Peterborough - what is it actually like?

[DidNancyDraw]

Hi Everyone,
I'm looking for some inside info about life in The Big P :)
We (me, husband, 2 kids) are moving back to the UK after 4 years away and are looking for a place to settle.
Peterborough seems to tick a few boxes in terms of location, commutability, etc but it's really hard to work out if it's a nice place to live or not.
On the Google maps I can can see it has loads of parks, some theatres, a cool looking outdoor lido/pool, decent shopping, lots of schools and some nice looking areas. But then I keep finding blogs with loads of people slagging the place off. they talk about the city being dangerous and full of dodgy people, they say it's chavvy and there's nothing to do.
Can anyone who lives there let me know what they think, especially in terms of moving in with young kids?
I know the general wisdom is the surrounding villages are nicer but that doesn't necessarily mean the the city is awful? or does it?
Thanks
Nxx

[Dashper]

I think Peterborough is what you make it.
It's not always the most broad-minded place, few graduate employers now, the council seems bizarrely anti-cyclist and there is some pretty anti-social behaviour BUT yes to:
Parks, including Ferry Meadows on the outskirts.
The river is central-ish so good for walks.
Lido is lovely in the summer.
Key Theatre and The Cresset further out.
Festivals such as the historical festival in the summer, which is brilliant.
The Green Backyard which is a community space near the river.
Schools are a bit hit and miss and there are druggies (but aren't there everywhere?).
I'd take it over one of the villages. I grew up in the countryside which was wonderful but here we have lots within walking/cycling distance.
Obviously you should avoid some areas but Woodston has a great community.
Our DS is 3. We find lots to do with him. His nursery school is good and the feeder infant school is excellent. And there are lots of trains to watch round our way.
Look at the house prices too

[DidNancyDraw]

Thanks Dashper.
I certainly agree that it's basically impossible to find a ton of any reasonable size that has no anti-social behavior or druggies.
That's just the way things are these days.
I'll take a closer look at Woodston as you suggest, but which are the areas to avoid?
Nxx

[Dashper]

Avoid Parnwell and Eastfield Road, Millfield, Bretton is ok-ish but a bit soulless, some of the Ortons (not sure which I'm afraid).

[ALocalNameForLocalPeople]

I live in Woodston, just off of Oundle Road, but my area is a little scabby - it's not always the most pleasant area to be. Agree Parnwell is to be avoided, along with Welland and most of the Ortons. Loads of people think Bretton is amazing, no idea why!

As for the city centre itself, I don't mind it. I'm not originally from Peterborough, but if you live in enough cities, they all start to look the same so I can't find anything really offputting about the place. I've been here nearly 5 years now, and do consider it home.

There have been a couple of gang related stabbings in the city centre recently, but other than that, I wouldn't say that the crime rate is any higher than any other city. Same goes for the drug problem - I know someone who works for the local addiction support agency, and she says most of the drug addicts and alcoholics she comes across are pretty much harmless, but a lot ARE homeless or in temporary accommodation, so you see a lot of them about.

[Casz]

The Ortons are not as bad as you may hear. They are all close to Ferry Meadows country park. Good bus service every 10 minutes into the city centre and close to the A1.

Orton Waterville and Orton Longueville are older villages, now part of the city. They are very nice. The other Ortons are townships built since the 1980s - pretty soulless, could be anywhere. Of these, Orton Wistow is the nicest, most of Orton Brimbles is ok.

Orton Southgate residential area is still being built, nice houses, few facilities, very close to the show ground. The rest of Orton Southgate is an industrial estate, prone to illegal car drifting. Much of Orton Goldhay and Orton Malbourne are less than lovely.

[NippleHairDontCare]

I like Peterborough and don't think its as bad as people make out. I agree with what's been said so far. Its a very small city, so not lots to do, not much decent nightlife, but I have found plenty of stuff on for kids and myself too, when I've looked for it.
I also live in woodston and love the community feel here, most of fletton is OK and stanground nice too.

[thefemaleJoshLyman]

I like Peterborough and get cross when it is slated. We live in a lovely part of the Ortons and it really is like a village. I prefer south of the city; Orton, Fletton and Woodston. It is a great place to bring up a family, lots to do including Ferry Meadows, cinemas, swimming pools, trampolining etc.... and easy to get to London for days out.

