places to live near cambridge
Discussion
Hey guys,
I currently live in Ipswich and work in bury st edmunds. My OH is planning on moving up to live with me after university so we are looking for places to live. We are both young (22 years old) so want to be close(ish) to cambridge for nights out etc. However i want to be closer to work (i drive) but have good links to cambridge (the OH can't drive) for work and whatnot.
Any ideas of good places to live? I know newmarket is an option but its abit of a s
tehole (unless you can convince me otherwise)
I currently live in Ipswich and work in bury st edmunds. My OH is planning on moving up to live with me after university so we are looking for places to live. We are both young (22 years old) so want to be close(ish) to cambridge for nights out etc. However i want to be closer to work (i drive) but have good links to cambridge (the OH can't drive) for work and whatnot.
Any ideas of good places to live? I know newmarket is an option but its abit of a s
tehole (unless you can convince me otherwise)There are some decent villages around the area.
I live just north of Cmabridge in Histon and there are many other villages nearby, just check google maps. Most of them have cheap houses if you want a simple 2up2down with a small garden.
If you want somewhere nearer, there is Ely which has good train connections to London or the North.
Then you have places like Sawston and Shelford which are much bigger to the south and are close to the M11. You'll generally be able to find something you want, either small or big.
I live just north of Cmabridge in Histon and there are many other villages nearby, just check google maps. Most of them have cheap houses if you want a simple 2up2down with a small garden.
If you want somewhere nearer, there is Ely which has good train connections to London or the North.
Then you have places like Sawston and Shelford which are much bigger to the south and are close to the M11. You'll generally be able to find something you want, either small or big.
Depends on whether you want to rent or buy....... the only problem with cambridge properties are they are so bloody expensive...... is it worth living in cambridge and paying a small fortune for the privilage but having no money to take advantage of the "night life" ??
Newmarket isn't exactly a S***hole, its all down to what you're looking for, as with most towns it has the good estates and the "dated" estates. Its got a couple of clubs and in the better weather the Races are a plus attraction.
I live in Bury and it's "ok", nothing special but does what it says on the tin, but in 6 months i'll be looking to move to Red Lodge to be nearer my son so will then have the option of Bury or Newmarket to go out in, and TBH Newmarket will prob win the decision.
Newmarket isn't exactly a S***hole, its all down to what you're looking for, as with most towns it has the good estates and the "dated" estates. Its got a couple of clubs and in the better weather the Races are a plus attraction.
I live in Bury and it's "ok", nothing special but does what it says on the tin, but in 6 months i'll be looking to move to Red Lodge to be nearer my son so will then have the option of Bury or Newmarket to go out in, and TBH Newmarket will prob win the decision.
I used to live in Gt Chesterford, perfect for access to A14, M11 and mainline train to London/Cambridge within walking distance. Also have lived in north Cambridge, Chesterton which is an okay area and within easy access of A14 and walking to city centre.
Depending on how close you need to be, saffron walden or bishop stortford are also options depending on your budget.
Depending on how close you need to be, saffron walden or bishop stortford are also options depending on your budget.
Hello
Depends on priorities. Buying/renting, village or town, want shops nearby or lovely views.
If your commuting to Bury you'll want to be the Bury side of Cambridge as the A14 around Cambridge in the morning/evening can turn in to a car park. Newmarket is probably a good bet.
Some of the estates on the North side aren't brill but probably better than Chantry in Ipswich
Shopping isn't great but you do have Cambridge and Bury to choose from as well.
There is a regular bus and train service to Cambridge, so your mrs should be OK to get to work.
Bury is 10mins drive and Cambridge about 20mins. Public transport all goes via Newmarket so could take 1.5 hours to get to Cambridge.
Use this http://www.travelineeastanglia.org.uk to check routes and times.
Hope that helps
Depends on priorities. Buying/renting, village or town, want shops nearby or lovely views.
