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Original poster

Which area for family house in Cambridge

64 replies

Avocadosmoothie · 27/04/2017 21:02

Hello, my husband and I are planning to move to Cambridge next year. We would like to be in a village not more than a 45 minute commute from the centre. We have a budget of around £500k and would like a four bed house with a garden (if we can get it!). Although we would sacrifice a bedroom for a nice village. We really want an area with a rural feel instead of urban. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks!

OP posts:

PippaFawcett · 27/04/2017 22:01

Coton is my dream village! Although there isn't anything for £500k at the moment, but there is one SSTC that was £500k. Grantchester also, to me, feels rural but it is a stone's throw from the city but also £££.

How are you commuting? If it is by train you could try the villages around Ely as they are rural, perhaps somewhere like Wilburton but you won't be able to drive into central Cambridge for 45 mins during rush hour. The train from Ely are busy but quick.

PippaFawcett · 27/04/2017 22:03

Wilburton: www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-65637983.html

PippaFawcett · 27/04/2017 22:06

You should also know that traffic is AWFUL in Cambridge and it can take 45 minutes to crawl along into the city from villages just outside Cambridge. You either need to be able to cycle, get the train, walk or get the park and ride/bus.

cammel · 27/04/2017 22:16

It depends where in Cambridge you are commuting to. I'd aim to be on that side of the city as getting across the middle is awful and you will add time to your commute if you have to skirt round the outside.

Original poster

Avocadosmoothie · 27/04/2017 23:01

Thanks! I just had a look at wilburton on Rightmove and can see a couple of good options. How long would it take to drive from there to city centre Cambs for 9am?

OP posts:

PippaFawcett · 28/04/2017 00:12

It is hard to say, and I haven't done that journey but I would leave at 7.30 to be sure. It also depends if you are planning to drive to the centre or park at the park and ride and go from there on bike or bus. Cambridge traffic is REALLY awful and it starts once you hit the villages en-route but particularly Histon. Traffic is much better during the children's holidays but in the winter/rain it is gridlock.

jaynebxl · 28/04/2017 09:53

There are closer villages than Wilburton which are nice. Check out the villages up the a10 such as Waterbeach, Milton, Landbeach even Cottenham or Histon. A fair bit closer and very nice.

PippaFawcett · 28/04/2017 09:59

From Waterbeach there is a lovely cycle route into Cambridge along the river. They aren't very rural though. Histon is great but very busy and more like a suburb of Cambridge now.

Tingalingle · 28/04/2017 11:21

Why do you need to drive, specifically?

Original poster

Avocadosmoothie · 28/04/2017 11:39

My husband works in central Manchester and he has driven to work for the past 5 years (tram before that). He likes the flexibility of having the car at work and finds it more comfortable and relaxing to be in the car instead of on the tram/train. I think it's just small things like being able to listen to his music, being able to take confidential work calls, keeping an umbrella and trainers in the car etc. He supports the family so as he has a preference to drive, I would want to make sure he can do that.

OP posts:

Original poster

Avocadosmoothie · 28/04/2017 11:41

I had heard the traffic in Cambs is a nightmare! At the minute it takes us 45mins to drive the 5 miles into work in central Manchester and I though that was bad enough!

He would be working very centrally - close to the Cambs train station.

OP posts:

PippaFawcett · 28/04/2017 11:51

Will he have a car parking space as part of his role? Car parking prices in Cambridge are very expensive. I would explore places on the train route into Cambridge if he will be working so close to the train station. As much as he might like to drive, it is very stressful in Cambridge. Waterbeach is on the train route as mentioned before and is also possible by car, it isn't very rural though.

Original poster

Avocadosmoothie · 28/04/2017 11:58

He would be able to charge his parking costs back to the company luckily! Yes I agree it's worth looking into places on the train line, I'll make a start on that!

OP posts:

PippaFawcett · 28/04/2017 12:02

That is lucky, you might want to look at the Shelfords too.

