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Original poster

Looming to move to Cambridge

58 replies

Samara26 · 08/01/2022 05:47

I am considering a move to Cambridge, due to its lively bar scene, cheaper housing and well-paid tech jobs.

My only concern is I've heard the city is very congested and parking is difficult. If I was to live in one of the surrounding areas, how would I get in and out of the city, as I've heard it's always busy? I'm not a cyclist and will be too far out to walk (probably up to 5 miles out).

Also is commuting by train to other places very convenient, and are there any areas to avoid?

My budget is 350-370k n for a 3 bed semi.

I'm also considering Bicester and Didcot for their proximity to Oxford.

OP posts:
HeddaGarbled · 09/01/2022 00:57

I am considering a move to Cambridge, due to its ……… cheaper housing

😃

Original poster
Samara26 · 09/01/2022 04:04

[quote KloppsTeeth]Sorry that one is over budget, but gives you an idea. Things sell quickly and for over asking price so you might be better renting somewhere so you are in a good position to buy
Another one but with best and final offers, sounds like it went for over asking price
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/113896511[/quote]
Yes it's only 10 mins by car and within budget! Not far at all! I can go up to around 355k

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Original poster
Samara26 · 09/01/2022 04:05

[quote KloppsTeeth]Sorry that one is over budget, but gives you an idea. Things sell quickly and for over asking price so you might be better renting somewhere so you are in a good position to buy
Another one but with best and final offers, sounds like it went for over asking price
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/113896511[/quote]
365k that was meant to read!

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CambridgeLightBlue · 09/01/2022 05:56

If Bristol is too studenty for you don't look at places around Cambridge or Oxford! Not only are they both really expensive, they are both very studenty!

Zonder · 09/01/2022 05:59

Yes it's only 10 mins by car and within budget! Not far at all! I can go up to around 355k

Again, Milton is only 10 mins by car in the middle of the night!

I'm not sure why you're not believing people about Cambridge being expensive and about traffic being heavy. There are places with more of a nightlife and cheaper housing!

countrygirl99 · 09/01/2022 06:18

Your looking at Cambridge but have discounted Bristol as to students?!? Have you ever been to Cambridge?

Original poster
Samara26 · 09/01/2022 07:50

@Zonder

Yes it's only 10 mins by car and within budget! Not far at all! I can go up to around 355k

Again, Milton is only 10 mins by car in the middle of the night!

I'm not sure why you're not believing people about Cambridge being expensive and about traffic being heavy. There are places with more of a nightlife and cheaper housing!

I do believe you. Any other suggestions?
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Original poster
Samara26 · 09/01/2022 07:52

@countrygirl99

Your looking at Cambridge but have discounted Bristol as to students?!? Have you ever been to Cambridge?
No haha, I just did some research online and everyone always says it's beautiful. I guess it's relative as to where you came from? If you're used to London, Cambridge may seem quiet and boring but if you're used to sleepy Surrey, it might seem lively??
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Original poster
Samara26 · 09/01/2022 07:53

@countrygirl99

Your looking at Cambridge but have discounted Bristol as to students?!? Have you ever been to Cambridge?
Also everyone in a previous thread said any half decent area in Bristol is out of my budget and my budget would push me into the tougher areas
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Original poster
Samara26 · 09/01/2022 07:57

@CambridgeLightBlue

If Bristol is too studenty for you don't look at places around Cambridge or Oxford! Not only are they both really expensive, they are both very studenty!
Witney, Bicester and Didcot are not expensive compared to other areas and are all relatively close. I drive from Witney into the Center of Oxford on a Saturday evening in 25 minutes. I then drove on to Bicester that also took 15-20 minutes. Didcot is 12 mins by train

By studenty, I mean everyone dresses like students, not just the students. A bit like Brighton.

