at Lowestoft Sixth Form College.

Many school leavers attend the college, and it offers a broad range of courses.

The College has been awarded a rating of “good” across all categories and for all subject areas inspected.

East Coast College (Lowestoft Campus) provides a small range of higher education courses through affiliation with University Campus Suffolk.

Working in Lowestoft

Lowestoft offers plenty of employment opportunities for anyone thinking of moving to the area.

Finding a job will be a key consideration for those thinking of moving to Lowestoft.

Knowing what the key industries in Lowestoft are will give you a good indication of your chances of finding work here.

According to the town council’s economic forecast, the sectors that are most likely to have an impact on job creation in Lowestoft are manufacturing, leisure and tourism, office services, creative industries, and renewable energies.

Originally based on the fishing and engineering industries which have sadly declined over the years, Lowestoft has adapted and the town’s location on the North Sea coast now makes it a popular tourist destination.

This has resulted in the hospitality sector having a strong presence in the region. Other major employers in the town are in the wholesale and retail sector, making up 18 per cent of employment.

Food manufacturing is another important industry, and Birds Eye’s biggest UK frozen food factory is located in Lowestoft, employing 550 permanent staff and making up a significant proportion of the 850 staff employed by Birds Eye across the UK.

Lowestoft is also developing as a regional centre for the renewable energy industry.

Home to companies that operate in the renewable energies, oil and gas, and shipping industries, key employers include CHPV Offshore Energy Media, Global Wind Service, Trident Energy, WindCare, and World Cargo Logistics.

Alternatively, if you find you are unable to find employment within Lowestoft itself, you might want to join many of the town’s 65,000 inhabitants who make the easy commute to nearby cities like Norwich and Ipswich.

Driving to Lowestoft

Situated on the coast, Lowestoft can be reached relatively easily from several large towns and cities both locally and further afield.

So, where is Lowestoft accessible from? If you are travelling from the North, Lowestoft can be reached by the A47.

Visitors from the south will need to take the A12, with those from the west taking the A146.

Lowestoft is conveniently located around 30 miles from Norwich, meaning you can drive to the coastal town in around 50 minutes.

The town is easily reachable from Ipswich. Sitting around 45 miles from Ipswich, the drive should take around 1 hour and 15 minutes.

So, where is Lowestoft in relation to London?

The seaside town is 131 miles from the capital, meaning driving to London will take just under 3 hours, although if you are a commuter thinking of moving to the area trains will be your best option, as you are about to see.

Public Transport in Lowestoft

Where is Lowestoft connected to via rail?

Lowestoft is served by two train lines, one, the East Suffolk Line, which connects the town with Ipswich.

The fastest train from Ipswich to Lowestoft is 1 hour 26 minutes, slightly slower than driving.

Lowestoft’s second train line, The Wherry Line, connects the coastal town to Norwich.

The fastest train journey takes around 45 minutes, a far quicker option than driving.

From these major hubs of Norwich and Ipswich, passengers can get further connections to other parts of the UK, including direct services to cities such as London, Cambridge, and more.

The services from Lowestoft, especially to Norwich and Ipswich, are relatively frequent, providing good connectivity for both commuters and leisure travellers.

The primary train operating company for these routes is Greater Anglia.

Beaches

Even if you are unsure where Lowestoft is, you probably know that it is a great seaside town.

Lowestoft originally gained popularity as a seaside resort in the 18^th century.

This popularity grew throughout the Industrial Revolution when improved transport and the establishment or rail networks boosted popularity.

Lowestoft is home to some truly stunning beaches.

It is no surprise that it has earned the nickname ‘the Sunrise Coast’!

Two main beaches are available in the town.

Both are situated south of the harbour.

Both the Claremont Pier and South Pier provide beachgoers with a range of activities to enjoy.

The beach south of Claremont Pier is recognised for its environmental cleanliness, having achieved blue flag status.

The tourism industry in Lowestoft is sadly not as strong as it once was.

Cheap international travel has had a huge impact on many coastal towns which once relied on the tourism industry.

However, Lowestoft’s beaches are still beautifully maintained.

Locals have excellent access to these beaches, meaning it is a great place to live.

Whilst less interest in UK-based holidays may have negative impacts on some seaside towns, locals are still able to have great entry to so many stunning locations.

If you are a lover of the seaside, Lowestoft is the perfect home for you!

Shopping in Lowestoft

Lowestoft is home to a range of excellent shopping amenities.

A day out shopping in Lowestoft is full of great retail stores as well as unique local stores.

The town is home to over 40 shops with a selection to suit all.

Big-name retailers selling the latest in fashion include Animal, Joules, Wallis, Superdry and Ben Sherman.

Head to the Britten Centre, the hub of retail shopping in Lowestoft.

A spot of retail therapy is always on the table when living in Lowestoft.

Attractions and Things to Do

Lowestoft’s golden sandy beaches are a major draw, recognised for their environmental cleanliness with Blue Flag awards.

The North and South beaches are perfect for family outings, offering a range of activities from beachcombing to water sports.

The Royal Plain Fountains, with their 74 individual water jets, provide a stunning visual spectacle, especially in the evenings​.

For wildlife enthusiasts, the nearby Africa Alive! park offers the chance to see a variety of animals in a natural setting, making it a fantastic day out for all ages​.

Ready to Start Living in Lowestoft?

Are you thinking of making the move to Lowestoft?

Whether you want to enjoy some family time at the beautiful local beaches, find a fantastic deal on stunning different properties, or enjoy a day of retail therapy in one of the town’s numerous shops, Lowestoft has something for everyone.

Lowestoft presents a multitude of great areas with a range of exceptional property types, there is certainly a home for all.

GoodMove will make your move to Lowestoft a smooth and easy process.

We take great delight in certifying your move runs efficiently and effortlessly, helping you to arrive at your new home in no time at all.

As well as our competitively priced removals package, we can also provide extra services such as short-term or long-term storage should you need it.

GoodMove covers all areas of Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex and our friendly estimators can call round at a convenient time for you and strategically plan your move to perfection.

During these exceptional times, GoodMove are also offering a new video survey service.

Using our new technology, we can gather all the information required to assist with your move, from the comfort of your home!

Video surveys will help you save valuable time and go a long way to maintaining the best safety levels.

To find out more about how we could get your dream move to Lowestoft or any other location underway do not hesitate to call us on the number listed above.

Alternatively, fill out a quick quote form or click on our live bot in the bottom right and a member of our customer services team will be in touch shortly.