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Original poster

Comberton Village College

58 replies

PippaFawcett · 16/03/2016 13:59

We want to move (like so many other people) to the catchment of Comberton VC. Our budget is £325k so isn't huge for that area. We have two DC, one about to start reception in September and one who will be in Year 3 in September so we would need primary places for them. Are the primaries all going to be full and a nightmare to get into? In-year moving seems awful to get our heads around for school places and I know the primary places are about to be announced. We like Coton, Barton, Little Eversden from our drive around but so does everyone else and there is nothing in our price range at the moment and possibly ever. Is Comberton a nice place to make friends (me and the kids) as we would be leaving our lovely village community and I am apprehensive! We have ruled out Cambourne.

OP posts:
Tingalingle · 17/03/2016 10:33

Arbury (I know, I know...) is v handy for West Cambridge site (used to live near there).

Or Cottenham, and get very good at cycling?

Original poster
PippaFawcett · 17/03/2016 10:44

I think I would only want to live in Cambridge if I could live in a nice part of it - which is how I feel about London! Although I have friends in Arbury who are very happy there. I looked at Cottenham last night too, it is a bit of a rat run there. Histon is possible too as the cycle in from there would be fine. Is Impington VC ok? Thing is, prices are comparable with the Comberton area.

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ihatethecold · 17/03/2016 12:45

There is no way that house will go for that asking price, that's a bargain, There will be a developer sniffing round that.

I think you are hoping for a miracle to be honest.

House prices are cheaper on the east side of the A14.
Over and swavesey or willingham?

Tingalingle · 17/03/2016 13:14

for £260k? Allegedly 15 mins to West Cambridge via the M11, probably give you a choice of Melbourn or Sawston VC, plus you could spend the spare on tutoring if you need to? And you'd get a free view of Spitfires every flying day at the air museum!

Tingalingle · 17/03/2016 13:14

(That was meant to say Duxford, by the way.)

Original poster
PippaFawcett · 17/03/2016 16:45

I haven't even considered Duxford, I will add it to our list of possibles. Should I be being more openminded about Cambourne? It doesn't tick all our boxes but it looks like for our budget, nothing will.

ihate, everyone at the open house thing were developers of some sort. You can't build on the garden (previous planning applications have been rejected) but if the house was in good condition it would sell for a lot more.

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ihatethecold · 17/03/2016 19:06

Cambourne is ok. Lots of facilities there. I just wouldn't live on one of the main roads in or out.
Lots for young children to do, everyone I know that lives there likes it.

doctorgeek · 17/03/2016 19:14

Duxford is lovely but bear in mind the M11 is backed up well onto the slip road at the Madingly Road junction during am rush hour. Walking pace all the way into the centre.

Lovewalking · 17/03/2016 19:45

Sorry missed that you said West Cambridge - presumably university site? Agree that M11 up to Madingley queues back and will only get worse with all the redevelopment until they sort the infrastructure (so probably never).
If you could do very early starts it would be doable but with young children I'm guessing this wouldn't be a goer.

It is going to be difficult on your budget in the area you are looking - that's why lots of people who work in Cambridge commute from Ely,Hunts and Newmarket. You may have to revisit Cambourne - but you'll still get caught crawling from the A428 into Cambridge unfortunately. The joys of working in Cambridge...

Original poster
PippaFawcett · 17/03/2016 19:58

Lovewalking, yes that is where I am located. Ideally I don't want to swap our house for a more expensive one with the same commute, albeit with better schools.

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ihatethecold · 17/03/2016 21:00

What's your commute now and what time will you travel into Cambridge?

Original poster
PippaFawcett · 17/03/2016 22:12

My commute now is 1.5 hours in rush hour or an hour during normal traffic, 45 mins late at night.

I have been starting early and leaving early or starting late and leaving late recently to keep it at an hour. But I would love to claw back some of my day, 10 hours a week stuck in traffic is shit.

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ihatethecold · 18/03/2016 06:33

My commute during rush hour via either Barton road or madingley road to near the grafton centre is 45 mins to an hour, I live 8 miles to the west of Cambridge.
Same to get home.
If you do live fairly close to Cambridge I would suggest cycling. You will get there in half the time.

Original poster
PippaFawcett · 18/03/2016 19:21

I definitely want to be able to cycle. I sometimes train/drive part of my journey and bike now. Where do you live, I hate? If you are happy to say, you can't be too far from Comberton yourself.

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Tingalingle · 18/03/2016 19:36

Have you looked at this one?

Original poster
PippaFawcett · 18/03/2016 20:23

Thats on our list, Tingalingle! I just find it a bit depressing how average the houses are for £££. Do you know if there is a safe cycle route - i.e. family friendly - from Comberton into Cambridge?

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Tingalingle · 18/03/2016 21:54

Not done it myself, but I have a friend who doughtily cycles everywhere from there.
Does this map help at all?

ihatethecold · 18/03/2016 22:24

Loads of people cycle from the west villages into town. Loads do it from Cambourne also. There is talk of building a new park and ride on the madingley roundabout.
I live about 3 miles of cvc.
My kids get the school bus there every day.
That house linked above is very reasonable in price.
Hard wick has s fab pub with very good food.

northofcambridge · 19/03/2016 18:50

i have to say with that time frame for secondary I would pick a house and a village that you like that have a decent commute for both of you and not worry about secondary schools too much - things could change a lot over that time

orchardy · 20/03/2016 11:47

How about Girton? Oakington?
www.rightmove.co.uk/new-homes-for-sale/property-53350378.html

Original poster
PippaFawcett · 22/03/2016 14:55

What is Fen Drayton like? I have never been but Swavesey VC looks very good.

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Tingalingle · 22/03/2016 16:00

Quite a long cycle from there to West Cambridge!

If you're happy to cycle, might you be better somewhere like Fen Ditton or Cherry Hinton and be five miles through town from your work? Apologies if you're already in either of those and finding it takes hours!

Have you seen this website that lists properties by school catchment, by the way?

Original poster
PippaFawcett · 22/03/2016 16:31

Thanks Tinga. I think I am clutching at straws! I am happy to cycle but the school catchments aren't good for Cherry Hinton (and I assume Fen Ditton). I haven't seen that site, I will have a look now. We tried to view the Hardwick one you posted upthread by the way, but the agent hasn't even got back to us with availability from the seller and I'm not sorry. I also like Histon but there isn't anything suitable there at the moment either.

OP posts:
Tingalingle · 22/03/2016 16:52

Fen Ditton is Bottisham, I think? Outstanding in all categories - but maybe the primaries aren't?

Tingalingle · 22/03/2016 16:53

Are you a mathematician, by the way? Just going from your user name here.