[Lobster12345]

I live in Orton Longuevile which is lovely. Our local primary school is great. We have Orton Mere and Ferry Meadows on our doorstep which we use a lot. It's growing quickly which means new facilities opening up all the time. Transport links to London are fast and reliable but very expensive (i commute). It's very diverse in its population. There are run down areas as in any city this size. Sure it's true for other places too but there's plenty of low paid temp style jobs but not a large number of well paid secure jobs. Also lots of chain restaurants and cafes but not many independent ones.

[pigeoninthepantry]

I live near Peterborough and have been in the area all my life so know it pretty well.

What you have to remember is that all cities have their good and bad areas, so yes P does have antisocial issues like any city, but generally I think it's a good place to have as your base. Its close to lots of other places, the shopping and eating out is great, theres lots of things for families here.

would you be renting or buying when you come?

The areas to avoid would generally be the eastfield, lincoln road new england areas. North Bretton is a total dive but south bretton is okay :)

Other areas to avoud are parnwell, ravensthorpe, welland,. Some of the ortons are okay, Orton Longueville, waterville and wistow are okay. Avoid Goldhay at all costs!

Gunthorpe, netherton are okay. The villages are all decent such as newborough, castor, wansford, wittering. Werrington is a good place. Hampton is popular with families. Lots of choice and generally lots of good housing for a decent price

[pattiesplum]

Agree with what has been written previously.

Lots a really nice villages all round Peterborough. I would pick one of those.

House prices are pretty good.

Road and rail networks are good.

London 1 hour away on the train. Norfolk and Lincolnshire coast about the same.

[Pb3444]

I agree with the places to avoid and the good places to live. Wittering is quiet and with low crime but a bit difficult to get anywhere, one bus an hour which finishes at 6pm. There is the A47 on one side and the A1 on the other. Frequent accidents on the A1 which can affect travel to stamford or Peterborough.There is a hairdressers, barber, chinese take away, fish and chip shop, car garage, Spar shop, coffee shop and a WI. The school has 300 ish pupils, 70% military, good ofsted rating. Kids can play out quite happily.
If I was choosing, I think I would go for Market Deeping, Stamford, Bourne, Morton, Wansford, Orton Waterville or Longueville.

[EdgeOfGlory266]

Peterborough is what you make it. I've lived here my entire life and currently live in South Bretton. We never have any trouble this end a generally get a bad rep but there are lots of families around and a real sense of community with neighbours looking out for you. North Bretton is a bit iffy. I wouldn't live there personally. But the primary school I'm next to is in the top 10 in Peterborough. The secondary school is the same one I went to and it's got really good grade history. Bretton Centre is great too. Some places get written off without actually knowing them well. I lived in the Sugar Way estate in Woodston which is classed as an upper class area and had my car and home broken into. So you can bad things about anywhere. We have actually just accepted an offer on our home and have bought a house in Bourne, so will be off in a few months. I'm quite excited to be living in a small town. House prices are great, schools are fab and not to far from the city. We're moving to be nearer to friends and family and I'm actually quite sad to be leaving my home. But glad I will still be close to be able to come into Peterborough whenever I want. It's not a bad city at all. Every city has it's ups and downs.

[Rosita]

I'd like to revive this thread as I'm trying to figure out where some of the nice areas to live mentioned actually are. We are looking to rent within very close proximity to the train station. It has to be that way for various reasons. Can someone help tell me what the areas directly around the station are called? It's a bit difficult to find out from a map.

[notsureaboutthisreally]

Rosita - I don't know if you are still looking for information or not. It really depends on what you mean by close proximity?

We live in a good area 20 minutes walk / 10 minutes by cycle to the train station in Peterborough, but good areas close to the station in Peterborough are few and far between. They also tend to be more expensive than further out. It also depends whether you want a flat or house with flats being much easier to come by.

I'd suggest you try around Thorpe Road, Charlotte Way or possibly Netherton or Longthorpe if you want a house. Thorpe Road also has flats and there are some decent flats in the Town Centre.

Areas to avoid - New England / Millfield, West Town and Mayors Walk.

[JulieanneD]

I am hoping to relocate from Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk to the Spalding area, I will be transferring from the Sainsbury's in my home town to the Spalding store. Can anyone please tell me the nicer areas of Spalding itself plus other villages surrounding the town. I am a middle aged woman moving up on her own with my dog and am looking for a small 2 bed house with garden and allocated parking or off road parking up to £140,000. I know Pinchbeck is nice also Moulton, but can't afford Moulton. So far I have only visited Holbeach and was not overly keen on it to be honest. There seems to be a lot of properties for sale on the Bourne Road in Spalding, is this because it is not a nice part of the town. Also what is the Wygate Park and Woolram Wygate area like, it looks like a large new housing estate. Thanking in advance.






