Peterborough

[ThatLibraryMiss]

Considering a move, looking for somewhere with good transport links to London, Cambridge and the north via the A1 or M1. With only one car, someone will have to walk, bike or take public transport to a station.

Have seen a nice house in the budget in Fletton - what's it like there?

I wouldn't want to live in Peterborough. Would Ely or Stamford be possible?

Would Ely or Stamford be possible?

Not for the money, Sarah. What's wrong with Peterborough?

What's your budget? Bourne is cheaper than Stamford ans still a nice area

Bourne's cheaper for a reason, 16 miles is quite far to bike to the station if you can't face an hour on the bus. Stamford does have a station so would be a better bet if someone needs to get the train to London or Cambridge every day. I'd rather live in Bourne than Peterborough though, I agree.

As for what's wrong with Peterborough - well, have you been there? I wouldn't want to live there, and I quite like some 60s concrete. But it will depend what your priorities are, it's definitely good if your main aim is to go to other places...

I grew up in Fletton, my parents still live there and the houses are nice good sizes.
You've got good schools within walking distance (Fletton, Woolston, Brewster Avenue/ St Augustines for primary, Stanground and Nene Valley for secondary) if needed
Fletton is definitely one of the nicer areas of the city, especially as it is walking distance to the city centre and the train station.

So easy to get around with the parkway system, it literally circles the majority of the city (although as it grows and seems to be getting ready to absorb Yaxley (consider there too, its quite nice) you're never far from something in normal times.

As a city its been voted worst place to live for the past 3 years? Its not bad, not brilliant, but there such a variety of people and history etc that I wouldn't discount it without visiting first.

Peterborough is fine, Hampton, Fletton or the surrounding areas like Stilton are nice too.

If you're looking for a short commute to London consider around Rugby too, prices (both house and rail) are very reasonable.

Of course it’s not full of 1960’s concrete.
The attached was taken 10 minutes walk from my house in Woodston (next area to Fletton).
People can be very snobby about Peterborough.

How often will you need to travel to London? Peterborough would be well down my list.

It’s not all bad, but would consider other areas first.

Peterborough has an unfair reputation IMHO. I’ve lived here for 18 years.

There are Brexit-y idiots and some scummy types but everywhere has bad bits.

Fletton and Woodston have strong communities. Lots of Italians moved here in the 60s.

My DS goes to Brewster Avenue, which is a nice little school.

It has good facilities- swimming pools, 2 theatres and a lido for example. Ferry Meadows country park has been brilliant in the current circumstances.

There are very few graduate employers and no university, which I suppose is why many people don’t like it.

From Fletton or Woodston you can walk to the river and the town centre in 10-15 minutes.

@ThatLibraryMiss

Would Ely or Stamford be possible?

Not for the money, Sarah. What's wrong with Peterborough?

Understood!

It is really personal. My in-laws and extended family live in Peterborough and the surrounding area, and some of them love it. Parts of it are gorgeous - the street my PIL live on is rough as fuck and full of druggies, but if it weren't, it'd be beautiful - the cathedral is a stone's throw away.

I think the problem is that it's a city that expanded too fast, so everyone seems to blame someone else for things not being better. It feels angry.

Would it be any option to be further east? It gets cheaper as you get towards Norwich or Lincoln. Lincoln has lots of benefits and you'd still have reasonably cheap access south and north.

Btw, agree with @MinnieMountain that Ferry Meadows is nice. However, for the size it is, Peterborough has very few facilities.

I work next to Hamton in Peterborough and know a lot of people who live there that say it's built on clay and is overpriced for the size of the houses.

You do have rough parts but it has a nice town center, lots of things to do ice rink, soft play, cinemas ect. it isn't as bad as everyone makes out. You can get some lovely homes in great communities. A friend has just bought an outrageously gorgeous house in Spalding which is on the outskirts for next to nothing.

I don't live in Peterborough myself I will add so don't have a lot of day to day experience but don't listen to people who turn their noses up just because it's Peterborough.

But the town centre isn't nice.

I don't live there either, but I spend a fair bit of time there, given family. The Waterstones is lovely; there are some nice cafes; Queensgate is plain depressing. But the main issue is it's just not very friendly. People yelling, young lads having fights, lots of blokes spitting and waiting for you to take offence. Sure, you can ignore it and I don't imagine you're in physical danger if you want down the road, but it feels grim.

Yeah, sorry I do agree it's not particularly nice...I'll change that to big, busy and active - maybe not in the best ways but it has a lovely cathedral and before Corona some nice places to eat.

Oh, the cathedral is gorgeous! If you're into that sort of thing, I really think it's amazing.

I just get so frustrated by Peterborough - we used to live in Cambridge and the sort of street my PILs live on has a view of the (gorgeous) Cathedral. They have a garden; the house is perfectly nice. If it were in Cambridge or Ely it'd go for an absolute mint. But somehow Peterborough lost its way.

Thank you very much for the advice, I'm very grateful for it. Seems Peterborough gets mixed reviews like most towns.

@ThatLibraryMiss
Just wondering did you end up moving back?

I mean moving to Peterborough? I often consider moving back there after 17 years away and swearing i hated the place! Funny how things change over time!

[quote Moon22]@ThatLibraryMiss
Just wondering did you end up moving back?[/quote]
It was actually my daughter who was considering it. They offered on a house but the survey raised problems and the buyers were a bit flaky so they wisely walked away and found a nicer house in Kettering.

Oh lovely! Good for them!

Could well be. Or could be any of the other tummy bugs doing the rounds. Gastroenteritis etc. write for us + Hotels
All recommend the same type of care. Rest and stay hydrated. Do you have any dioralyte (sp) in?
They are awful but usually short lived.
Feel better soon.

Hi all, we're based in the Peterborough/ Cambridgeshire area and we're expecting in Many next year. We're really struggling to find somewhere decent to look at prams, etc. does anyone have any recommendations? Any help you could give would be greatly appreciated!