Discussion
blade7 said:
I've been there a few times, doesn't seem too terrible. Looking on Rightmove £300k buys a big house, so is it over run with do as they likeys or a reasonable relocation from Huntingdon ?
Lots and lots of houses on wheels around that area. If you want to be out that way, as a general rule, the closer you get to Ely the nicer it'll be in North Cambs (though with one caveat- Littleport is well worth avoiding too). There are, however, some OK villages around there but they vary in pleasantness quite noticeably.
Alternatively go East into Norfolk, eg Downham area. As usual though, prices go up as area improves, Ely itself is expensive now.
I lived in Outwell, 5 miles south of Whizzbang, for 6 years until 2013. No problems. Yes, there are a lot of eastern Europeans doing farm work. Watching them out in the fields in all weathers, doing 10 hour shifts bent double cutting broccoli, gave me a new respect from them. I would have lasted about 20 minutes.
Wisbech itself is ok, the north east side of the town less so. Plenty of supermarket choice, easy access to Peterborough and Kings Lynn. The Eastern Europeans tend to murder each other, not the locals.
The villages to the east and south are fine. I would avoid the area to the west toward Parson Drove - more than a bit . If it ain't tied down it vanishes.
I moved there to own a secluded bungalow with 8 acres and six stables, for about the price of a phone box in Cambridge. No regrets, only moved when our requirements changed to needing a different and very specific type of house in a hurry. We found one, but outside Newark on Trent. If there had been a suitable house near Whizzbang I would have bought it, and I have grandchildren, dogs, horses, cats, and cars to worry about.
Wisbech itself is ok, the north east side of the town less so. Plenty of supermarket choice, easy access to Peterborough and Kings Lynn. The Eastern Europeans tend to murder each other, not the locals.
The villages to the east and south are fine. I would avoid the area to the west toward Parson Drove - more than a bit . If it ain't tied down it vanishes.
I moved there to own a secluded bungalow with 8 acres and six stables, for about the price of a phone box in Cambridge. No regrets, only moved when our requirements changed to needing a different and very specific type of house in a hurry. We found one, but outside Newark on Trent. If there had been a suitable house near Whizzbang I would have bought it, and I have grandchildren, dogs, horses, cats, and cars to worry about.
I was thinking about viewing a nice looking house in the town. 4 bed detached with a double garage on a small development of similar houses, but I read some articles in the local paper and it seems the locals and the large eastern European population in the town don't get on. That and the place nearly flooding 2 years ago doesn't inspire me to relocate there.
I moved out in May 2013, but had owned my new house near Newark since January. Simply don't remember.
North Brink area is fine, but is north of the river. Depends on where you work. If south of Wisbech then live to the south. There are only three ways across the river, two in the town centre and one at Guyhirn.
North Brink area is fine, but is north of the river. Depends on where you work. If south of Wisbech then live to the south. There are only three ways across the river, two in the town centre and one at Guyhirn.
700 years ago the whole area was submerged and Wisbech, Littleport etc were just that - ports.
In the 1600s the Dukes of Bedford drained the area and installed pumping stations and sluices.
A modern version of this system still operates today, and the surplus water is pumped out.
My 8 acres was between 2 and 6 feet above sea level. The bottoms of the surrounding ditches were 10 feet below sea level and were virtually dry in summer. The water is pumped put by the drainage authority, who maintain the ditches with 20 tonne diggers. In the worst weather I had a little surface water in one or two fields. That's all. I think it's actually the driest garden I have had anywhere in East Anglia, and my previous 3 houses were not in overtly problem areas.
Oh, and the A1101 at Welney can be closed by 4ft deep floods for three months in the winter. Affects traffic to Ely, not to Huntingdon.
In the 1600s the Dukes of Bedford drained the area and installed pumping stations and sluices.
A modern version of this system still operates today, and the surplus water is pumped out.
My 8 acres was between 2 and 6 feet above sea level. The bottoms of the surrounding ditches were 10 feet below sea level and were virtually dry in summer. The water is pumped put by the drainage authority, who maintain the ditches with 20 tonne diggers. In the worst weather I had a little surface water in one or two fields. That's all. I think it's actually the driest garden I have had anywhere in East Anglia, and my previous 3 houses were not in overtly problem areas.
Oh, and the A1101 at Welney can be closed by 4ft deep floods for three months in the winter. Affects traffic to Ely, not to Huntingdon.
Wisbech/March - weird places. Tony Martin did the right thing there its full of 'em.
Strange 'Fen Folk' everywhere and utterly bleak outside of villages.
Lots of Eastern Europeans.
Not much else apart from 14,000 acres of sky and strange things on a full moon.
If you're moving from a village or town with hills and views you will find it 'odd'
That's why its cheap.
Strange 'Fen Folk' everywhere and utterly bleak outside of villages.
Lots of Eastern Europeans.
Not much else apart from 14,000 acres of sky and strange things on a full moon.
If you're moving from a village or town with hills and views you will find it 'odd'
That's why its cheap.
SB7 said:
Lots and lots of houses on wheels around that area. If you want to be out that way, as a general rule, the closer you get to Ely the nicer it'll be in North Cambs (though with one caveat- Littleport is well worth avoiding too).
There are, however, some OK villages around there but they vary in pleasantness quite noticeably.
Alternatively go East into Norfolk, eg Downham area. As usual though, prices go up as area improves, Ely itself is expensive now.
I live in Littleport...it's not that bad! It does get a bad rep locally but I'm not sure how much it's moved on. East Cambs in general is a little odd (landscape, housing etc) but we've been welcomed by our neighbours and enjoy it here. We also managed to get a 3 bed detached house with lots of space for around £200k (that's risen to £235k in two years). We've got a great pub in walking distance right on the river, local dentist, butcher, hairdressers and shops etc. London is direct into Kings X on the train in around 1 hr 15 mins, not bad. New cinema and leisure complex scheduled for development early next year too! It'll soon be the place to be...maybe!There are, however, some OK villages around there but they vary in pleasantness quite noticeably.
Alternatively go East into Norfolk, eg Downham area. As usual though, prices go up as area improves, Ely itself is expensive now.
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