Does anyone know a lot about/live in Ipswich?

[LocationLocationLocation00]

I've accepted a good job in Ipswich and I will be looking to rent a place within the next few months.

I'm now very worried as previous threads/a quick google search seems to suggest it isn't the nicest place? Does anyone live there? is it that bad?

I'm a single parent to DD3.5 so I would like a safe area with enough things to do, a good nursury and school for next year. I need to live fairly central to drop DD at nursury and get to work on time. From what I've researched, Kesgrave and Christchurch seem to be mentioned as the better area's? Are there any particular parts to avoid?

It's made me hugely anxious as I'm currently living in a nice area having left somewhere that made me very unhappy (i don't want to re-live that again). Having said that, my training is for 3 years, so I will most likely move once I am qualified. TIA

Me!!
Don’t do it

Don't move to Ipswich (Ipshit)

Ipswich is grim -

What about Bury St Edmunds?

Ah thats not what I was hoping, what is it that makes it so bad? Unfortunately I think it's moving there or I have no job.

How much of a commute can you manage? 20-30 minutes gets you to some lovely rural areas, Dedham, flatford, east Bergholt, manningtree, stutton, tattingstone etc

@IheartJKR it would need to be very central to Ipswich so I could make it to nursury and then to work on time.

I should have done more research before applying. They have an office in Norwich and I'm so annoyed because I know Norwich far better and could have applied to that one.

@RainbowCrayons If it is that terrible I would consider commuting, I'll have a look at those places, thank you.

It would just make life a bit harder being further away and having to rush about. I suppose it really depends on traffic as well as to whether I could get to and forth for pick up in time.

I live in Ipswich, and I would say that a lot depends on where you are. I'm in the East of Ipswich, and quite happy here. I feel safe walking around (I walk to and from work, and about half the year it's dark). I have some good small local shops and lovely neighbours.

I would say though that the town centre is a bit rubbish. Even before the pandemic there were lots of empty shops, and now it's even worse. I don't really feel safe walking around the town centre after dark. I just avoid going into town unless I need to.

There are some areas of Ipswich I would definitely avoid living in. Most of the East is ok, and the area around Christchurch Park, although that's more expensive.

There are

There are plenty of lovely places in easy commuting distance of Ipswich. I live in Woodbridge and when I worked in the centre of Ipswich my commute took me 25 minutes max.

Ipswich is pretty small so there are super expensive areas (valley road, graham road etc) basically next to less desirable areas. North Ipswich is nice - Westerfield road/ Henley Road areas. I know plenty people who live in the pinewood/thorrington park area - I have a relative who lives in Chantry and even that's not that bad 😂

I grew up in Ipswich and lived in the area around Christchurch Park which was really nice. Very safe but quite expensive. Like everywhere there are pockets of less desirable places but all in all I thought it was a nice place to grow up in.
Might have changed now though!

For less expensive areas I have a friend who lives in Ravenswood which I think is quite nice and probably more affordable. I think this may be sandwiched between a less desirable area. I also had a lot of friends who lived in Kesgrave/Martlesham which were nice.

Ipswich is somewhere I avoid, but Bury st Edmunds is a really nice little town.

@GeidiPrimes

Ipswich is somewhere I avoid, but Bury st Edmunds is a really nice little town.

But also at least a 40 minute drive from Ipswich, which doesn't help to OP much?

I wouldn't live in Ravenswood! Some of North Ipswich as mentioned by a pp is nice.

Ipswich is like anywhere else, some good bits and some not so good. Just do your research. As a side issue, the newly developed waterfront is worth a visit (not to live, just to while away an afternoon). They have shows and festivals there in the summer.

Woodbridge is lovely but expensive. There are also some nice villages not too far out from Ipswich (Westerfield, Tuddenham etc) but don't know much about prices there.

We moved here 3 yes ago (south west of the city centre) 2 seemingly nice primary school within walking distance and an ok senior school

Don't shop centrally much but when I do I go by bike

Some ok restaurants (great vegan ones) and reasonable theatre

Quite a thriving arts scene

Won't be moving again for a while and I'm pretty content

Op, where will your place of work be? Is it in central Ipswich or elsewhere?

I really wouldn't live in Ipswich- it's not nice at all. Stowmarket has regular trains into Ipswich and only takes about 15 minutes and then another 10ish minutes to walk into town. Needham Market which is a few mins closer on the train but not as regular is nice.

Could you ask to be located at the Norwich office instead?

@MaMaD1990

I really wouldn't live in Ipswich- it's not nice at all. Stowmarket has regular trains into Ipswich and only takes about 15 minutes and then another 10ish minutes to walk into town. Needham Market which is a few mins closer on the train but not as regular is nice.

Whereas I think stowmarket is a bit of a hole..!

It all depends on expectations and budget really doesn't it?

I live just outside stowmarket, don't tend to go to Ipswich much but it is only 20 mins away, like everyone has said it has its nicer parts but I wouldn't ever feel safe walking round by myself after dark there. If you can I'd look to a few of the more rural villages surrounding and see if you can commute, there's some lovely places nearby

@SoMuchToBits I think it's fairly central (IP3) and near to the A14 (going by google maps).

@starbrightstarlight8888 I'm considering it, I would much rather that as i have family there but I don't want to be off to a bad start. They may have also filled the vacancy in the norwich office.

Ipswich is fine. Nice, quiet but fairly boring which is why I moved away in my 20's. Family and friends still there and I visit regularily now. For a young family it's fine. Nicer areas are to the east and north of the town centre I would say. So Northgate/Copleston/Kesgrave areas. There are less nice parts, as there are anywhere, but I wouldn't exactly call Ipswich rough! Rough compared to the rest of Suffolk maybe but not rough in the scheme of other small/medium sized towns.

Ipswich really isn't that bad. Yes, it has its grotty bits, but everywhere does...
As long as you keep the to the East or North (or very central around Christchurch Park, if funds allow!) I htink it would be fine. Rushmere, Westerfield, Kesgrave, Martlesham etc - and even the rest of the town isn't awful if you're careful.
Schools are decent, two good theatres, plenty to do; and the waterfront area is nice. Yes, shopping isn't great, but I don't think Ipswich is alone there. Central Ipswich shops have seen better days, but there's a John Lewis Home, a Waitrose, and an large M and S food not too far out -and again these are all to the East/North.