What's dire around the market square? There is a staggeringly ugly block of shops that looks like it was flung up in the 70s without any reference to the surrounding architecture. The market itself is pretty small and lame. So it's just a bit depressing in that immediate area.
However, there is an increasing number of nice shops around (eg Fat Face, White Stuff etc) but still plenty of 'downmarket' shops too, a tattoo place, a vape shop, etc. Bit of a mix, with Waitrose just round the corner.
Don't want to say exactly where I live (it's a very small village!) but it's in the catchment area for Bottisham Village College.
A good village to choose between Ely and Cambridge is Burwell. Lots of new building so housing supply is good, a large and well resourced primary school, lots of local shops and services in the village (Dr, dentist, bank, chemist, vet, baker, butcher, Co-op, newsagent, several hairdressers, etc etc). Lots of stuff going on, lots of groups and activities. But it is quite a busy and crowded village.
Fordham is quite a nice village. Don't know it terribly well. It's a little further out from Camb so property is cheaper. It's in the catchment for Soham Village College.
Bottisham also a nice village. Not quite as many shops and services as Burwell. Another good primary school and of course the Village College for secondary. But as it's closer to Cambridge property prices are significantly higher than further out.
Swaffham Bulbeck, Swaffham Prior, and Reach. Very pretty but small villages. Small primary schools in Bulbeck and Prior. No services other than a pub in Prior and Reach. Not much property on market, so prices are at a premium compared to Burwell. All in catchment for Bottisham VC.