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JulieanneD Wed 30-May-18 11:37:06

What are the areas to definitely avoid and I am looking for mains gas central heating and double glazing also. Thanks.

[Racecardriver]

Pretty horrid. Very Chavvy as you say. But it dies have a pretty good waitrose and a bellow average John Lewis. Very difficult of you don't drive (it is horrible to get around on foot). Schools are mostly pretty rubbish in comparison to other places. There is a below standard private school, a bellow standard grammar school etc. The locals vary from friendly and down to earth to grubby and grumpy to not actually local. Lots of new builds in the area so a lot if new people have moved here. If you are going to live in Peterborough it is only Toller able if you like on park road, Broad way or thorpe Road and the roads that immediately come off of thosr or cathedral Square. There is very little to do here but the countryside is easily accessible as is London so good for commuting. If you are able to drive half and hour plus to get children to school then that's one thing but I wouldn't send mine to any of the schools in Peterborough.

[Court77]

Hi, looking for some help I am currently about to relocate to Peterborough from north west. I have seen a house in Lyvelly Gardens, does anyone know where this is? If so what is the area like? is it ok for families? I have a 3 year old. Any help on areas to look would be much appreciated as I’m struggling to find places that will accept pets. Thanks x

[Theworldisfullofgs]

Which is the below standard grammar school? I didn't think there was a grammar school in peterborough?

[eveykins7]

I have been offered a new job which will have a base in peterborough, i will involve travelling. however my partner will need to continue to commute to London (at least for 6 or 7 months.

I guess the big question is do i stick close as i can in the nice areas of peterborough or do i look at the outer villages.

I have not actually visited the area - just a lot of internet searching. I have heard that Stanford and surrounding areas (in Lincs) are the best to consider. Or would a move towards more Cambridge be better.

I obviously need to consider nursery/schools but any advice on areas, trains etc all would be amazingly helpful.

I'm now getting worried by the reviews of even the private schools being bad in the peterborough area- but as mentioned thats as i have read only older reviews.

move to take place in Jan.

TIA

[Theworldisfullofgs]

I live in north Cambridgeshire. My ds goes to an excellent secondary school in peterborough. He gets the train. Dh gets the train to London (1 hour).

Our village primary is v v good and where both mind went. Dd is now at sixth form in Cambridge. The nurserys here are good.

I don't live in peterborough so can't really comment on living there. Shopping is fine. I also really like the lido in summer.

Personally unless you don't drive I'd live in a village. I know it's a pain to drive into peterborough to get the train and parking , so that's why we chose to live in a village, that is close to one train stop further south.

[Theworldisfullofgs]

If you pm me I can give you details of primary schools in the north cambs area.

[Life87123]

Hello Everyone.
We are moving to Peterborough may be in 20 days time. We have a 7 month year old baby with us. When my brother in law was house hunting for us, most agents said that in some apartments they will not allow children & if we move into an apartment & child is noise people will complain & ask us to move out.

Ladies can you suggest any furnished housing facilities & housing locations that accomodate children and are safe & have all facilities near by.

Facilities such as the following:

1. A primary health care center & pharmacy
   
   
2. Grocery Shop/ General store/ Cafe/ Resturants
   
   
3. Clothes store / bank & ATM
   
   
4. Transportation facilities - Bus/ Train/ cabs.
   
   
5. Play school for toddlers / District schools.
   
   
6. police station / fire station
   
   
7. Church
   
   
8. we need a house with proper water, electric, & gas supply
   
   
9. windows & doors which are double glazed
   
   
10. safety wise - how is area, soundings, etc.
    
    We are looking for housing with in 600 to 700 pounds with 2 Bedroom apartment. We prefer apartements our second option is to look at individual houses if we do not get houses.
    
    Thank you, meena

[TwoLittleRoses]

@Theworldisfullofgs I know this is an old thread but just wondering which village you love and primary school? I’m looking to move from London as my DH has a job in Peterborough and I commute once a week to London and need to find a primary school for my 4 year old. Your comment seems to tick a few boxes. Thank you