Moving to Great Chesterford or Saffron Walden?

[KindSwan]

Hi, we are thinking about moving to either Great Chesterford or in Saffron Walden town with our 2 young children. I just wanted to hear peoples experience of the areas and which would be the easiest to settle in and make friends, for us and the kids?
Also if there is anything regarding schools that I should be aware of?
Thank you so much!

Its up to what you think about the place.
But for me both places are very bland and boring.

Friends moved to Saffron Walden about 10 years ago. It is a nice little market town. There is a lovely market on a Saturday with lovely bread, fruit and deli stalls, not loads of tat. There are also plenty of independent shops. I think there is a Waitrose and other decent supermarkets (no Sainsbury's though, which they missed).

Their children thrived at Saffron Walden County High. From what they have said, the facilities are great and include a proper theatre.

They don't find it boring, but I suppose it depends what you like to do. The school catchment is wide, so there were lots of lifts until the DC learned to drive.

Our friends go to a number of pubs and restaurants locally, and often get the train into London. My friend works in London one day a week and it is doable.

It would suit me if we ever had to go down south.

Saffron Walden is lovely and very friendly with excellent schools. I have a feeling you need to take care where you live with schools for catchments to avoid being out of all the schools but if you live in central Saffron Walden its fine.

Lots of community events including annual fireworks, near Audley End for house and station, easy to reach Cambridge. Commuting into London depends how often and where how viable it is and if there were issues on the line whole line could go down c once a month in winter. Commute is pricey to London. Good range of shops, restaurants etc. Lots of lovely old houses. Everyone says hello. There's a gardens there where lots go with young kids. Some of the old houses have communal gardens but that can make making friends easier.

Saffron Walden is lovely, high school is great. Only downside is lack of train station within walking distance but Audley End is near by car. Chesterford is nice enough, just a village with small primary school but it has a station.