I live about 7 miles from Ely, in Sutton, and like it there, although there's not massive amounts to do. Big disadvantage with it is the busy road which runs through it. The school has just been ofsted inspected, and its been rated badly - and unfairly IMHO, I've found it a good school. Its a church school, but the emphasis is more on community than church. There's a couple of pre-schools and a mums and tots too. The Scout group, Beavers, Cubs and Scouts really is excellent, and I've heard, one of the best in the area. We have a convenience store and pub and a number of businesses here. There's a meadows area where many people take their dogs to walk, and a play park and a football field.
Ely itself is lovely, we nearly bought there and was pipped to the post on a house. I would steer clear of the High Barns area - its not all bad, but there are rough elements. Near the Cathedral there is a lovely green area where there is a small play park, horses graze and theres a wide open space with a "hill" for running up and down (or what counts for a hill in the Fens). Its also nice down by the river. St Marys is supposed to be a good school, it is a church school though. A friend who has just moved to Ely has had no trouble getting her DS in there. Driving down the A10 to work might be a pain on occasions, it is notorious!
Haddenham is also a much-liked village. Witcham has a good community feel - school is in the nearby village of Mepal and is good (again a church school).
Witchford has an excellent primary school, highly rated. The secondary school recently ranked as outstanding, but for all that, my two won't be going there (long story).
Chatteris has a bit of a reputation, but I wouldn't like to say how much it is deserved.
Closer to Cambridge, Histon is very popular, but like many villages, attracts commuters to Cambridge, and being that bit closer to Cambridge, is more expensive.