JennyWren1234 · 28/04/2017 12:04

I'm not sure I'd call close to the train station very central - it's slightly south-east and therefore his journey would be much easier if you based yourselves in a village that side of Cambridge. If he had to come into Cambridge from the north or west he would need to battle with the traffic to get round the centre.

We live just under 5 miles south east and my journey in the mornings takes me just past the railway station. I leave at 7.40 and get there just past 8 - sat nav usually says 22 mins and is fairly accurate. Obviously leaving a bit later than that will involve more traffic as, predictably, it gets busier!

Original poster

Avocadosmoothie · 28/04/2017 12:16

Yes, 'central' was a bit loose! My family live East of Cambs so we will definitely aim for that direction anyway (or just not West). I've just had a look at train times and I definitely agree this is worth looking into. His office is only 144ft from the station! Ok, so back to rural villages on the train line - I will look up Shelfords now!

OP posts:

DorothyParker111 · 28/04/2017 12:47

This is nothing personal against the OP and of course everyone is free to make whatever transport decisions they want etc BUT this thread exemplifies why Cambridge's suburbs are becoming such unpleasant places to live.

People want the benefits of living in the country and enjoying rural life but they also want to be able to drive right into the centre of town to the front door of their workplace. So town becomes ever more congested and residents are told their communities are "traffic corridors" and that their quality of life doesn't matter as long as it's possible for the commuters to keep on trucking into town, comfortable in their single occupancy vehicles with room for their trainers and their umbrella.

I hope OP that you do find somewhere that works for your family and allows your husband to get the train (or cycle or park & ride bus) to work. Not everyone's working patterns allow for it, but on the information you've provided it sounds like he's a prime candidate for giving it a go. Every single car journey that shifts to another mode of transport makes a difference to air quality and road safety. It is also likely to be more pleasant for your husband!

Sanctimonious post over.

Tingalingle · 28/04/2017 13:10

Honestly, I think the first week of trying to drive into Cambridge for 9 am will convert him to the idea of nipping in on the train. He could always sit in his car on the driveway and read a book for 45 mins first.

If you aim for Shelford/Whittlesford/even Ely, it'll be ever so much easier to bite your tongue when he changes his mind and heads for the nearest station.

cammel · 28/04/2017 17:11

The guided bus also goes to the station, so it would be possible to use that from the park & ride at Trumpington. I haven't tried commuting that way (I don't commute into central Cambridge at all)

SummerLightning · 28/04/2017 17:19

Fulbourn is a short, reasonably pleasant cycle ride to the station, or an annoying but doable drive at rush hour (probably about 30-40 mins)

Probably more than 500k for a big 4 bed detatched but you might find one. Definitely doable for a 3 bed.

tessiebear4 · 28/04/2017 17:21

Driving into Cambridge is madness, unless you absolutely have no other choice. Having an office so near to the station, on the other hand, makes for a really nice lifestyle. Plus he can go for a drink after work!

Original poster

Avocadosmoothie · 28/04/2017 17:22

Thanks! We'd definitely keep driving as on option if we can find somewhere commutable. He's quiet fortunate that his company will pay his parking so could work out as a good option for us if we could find somewhere close enough. At the minute he sets off from home at 7.50 ish in the car to get to work for 9, so used to time in the car.

I also want to look into trainline villages more too as I'm sure our money might buy us a bit more house if we're further from the centre. What is newmarket like? I think it's a fairly large town, so probably not too much of a rural vibe?!

OP posts:

SummerLightning · 28/04/2017 17:28

Newmarket is quite nice but definitely not rural feeling. Lots of horses though!

If you want driving as an alternative you could look south, e.g. Whittlesford? Driving in from Ely, say, to the station would be madness under all circumstances! I am not sure about Newmarket but I think would probably take a long time.

Trouble with going south though is you get expensive cos of London commuters.

If he's determined to drive Balsham would be a good bet. It's a bit cheaper, probably because there is no train alternative.

SummerLightning · 28/04/2017 17:30

Also try Waterbeach - on the trainline, village feel, cyclable if he fancies it as well.

SummerLightning · 28/04/2017 17:32

(Though waterbeach would be a PITA for driving I'm afraid)

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