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!

Hello! Me again, and back from Sunny Ely (not - haven't had weather that bad in a while!!)
We drove and wandered round lots of places in the area, and particularly liked Ely itself (seemed like a great sized-town), Haddenham, Cottenham, Witchford (stayed in a B+B there) and Wicken.
I have more questions now......
If living in Ely, do kids get in to secondary schools easily other than the one in Ely? Obviously standards could change in the 5 years before we need it, but don't want to have to move house again for schools.
Where do kids at the village colleges go for Sixth form?
How do primary kids get to school from Wicken - is there a school bus? I don't really like the idea of driving to school every day or sending them on a bus, but Wicken was beautiful (I also want to be able to walk to the post office and for bread/milk kind of shopping, so probably out on all counts).
For all places, where do you go for swimming lessons (saw a sign to a pool in Cottenham), beavers/rainbows etc, big supermarket, toddler groups, pre-school, childminders (trying to think of anything else that features heavily in our day-to-day life)....
There seem to be houses in our budget in all of the places, so practicalities are the next thing to worry about!
Husband would happily live very ruraly (sp?) relying on the car but I want to be able to walk to the every day things and also to friends.
Thanks again for your help!!

Hi! I will happily answer all the questions I can (mostly on Cottenham). Oh, and I only have 1 baby DS so far, so not that informed about school places etc. Just know that Cottenham primary isn't oversubscribed.
So... in Cottenham there is a public heated outdoor pool but it's closing soon due to funding issues. There may be a new one built though, and the primary school has it's own one anyway. As far as I know there is beavers/rainbows in the village, and there are certainly toddler groups (loads), pre-schools (Ladybirds is good I hear) and childminders. The big supermarket is Milton tescos (10/15 min drive) or Waitrose in Ely I guess. Personally I do internet shopping and then go to village shops (co-op, grocer, baker, good butcher, chemist, newsagent) for bits and bobs. Hope this helps and good luck with your move

Thanks, that is really helpful! I phoned the primary in Cottenham today about a hypothetical start this Sept, and they would have places for both kids which is fab. Same in Haddenham too, so that is a big weight off my mind.
Cottenham looked to have good village shops - and a wee cafe too if I have remembered the right place.

Haddenham is nice, good primary school, nursarys and pre-schools, 2 local newsagents, chemist, chip/chinese shop, barbers and hairdressers, beauty salon, book shop, library, post office, nature areas, doctors surgery, lots of kids clubs (i.e. Rainbows, cheerleading and air cadets, sports clubs), village hall. Childrens play area, recreational area. Bus services to Cambridge/Ely OK, not very frequent. 10 minute drive to Ely, 20 mins to Cambridge. We have lived her 5 years and it's the best move we made (I work near Royston and hubby works in centre of Cambridge - never have any real problems with traffic).

Apart from Kings independent school the other choice is often Soham VC BUT it is frequently over-subscribed by those within catchment and several appeals are often heard each year. Unfortunately this seems to be the case with any desirable school, especially if there is one which is not so popular nearby.

There will be a free school bus if the nearest primary is more than 2 miles from the village. The catchment secondary for Wicken is Soham VC.

Don't know about the rest of the things you mention, but Ely has a pool and sports centre and nearby Littleport has a sports centre too (unsure if it has a pool). Ely has a large Tesco to the south of the city and a Waitrose in the centre.

Ladies,

If you are interested I am just starting my proposal of opening a Free secondary school in Ely, which will be written about in local press soon.

If you are facebook member please join group 'Ely Free School' which will give you information about my mission and aims and keep you updated on my progress - you can also follow me on twitter : hannahtotman

If you, like me want a better education for your child, without the price tag of the independent sector then you need to join my mission and support this cause.

Our children deserve the best education and I aim to show everyone that this can be done and luckily - it's going to be in ELY!!!!!

Join the group please and show your support and invite other mums who you think would be in support of this venture.

Best Wishes
Hannah Totman

Hi...yes im intrigued too! :) i live abroad (although born and breed in London) have absolutely no idea of Cambridge but would like to move there,...and foolish as it sounds i went by the cute sounding names! Chatteris sounds cute! :) but now having herd sooo many comments about it, i feel its best avoided!!! :z

This thread is as old as the hills but I wondered whether anyone had an opinion on littleport? I have concerns about its reputation and the two schools don't have great ousted reports. Is it a good place to raise a child. My son is 5 and we are looking to move out of London soon and considering how far our budget will stretch.

This thread is as old as the hills but I wondered whether anyone had an opinion on littleport? I have concerns about its reputation and the two schools don't have great ousted reports. Is it a good place to raise a child. My son is 5 and we are looking to move out of London soon and considering how far our budget will stretch.

Hi!
Does anyone know anything about Chiefs Street? I’m thinking of moving there, but I’m worried about it having antisocial behaviour, as there seems to be a large flat/social housing complex there (Bakers Corner) one of which has been the subject of closure orders for antisocial behaviour. Can anyone reassure me that the area is quiet and nice, or indeed let me know if it’s horrible and I need to avoid it?
Thanks, just really don’t want to live there if it’s grim/noisy. I have a small little girl.

@EsmeRosa

Hi! Does anyone know anything about Chiefs Street? I’m thinking of moving there, but I’m worried about it having antisocial behaviour, as there seems to be a large flat/social housing complex there (Bakers Corner) one of which has been the subject of closure orders for antisocial behaviour. Can anyone reassure me that the area is quiet and nice, or indeed let me know if it’s horrible and I need to avoid it? Thanks, just really don’t want to live there if it’s grim/noisy. I have a small little girl.

You would be better off starting your own new thread in the local section so people can see it and reply.

Kids in ely don’t tend to get I to the other secondary schools these days (soham/witchford). However there’s a new secondary at littleport that seems on a good trajectory.

@EsmeRosa chiefs street is a nice area. I had friends who lived there and they never had any issues. I think it’s also in the St. John’s primary catchment (good).

[quote KleineDracheKokosnuss]@EsmeRosa chiefs street is a nice area. I had friends who lived there and they never had any issues. I think it’s also in the St. John’s primary catchment (good).[/quote]
Thank you so much!! 🙂🙂🙂