Moving to Cambridge as a family

[Tsarina123]

Hello, lovely people of Cambridge!

We are a family of 3 (soon to be 4) who are seriously considering relocating to Cambridge.

We’ve visited a few times and love how vibrant the city centre is, that it’s walkable/cyclable, the greenery, the architecture and that it’s an international city.

I’d love to hear feedback on what it’s like raising kids/living in the city. Specifically:

• How are the state primary & secondary schools? Are there any particularly exceptional schools?
• How are the private schools?
• Are there lots of activities for preschoolers and tweens/teens? (We don’t want to move again!)
• Parents of teens- do you feel that the city is safe enough to give your kids freedom to go into town by themselves etc?
• What are the nice/family friendly areas to live? I’ve heard great things about Newnham- are there other places that are that we should be looking into?
• Is it relatively easy to meet people and establish community? (I appreciate this is often down to how much time/effort you’re willing to put in)

Any information would be very appreciated as we don’t know anyone who lives there 🙏

Hello! Cambridge is mostly great but expensive. Schools are generally excellent and that reflects the population- many academics and tech sector parents with high levels of education, along with a good sized international population that values education. For secondary, Parkside, Chesterton, St Bede’s are all great, and Sawston and Comberton village colleges further out are also brilliant. Private schools are also great - the Perse and the Leys in particular, but if you get one of the better Cambridge secondaries most people wouldn’t bother paying for private. My DC’s secondary has a lot of ex prep pupils; I wouldn’t pay for Sancton Wood or St Mary’s over a good Cambridge state. The Perse in particular is ruthlessly competitive.

It’s generally safe - most secondary kids cycle everywhere. You’ll probably get your bike stolen at some point.

Loads of extra curricular. Music is weirdly quite poor but there are good choir options. If you are serious about music you are either at the private schools or going further afield - there’s an excellent Saturday school in Saffron Walden and some children go to the JDs in London. Sport options are good, including slightly more niche sports like fencing.

Parents can be quite tribal so watch out for that. There’s a sizeable crunchy/antivax crowd, and Shelford whilst lovely can be quite Motherlandish. People would generally say to avoid Arbury but it’s bad by Cambridge standards, not that horrific!

The city is used to newcomers and it’s generally easy to put down roots. The surrounding villages can be good places to look as well, depending on where you’ll be working. Do NOT underestimate how crap Cambridge traffic is- don’t drive to work if you can at all avoid it.

Deaf leopard, thank you- this is the kind of insider intel I was looking for!

It’s great to know that the state schools are very well regarded and there’s plenty of clubs.

My partner will be commuting to London 3 times a week so we’ll need to be within easy reach of the station and the city centre ideally.

Also, perhaps a bit of a daft question, but what is “Motherlandish”?! I’m not from the UK so I don’t always get references 😅

Ah okay - Motherland is a BBC sitcom that pokes fun at all the different school gate mum stereotypes :D It’s worth a watch on iPlayer if you can get it.

Cambridge South station will be opening early next year which means Trumpington will be a better option than it ie now for London commuting.

• How are the state primary & secondary schools? Are there any particularly exceptional schools?

Mixed, as they are in most places. Often the better schools are in the areas with the more expensive housing, but sometimes their catchment includes pockets of more affordable options.

• How are the private schools?

Good, although there isn't an all boys option.

• Are there lots of activities for preschoolers and tweens/teens? (We don’t want to move again!)

Yes, loads.

• Parents of teens- do you feel that the city is safe enough to give your kids freedom to go into town by themselves etc?

Yes, with some experience (parent and child) of places/times/events to steer clear of, it's a pretty safe place for teenagers.

• What are the nice/family friendly areas to live? I’ve heard great things about Newnham- are there other places that are that we should be looking into?

You can find nice places all around the city. Newnham, Castle, parts of Arbury and West Chesterton, more central areas of Abbey, Petersfield, most of Romsey, parts of Coleridge, Queen Ediths, Trumpington. Consider your housing budget (rental of buying) and find an area where there are lots of properties at or above your range, and you'll probably be fine.

• Is it relatively easy to meet people and establish community? (I appreciate this is often down to how much time/effort you’re willing to put in)

Depends on the individuals, but I'd say yes. Pre-school activities and primary school parent networks were great for us, as they are for many people. If you find people that are local and have kids the same age, you're half way there.