Moving out of Cambridge - commuting advice

[CambridgePride]

Hello
I live in Cambridge now but would like to move outside to one of the villages so we can get more space for money as kids are growing up. Too much confusion as I have been researching on this, please can you advice ladies.

My DS (guessing terminology here) is in secondary, another year to go so don’t want to change school.

Considering Waterbeach now, even if we workout logistics to drop and pick up from current school, any idea how do the teens from the village socialise or commute to Cambridge for day outs on their own?

If DS goes to sixth form in Cambridge how will the commute work? I do prefer not to be dependent on us for drop offs but happy to do it if the only way.

DS doesn’t want to even discuss for ideas, tells me to move closer to school. But I want to do this as big move and settle down as getting older.

Thank you in advance.

By the way, both of us work in the city. We have sold ours. I am hoping to get suggestions from you all so i have a clear head tomorrow on the next step and where to start looking.

I’ve lived in Waterbeach and commuted to central Cambridge on a daily basis. I’d actually recommend you move a bit further out to Ely. Loads more going on restaurant and bar wise and much more interesting for a late teen especially if they want a part time job. Trains go into Cambridge if schooling in the City rather than locally.

Thanks Shreks. Part time job gets me thinking now. So is Waterbeach a no go for teens?

Buses

We're in a Cambridge village and use buses as much as possible for getting in to town. DC1 is at 6th and commutes by bus daily & to meet up at weekends or go to evening gigs. They have loads of classmates who commute in from Ely by train.

I'm afraid I don't think moving to the country is a great idea, esp as the moment.

House prices won't hold value post Brexit. The further out you go the worse that will be. Cambridge isn't a big place so it's not exactly city life.

Brexit will effect transport links. Some bus routes are already marginalised to near lack of existence and the 2 that spring to mind are Cherry Hinton via Coldhams Lane and Chesterton Fen Rd, so practically city routes.

Go for ely or littleport if you want the kids to have something to do. Littleport spirts Centre is great, and Ely’s got a lot. For waterbeach you’d be forever having to commute in.

I would seriously consider staying put until your DS has left school. Cambridge will be a far better place for him than any of the villages, or even Ely. You'll spend a lot of time and money on fairly crappy bus or train services just to access stuff you have on your doorstep now!

Unless it's changed massively in the last five years, the problem you will face is that there's just not a lot to do in Waterbeach. Comparatively, Ely has restaurants, bars, bowling etc.

It's possible to cycle in to Cambridge from Waterbeach (along the canal) if your ds would be interested in that at all? Obviously depends how far out of the centre he is for school.

Alternatively for public transport you'd have to co nsider buses (with the route in being particularly congested at rush hour), or trains. Ely has more trains into Cambridge than Waterbeach (fewer stop as they pass through).