If your commuting to Bury you'll want to be the Bury side of Cambridge as the A14 around Cambridge in the morning/evening can turn in to a car park. Newmarket is probably a good bet.
Shortie123 said:
Newmarket isn't exactly a S***hole, its all down to what you're looking for, as with most towns it has the good estates and the "dated" estates.
I totally agree. I know why it has a bad reputation but it isn't that bad especially compared with Ipswich (I used to live there). There are a lot of young stable hands who are up for a few beers/party. This does lead to a bit of trouble now and again, but nothing compared with a city centre. I have never felt unsafe on a night out in town. Some of the estates on the North side aren't brill but probably better than Chantry in Ipswich
Shopping isn't great but you do have Cambridge and Bury to choose from as well.
There is a regular bus and train service to Cambridge, so your mrs should be OK to get to work.
Shortie123 said:
In 6 months i'll be looking to move to Red Lodge
Red Lodge is a bit of a commuter village but definatley "up and coming". I would say that as we live there Bury is 10mins drive and Cambridge about 20mins. Public transport all goes via Newmarket so could take 1.5 hours to get to Cambridge.
Use this http://www.travelineeastanglia.org.uk to check routes and times.
Hope that helps
Don't think I've introduced myself on the East Anglia forum yet; Hi!
Me & the GF live out in Witchford near Ely and were in a similar situation about 9 months ago, as my GF can't drive. Used to live in Norwich and work in Suffolk (GF) and Cambridge (me). We decided to move nearer to my work and friends, whilst the GF looks after our new son.
I'd echo the others who mentioned Ely as being a good location - its a nice small town (theoretically a city) with great train links to Cambridge; I actually cycle into Ely station daily rather than drive to Cambridge as its generally quicker and less stressful. Not so sure about driving daily to Bury. Think there's a train from Ely as some sort of back up, I presume the A142->A14 route would be OK at commuting times, but not really got much experience of it.
Regarding Newmarket; if your OH needs to get into Cambridge daily, then I'd warn you that the train from Newmarket to Cambridge is a bit rubbish, in my experience. Very over crowded at peak time, ancient and fairly regularly cancelled. I guess that its probably bearable just going the short distance from Cambridge to Newmarket, though.
Generally, (and this is what we faced when choosing where to live), getting into Cambridge by public transport really means you need to be somewhere on one of the train lines. The buses are, currently, pretty useless for timely journeys into Cambridge.
Me & the GF live out in Witchford near Ely and were in a similar situation about 9 months ago, as my GF can't drive. Used to live in Norwich and work in Suffolk (GF) and Cambridge (me). We decided to move nearer to my work and friends, whilst the GF looks after our new son.
I'd echo the others who mentioned Ely as being a good location - its a nice small town (theoretically a city) with great train links to Cambridge; I actually cycle into Ely station daily rather than drive to Cambridge as its generally quicker and less stressful. Not so sure about driving daily to Bury. Think there's a train from Ely as some sort of back up, I presume the A142->A14 route would be OK at commuting times, but not really got much experience of it.
Regarding Newmarket; if your OH needs to get into Cambridge daily, then I'd warn you that the train from Newmarket to Cambridge is a bit rubbish, in my experience. Very over crowded at peak time, ancient and fairly regularly cancelled. I guess that its probably bearable just going the short distance from Cambridge to Newmarket, though.
Generally, (and this is what we faced when choosing where to live), getting into Cambridge by public transport really means you need to be somewhere on one of the train lines. The buses are, currently, pretty useless for timely journeys into Cambridge.
Some lovely villages and places around Cambridge. As others have said, money will be the main factor. Also, might be worth waiting to see where your GF gets work. If its not in Cambridge, then that can help your decision.
