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Original poster

Moving to Suffolk

88 replies

Kirstyg82 · 31/01/2021 18:54

Hi all,
We were meant to relocate from Essex to Suffolk last year, but due to Covid and my husbands business, it just wasn’t on the cards.
We are now looking at getting our house on the market at the end of the year and moving as soon as we sell.

We have based the area we move to on chosen schools, so it’s a half hour radius from either Great Finborough or Southwold.
Would like to nearest city/large town to have a fair amount to do, feel safe and just a nice place to visit/shop/run errands etc.

We’d like a rural property or just outside a village.
There are many areas that seem nice to us, but I know from local areas where I live that it isn’t always the case so I’d love some local recommendations.

Ideally we would like a period property with a very large garden/some land.

Thank you in advance

OP posts:
mouldyhouse101 · 02/02/2021 15:47

Forgot to say also, Cambridge has some fantastic (very) selective state schools that provide a like for like education of an independent, but without the cost

KOKOagainandagain · 02/02/2021 16:15

There are lovely villages on the Essex/Suffolk border which make it just as easy to drive to Colchester as Ipswich - much easier to take the train to London. I have lived in Stratford st Mary (too close to the A12 for my liking) But Dedham was only a mile away plus Higham. Beautiful Constable country. Lots of rural properties.

Then moved more into Suffolk - stoke by nayland. Now live in a village near Woodbridge. Feels much more rural.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 02/02/2021 16:29

@mouldyhouse101

Forgot to say also, Cambridge has some fantastic (very) selective state schools that provide a like for like education of an independent, but without the cost
Cambridge does NOT have any selective state schools, until 6th form. I have no idea where you got that from.

It does have some amazing comprehensives though. My DC both attended one.

mouldyhouse101 · 02/02/2021 17:04

Cambridge does NOT have any selective state schools, until 6th form.

So it does have some?

EmmaGrundyForPM · 02/02/2021 17:07

@mouldyhouse101

Cambridge does NOT have any selective state schools, until 6th form.

So it does have some?

not prinary or seconday schools, no. There are some 6th form colleges that select, but the OP is asking about much younger children.

Which schools are you talking about?

mummydoingamasters · 02/02/2021 17:26

@CottonSock

I don't think I could get excited about saxmundham or stowmarket.
@CottonSock having lived in both I completely agree!
SomethingNastyInTheBallPool · 02/02/2021 17:58

Watching with interest as we’re also considering moving to Suffolk - more the Ipswich side than BSE.

I don’t want to crash your thread, OP,
but if anyone has any advice about SEND support in Suffolk, I’d love to hear it.

Bagelsandbrie · 02/02/2021 18:50

@SomethingNastyInTheBallPool

Watching with interest as we’re also considering moving to Suffolk - more the Ipswich side than BSE.

I don’t want to crash your thread, OP,
but if anyone has any advice about SEND support in Suffolk, I’d love to hear it.

Hi, my son has autism and learning disabilities and attends complex needs school in Norfolk. I don’t know an awful lot about the Suffolk side of things but consider joining the Facebook group “SENsational families” where you can find lots of parents in Norfolk and Suffolk. It’s a very active group. The one thing I will say is if you’re looking to get a specialist placement most children travel long distances as they’re spread out far and wide - my son travels 23 miles each way to school and travels with an escort in a taxi and several other children. He actually enjoys the journey and goes on his iPad and switch - he’s 9 now and been there since he was 5. (I can’t drive him myself due to health issues).
SomethingNastyInTheBallPool · 02/02/2021 19:41

Thank you, @Bagelsandbrie - that's really interesting. I'l take a look at the FB group.

PuttingOnMyParts · 02/02/2021 22:27

I grew up in Beccles, it’s fairly convenient for Reydon and I had friends there and in Southwold. It’s also relatively convenient for Norwich, although the road can be slow going if you get stuck behind something slow. Beccles has some streets of lovely big old houses with large but maybe not enormous gardens - try looking at Grange/Upper Grange Roads, Waveney Road and Ashmans Road.

momoli · 15/02/2021 00:39

Interesting see everyone's opinions. OP i am moving from London to BSE in a few weeks (completion pending!) i am getting nervous! Its a big change! Good luck to you with your move :)

En1983 · 30/09/2025 22:15

Hey!

We’re currently in a similar situation. Replicating, looking for a school. Can I ask where you ended up / which school?

Bagelsandbrie · 01/10/2025 09:46

En1983 · 30/09/2025 22:15

Hey!

We’re currently in a similar situation. Replicating, looking for a school. Can I ask where you ended up / which school?

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