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Original poster
Samara26 · 09/01/2022 08:00

@CambridgeLightBlue

If Bristol is too studenty for you don't look at places around Cambridge or Oxford! Not only are they both really expensive, they are both very studenty!
That should have read drove from Witney to Oxford in 15 mins. There's absolutely nothing in Witney though from what I could see.
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gogohm · 09/01/2022 08:04

It's neither cheap nor does it have a lively bar scene (trad pubs a plenty, nice restaurants but lively no). There's buses or cycle basically, if you live in an outlying village as i did you use the park and ride.

gogohm · 09/01/2022 08:09

You could look at Royston though if you don't mind an outlying town, good links to London and Cambridge is one stop on the train (a few on the stopping train). It's not exciting though.

If you want a bit more happening then the midlands is a better bet, houses are cheaper but your train fare to London is more

Original poster
Samara26 · 09/01/2022 08:11

@gogohm

You could look at Royston though if you don't mind an outlying town, good links to London and Cambridge is one stop on the train (a few on the stopping train). It's not exciting though.

If you want a bit more happening then the midlands is a better bet, houses are cheaper but your train fare to London is more

Anywhere in particular in the midlands? I try to avoid london when I can Smile
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gogohm · 09/01/2022 08:14

Have a look at Leicester, much more in line with what you want nightlife wise, there's lots of new builds including some walking distance from the city centre (near football ground) oadby is a good bet if you don't mind a short bus ride into the city centre and you go past the station too on that bus, large 15 year old or so development. £200k buys you a house

seekingsolace2 · 09/01/2022 08:22

There's some new builds estate in didcot. Croudace homes I think? 2 bed for 327k, not sure about 3 beds though. Also new builds in wantage which is in Oxfordshire but it's a more village feel. Reading is too expensive, I agree! Good luck.

Gingerninja4 · 09/01/2022 08:24

Bishop's stortford works well if need train to London or Cambridge so handy if want a night out somewhere differnt and trains run pretty late

Plenty of pubs in the town but no clubs

Saffron Walden is lovely but feeling you may find it to quiet

Mufflette · 09/01/2022 08:40

If you're willing to go for 2 bed rather than 3 you would get options within Cambridge itself, or in Water each which is a village but only 10 mins on the train.

Driving into Cambridge depends on where you're coming from and going to, if it's not right into the city centre it's really not that bad. However they are thinking of introducing a congestion charge, and parking is really expensive if you end up working somewhere without parking on site so it's good to have a public transport option!

Mufflette · 09/01/2022 08:40

Sorry that was autocorrected - should be Waterbeach!

lljkk · 09/01/2022 08:58

hahaha... I had a short break in Witney last year & quite liked it! As lively as any place I would want to live.

Other places, not just Cambridge, are in the top 9 for UK Tech Sector cities.

I wonder what OP means by "well paid"

VanGoghsDog · 09/01/2022 09:08

How about Milton Keynes?

KloppsTeeth · 09/01/2022 10:44

If you can afford Milton, go for it. Easy walk to the science park for jobs. Park and ride into the city, Milton Country Park is great for walks too.

KloppsTeeth · 09/01/2022 10:51

What about further north, Manchester has great tech jobs. You might find something within budget in Didsbury, which has lots of bars etc.

You need Kirstie and Phil!

Original poster
Samara26 · 09/01/2022 23:42

@VanGoghsDog

How about Milton Keynes?
I was considering MK and visited several times but I really didn't get a positive vibe from the area - particularly the shopping Center and area by the ski dome and bars. The hub was nice but that's about it. I've also seen it has high crime statistics and some areas estate agebts flagged as been good, did not feel nice at all. I did loads of research and the general theme that came out of it was that it's extremely soulless and a boring place.
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Original poster
Samara26 · 09/01/2022 23:45

@lljkk

hahaha... I had a short break in Witney last year & quite liked it! As lively as any place I would want to live.

Other places, not just Cambridge, are in the top 9 for UK Tech Sector cities.

I wonder what OP means by "well paid"

I'm a contractor so it's a little different, based on hourly rate compared to London.
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