Ely is a lovely place, but very popular with commuters. Loads of new houses been built there, and prices do seem higher than other towns / villages in that part of Cambridgeshire. A10 from Ely to Cambridge is a nightmare - but then again any road into Cambridge is - such as the A14 and A428 etc. Ely has train station which is handy but dont think you can always use the train to get into work in CAmbridge. The trainstation in Cambridge is at the opposite side to where most of the work is. Ive worked in Cambridge for the last 11 years in different jobs and never once been anywhere near the station.
Other places to consider are Fordham, Soham, Oakington, Histon, Cherry Hinton, pretty much anywhere really on the outskirts of Cambridge but preferably nearer to Bury if thats where you work at the moment.
The further out of Cambridge you get the cheaper the prices for housing. I personally live 45miles out of Cambridge as it meant whilst I have a commute of anywhere between 40mins and 1hr40mins most days, it means my house cost me around 1/3rd of what the same house in Cambridge would cost me.
Nightlife can be a factor if your young, but Cambridge prices are expensive for drinks / meals out. Any village / town with a few nice pubs could be the answer - like Witchford - lovely pub there (although landlady was a bit mad), Ely has a few pubs and Prezzo / Pizza Express, ive even had a nice few nights out in Newmarket although I did notice the atmosphere there seemed not as relaxed for some reason.
With any new location, it really pays to do your research first tho and check out all aspects of where your thinking of living.
Ely is a lovely place, but very popular with commuters. Loads of new houses been built there, and prices do seem higher than other towns / villages in that part of Cambridgeshire. A10 from Ely to Cambridge is a nightmare - but then again any road into Cambridge is - such as the A14 and A428 etc. Ely has train station which is handy but dont think you can always use the train to get into work in CAmbridge. The trainstation in Cambridge is at the opposite side to where most of the work is. Ive worked in Cambridge for the last 11 years in different jobs and never once been anywhere near the station.
Other places to consider are Fordham, Soham, Oakington, Histon, Cherry Hinton, pretty much anywhere really on the outskirts of Cambridge but preferably nearer to Bury if thats where you work at the moment.
The further out of Cambridge you get the cheaper the prices for housing. I personally live 45miles out of Cambridge as it meant whilst I have a commute of anywhere between 40mins and 1hr40mins most days, it means my house cost me around 1/3rd of what the same house in Cambridge would cost me.
Nightlife can be a factor if your young, but Cambridge prices are expensive for drinks / meals out. Any village / town with a few nice pubs could be the answer - like Witchford - lovely pub there (although landlady was a bit mad), Ely has a few pubs and Prezzo / Pizza Express, ive even had a nice few nights out in Newmarket although I did notice the atmosphere there seemed not as relaxed for some reason.
With any new location, it really pays to do your research first tho and check out all aspects of where your thinking of living.
rabbitstew said:
like Witchford - lovely pub there (although landlady was a bit mad)
Yeah, it is a nice pub. Just out of interest, what did she do? I've not been in there enough to see much mad behaviour (only lived here for 9 months or so, and most of the evenings have been taken up with looking after our newborn).Regarding the Cambridge train commute - yeah it is a pain for those at the science park or elsewhere far from the station; I've been lucky, my employer is just near the end of station road. Though when I actually lived in Cambridge years ago I found myself having to commute out to Great Shelford.
Edited by aizvara on Friday 25th February 21:48
I used to work in Cambridge and a lot of the blokes I worked with lived in Soham if they had no money, or Burwell if they had money!
I've had many a good night out in Newmarket, although there are a lot of horsey types with small man syndrome who get a bit punchy after a few beers.
I used to commute through Red Lodge and you used to have to dodge the tumble weeds, nothing ever looked finished there! Best bit was the 24 hour cafe after a night out. It's changed a lot now though with loads of new houses and a bypass.
I've had many a good night out in Newmarket, although there are a lot of horsey types with small man syndrome who get a bit punchy after a few beers.
I used to commute through Red Lodge and you used to have to dodge the tumble weeds, nothing ever looked finished there! Best bit was the 24 hour cafe after a night out. It's changed a lot now though with loads of new houses and a bypass.
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