Moving to Newmarket area??

[EmmaF83]

Hi everyone,

I hope I've posted this in the right place but please feel free to say if not!

I'm looking for a bit of advice on living in Newmarket or Bury St.Edmunds - I'm currently living in Littleport just outside Ely and only re-located here in October last year so dont know the areas overly well.
I do like Ely but and are looking at moving there as being out in Littleport isn't right for me as I don't have car access when hubby is at work (7 days on 7 days off - but sometimes does 9 days straight and all 12 hr shifts!!) so as I'm used to a town/city we are looking at moving asap so I can get out and about more!

Now we were just initally thinking Ely but with hubby working near exning/newmarket we've started to consider looking at Newmarket/Bury St.Edmunds (BSE seems like it has more going on from posts Ive found in various places)

We are currently renting and can't really afford more than we are paying now and as prices in Ely for 3 beds are ridiculous this has also made us think of loooking elsewhere but not sure where? Preferable would like to reduce hubby's drive to/from work although I know BSE would be the same but feel if we could get more for our money/cheaper house than it would balance out a bit.
Thats where Newmarket seems to make sense but not sure what its like as heard various comments on it not being that nice?

My little one is 14.5 months and I'm currently a SAHM (with a bit of self employed work) so need to be able to go out to groups, nice walks, places to go for coffee etc - littleport is too quiet so any village the same especially without good transport links is a big No!

Am I right in thinking Mildenhall is mainly just RAF? and nothing there? This somes up cheap and wondering why?

Oh and if it helps we are currently paying £650 pcm for a 3 bed - would consider a 2 if big/storage etc but ideally a 3 so we wouldn't have to move again if we have another little one over the next yr or two. Hubby is already really struggling with the bills etc so ideally no more than what we are paying (3 bed in Ely - your looking at £700 min - most are £750pcm!!!) :-(

Sorry for th e long post but I really hope some out you will be able to help and give some adice on areas etc

Many thanks
Emma

Not sure about renting, but houses are more expensive to buy in BSE compared to Ely, so would expect it to be the same for renting. Can't really advise you on Newmarket.

I live in Ely and will always suggest it over anywhere else , however, have you checked out what you can get for about £600 in Ely? There is this house for example.

I live just outside BSE and I can highly recommend it as a great place to live with children. I would agree with what others have said about renting/house prices in BSE though.

RAF Mildenhall is an American airbase. I don't know much more about the area though.

I find Newmarket an odd place, it seems to be either very rich people (the stud owners) or lower income families ( people who work at the studs). I may be very wrong though and I am happy to be corrected.

I am happy to answer any questions that you have

I agree that Newmarket seems to be one extreme to the other. Some very large posh houses and some very run down areas.
I live about 20 minutes from Newmarket and it is a nice town with some good shops. Bury is a much bigger town with more shops but more expensive.

Thank you all veyr much I really appreicate the replies and it doesn look like Newmarket may not be the right place for us.

I do like Ely, I just wondered if Newmarket would be ok as its nearer hubbys work but may think against it now, still like the idea of Bury as there does semm quite a lot more going on etc but if prices are not much different to Ely then we may stick to Ely.
..PeskyPiskie thank you for that link and did arrnge a viewing to see that one but they called to say No children allowed which makes no sense but can't do anything else about it and anything else that comes up at about £600 is either tiny, has no parking or is just very grotty :-(

Wish the property market wasn't the way it was and that way more people could afford to buy and rental prices weren't so outrageous everywhere.

I thnk I like the idea of Bury due to more going on etc but I love Ely for the general feel of the place, riverside etc (we were hoping to be able to enjoy it this summer but the property search isn't going quite to plan lol) :-) x

Sorry for the late reply - are you still considering where to live? I've lived in Newmarket a few years and quite like it here. I haven't lived in Ely/BSE though so can't compare those. I can see why the town might seem a bit strange (racing dominates, and maybe the class divide like people have said) if you're new, but it's fine living here. If you know where to look, there are some houses that can be better value for money (with more storage/parking). Let me know if you want more info. :)