Moving to Ely area

[ClareV]

Hi
We are looking to move somewhere near Ely (or Ely itself) with my husband working in Waterbeach.
We are heading that way in a couple of weeks to have a good look at the area.
Which villages do you like / would you like to live in?
We like older properties rather than new build if that makes a difference.
I'd like to be able to go for a walk from the door with the buggy, taking us to green areas.
We'd need a (good) primary school - how easy is it to get a place when moving into the area? (Obviously I'd speak to schools once I've got an idea of area).
I also would like baby/toddler groups and activities so I, and my younger 2, can make some friends.
Chatteris has come up frequently on rightmove - what is that like?
What is Ely like itself?
Any suggestions of other villages we should target?
Any suggestions or comments would be much appreciated!

Thanks!
Hadn't discounted Waterbeach, just not seen many properties coming up there. We're only at the early stages of planning this, so looking at what we could get for our money was my starting point!
We will definitly have a look there when we go over.

Hi, I'm moving to Cottenham in a few days (!) and it has a lot going for it, especially for young families. Loads of baby/toddler groups, Ofsted outstanding primary school (not oversubscribed), great preschool, shops, village green etc. You can get quite a lot for your money there it seems and a lot of the houses are pretty and old. Also has a community centre just opened. Histon/Impington nice too and bit closer to Cambridge but more expensive for it. Ely lovely in parts and has the train station which is a big advantage. Good luck!

That sounds great Fourleaf - how old are you kids? Just wondering how easy it was to get a place at your preferred primary school.
I've got a son in Class 1 and a daughter who would be starting in Sept '11 or Jan '12 (we'd be applying for her school place this autumn round here, but wouldn't be moving so soon, so may well have to find a school with a space for 2 kids - tricky?)
Good luck with the move!

I have lived in Ely for 11 years now. It is really nice. There are basic shops (you would need to go to Cambridge for good clothes shopiing etc but we have a DP and New Look for emergencies) and we love that it is small enough to walk to dinner and back so don't have to worry about taxis. Also being on the main line to London is a bonus.

Can't comment on schools as I'm pregnant with my first, but we are happy that we are going to be bringing her up around here as it feels quite safe and nice (I lived in Sunderland for 3 years so most places feel safer!)

I have friends who live in Witchford and really like it there if you want a village.
Good luck.

There's a reason properties in Cottenham are quiet cheap though. I personally like it but the issues with the travellers has put a lot of people off.

coolma - did you mean cottenham or chatteris?
thanks for all the replies. we are going next weekend to stay and explore a bit and will be taking all your comments with us!

Cottenham. There is a long history of traveller/ villager conflict there which has forced house prices down.

Thanks! Just checking as other people have commented on Chatteris too!!

Chatteris is just....odd!

I live in Cottenham. I've been here for 7 years and wouldn't live anywhere else. The school is outstanding and it's fantastic for families. As far as the traveller situation goes we've never had any problems nor has any one else we know. Media hysteria if you ask me and completely blown out of proportion.

Property prices are cheaper because it's further out of Cambridge but they are rising again. Most people I know here who have moved have done so with in the village to larger or period properties. People don't
tend to move away unless they have to which definetely says something about an area.

If you really want to get to know a place speak to the people who live there. There's some lovely villages in this area don't be put off by what you hear.
Good luck

Thanks Adriennemole. It's hard moving somewhere new to find out about a place just by visiting, so all these posts are invaluable.
I posted on the Ely forum too, and Cottenham comes up lots as a good place to live.
Thanks again everyone!!

wicken is also nice if a little quiet, stretham is the same although has a school. Little thetford is also nice with a good primary school.

Haddenham and wilburton are worth a look as well.

Chatteris is best avoided and is a long way out. How about Milton?

ok, i have to ask now - i've never been there, and have been put off looking, but what is wrong with chatteris? just intrigued now!
husband ver impressed with the list of places to explore that i have been given here.
i hope to be back next week with lots of questions for you!!

Ely would suit your needs well.

There are a fair few new build estates around the outskirts, but older properties in the centre of Ey itself.

It's small enough that you're in walking distance from everywhere really, and there are some great open spaces near the Cathedral (horses, play park etc) and by the river.

There are three or four primary schools (can't remember), of which the majority get really great Ofsted reports. There's also a private school if that's mroe your thing.

I'm not too clued up re; toddler groups, but there is a local sure start centre, and there's tumble tots a couple of times a week. There's also a leisure centre that holds different activities, as well as swimming.

As a general point, Ely is lovely. There's a bit of everything on your doorstep, and it's just got a lovely laid back community feel. We moved closer to Cambridge at the start of the year and I can't wait to one day move back!

Best of luck

Ely is nice but there are areas to be avoided, just as in any city. Don't know about primary schools but the down-side is state secondary provision as Ely College hasn't the best of reputations.

Soham is friendly and nice enough, both primaries are good too. Enough shops to get by (Coop, butchers, Budgens, hardware shop and the best Italian restaurant for miles!).

Closer to Cambridge there's the village of Fen Ditton. Very good primary, nice community spirit in the village and within walking distance across commons/footpaths along the river to Cambridge.

Hope this helps.

Want to live in Fen Ditton dh plays cricket for them.

Was going to suggest Fen Ditton, as I live there. The village itself is quite small though. It's a 15 walk to the buses to town, or about that long to walk to Chesterton along the river as Vallhala suggests. I personally love it, we don't have a car so we bike everywhere and the links to Cambridge are excellent. DD is only a baby so no schooling yet, but I hear good things about the primary.

State schools definitly needed. Bad enough meeting mortgage payments, never mind school fees x 3!!
Although secondary school is a long way off (DS in year 1) we only thought we'd live here for a couple of years and it's been almost 7, so if the same happens with our next move (and I'd like to find a forever-ish place) then that will take us well in to secondary.
Secondary schools also needed for me - I'm a science teacher - although possibly going to use the move to have a break from work for a bit (about to return from 3rd period of mat leave)!

From what I gather the secondary school most children go to from the village is Bottisham. That's another village maybe to consider.

Klerka, Fen Ditton school was very good in almost all ways a few years ago. The head my children had left within the last year or so, hence I can't comment now. I had HUGE run-ins with her over a serious issue wrt a parent accosting my DCs and eventually moved them but I couldn't fault the school's academic results (or my DCs) or the behaviour of the children.

WRT Bottisham VC, the alternative to it is Soham VC. Those in some areas are in catchment for both and Soham is generally seen as the preferred option and is, I believe, academically more successful. IME Soham VC is good for the average or above child who is pretty standard in personality and manner but being a very large school doesn't necessarily suit the more 'different' child.

Burwell is a nice enough village too and is one of those which is in both catchment areas. The village school is quite good but larger than average. Nearby Swaffham Prior is considered a very good school and seems to be in a pleasant village.

There's also Wicken, a bit remote but very pretty.

ClareV, as a science teacher you'll find that most of the village colleges would be desperate to employ you. If you visited one as a prospective parent and let on that you taught science, the Head would probably woo you to put in some teaching hours.

Excellent!!!