Best areas for a couple to live in Cambridge

[justinbieber]

DH and I (no kids) are moving to Cambridge soon. I'll be working at Granta Park, which is south of the city near the Abingtons. DH will be working from home. I was thinking we would be best living in Cambridge for the first couple of years, while we settle in. What would be a good area to live in? We're looking to rent a 1-2 bedroom flat. I've heard that Chesterton is a bit dodgy, that the Mill Road area is bad for parking and that the traffic everywhere is awful, but aside from that, I've no idea...

How much money do you have? How close to the city do you want to be?

Ideally we'd like to keep it under 800, but we're willing to go up to 900. We don't necessarily have to be close to the city centre, but would like to be in an area that is not just residential - for example somewhere with some cafes, yoga classes, that kind of thing. And with decent public transport or within biking distance of the city centre.

Unfortunately you really will struggle to find somewhere in town for that sort of money :(. You'l be looking at villages really. Although you may strike lucky. Chesterton isn't too bad, Mill Road still rather trendy but renting wise , in the £1000's at least!! Have a browse through the property news or look online at righmove. Cafes and yoga classes - not too sure about that..

Granta Park has cafes, and Abington itself has yoga -- but must admit it's not cycling distance from the city centre (unless you are a cycle nut).

I used to cycle from Cambridge to Linton! I was a lot younger though

You need to be on the south side of Cambridge - that way you will be going against the traffic and shouldn't get too held up in jams (by the way there is a bus that runs from Cambridge to Granta Park should you not want to drive every day). To fit your criteria you would then need to look at the Mill Road or top end of Hills Road area, though if you've got a bike (and decent lights, please) the centre of town is only a few minutes pedalling from further down Hills Road/Cherry Hinton Road (i.e. other side of railway bridge).

Mill Rd area - not on Mill Road but just off it. Definitely. All the nicest pubs are in that area, interesting ethnic shops, close to the train station and close enough to walk to town.

If you have a car you will get good at parallel parking.

Ah, just seen your price range. If you want a 2-bed for that you may end up nearer Cherry Hinton than town.

Thanks all! If we lived near Mill Road, would we be able to find on street parking? Or is it a bit of a pita?

Under 800....ha ha ha ha ha. Think 1200 for a tiny 2-bed terrace in poor nick and you're closer to the mark.

And I live in The Mill Rd area and have TWO off road car parking spaces. All the newer developments have them, and you can park on the road on the Romsey side of the railway line - the only restrictions are on the town side.

Oh, and p,entry of cafes and yoga classes in this part of town too.

Plenty.

Well, may have to adjust the budget a bit and just go for the one bedroom, but at least I know where is a good place to live now. Yoga was just an example, I don't actually do it, although now I'm thinking...

Actually, if you want to try Pilates instead I know a really great studio off Gwydir St

Everywhere in Cambridge is within cycling distance of the city centre.

Chesterton is not actually dodgy, not by the rest of the country's standards anyway. Chesterton certainly not more dodgy than the areas off Mill road (i.e mostly perfectly safe)

You won't get anything for £800 though, unless you want to house share or live in grot.

Chesterton is not dodgy, but it;s the wrong side of town for driving to work so will add loads of time to your commute.

Would buying be an option for you?

2 bed near Mill Road for £900

It can be done - but there won't be many 2 beds in the-are-that-I-think-justin-should-live for £900.

So would Victoria road be the wrong side of town for the commute too as there are some lovely houses off there, between Victoria road and Histon road, and rents are a bit more affordable?

Aah Granta Park is south isn't it? If you were north of the river you could go via the M11 and Duxford? That's what DP does when he commutes south...

I'm willing to consider north of the river overmydeadbody, if the commute isn't too bad. But don't want to be sitting in traffic every day really. How long d'you reckon it would take from there, during rush hour?

We're looking to buy in about 2 years, but just need to save up a bit more of a deposit first. Plus, need to get to know the area well enough to decide where to buy. And we'd probably buy in one of the surrounding villages anyway, I reckon.

Pliates, eh? Wonder if that's less work than yoga...

I am currently looking up Zumba - I can jiggle myself around out of time quite happily but I think Yoga/Pilates will be too technical, requiring bendiness and balance.