Places to move to in East Anglia

[Ferret123]

Hi all,

I'm new to mumsnet and wondered if anyone could help with this query? My husband and I are planning to move to East Anglia at some point over the next couple of years, but we're still in the early stages of looking around and are open to suggestions about places to live. Obviously a lot will depend on jobs, but in the meantime I'd be really grateful if anyone has any suggestions.

I realise we're looking at quite a big area! I'd say it'd be south Norfolk, Suffolk, north Essex and Cambridgeshire that we'll look at...probably not tiny villages, more market town size. I'm pregnant with our first child too, so we'll have to consider schools...

We do like Bury St Edmunds so would be grateful for any comments about that town, also if there are any nice towns close to Cambridge we'd love to know.

I realise 'nice' is a bit of a vague term and it's all relative...just any suggestions would be great, as we're in the really early stages and we're getting to know the area. We'd obviously prefer somewhere that isn't really rough (lots of groups hanging around causing problems, lots of crime, etc).

Thanks in advance!

I know its not in your area but living in Norwich is great. I lived in Bury an it had a very small town mentality.

Bury is lovely, I live about half an hour away. It has a new shopping centre now and is 'friendlier' than Cambridge IMO, but then I live somewhere not friendly at all so i may be a bit biased!

Lots of lovely villages around Cambridge but ££.

Norwich is fantastic.

Great part of the country altogether. Check out schools before you buy, very important, as living on the wrong side of the road for a good school could be a deal breaker.

Personally, I love Colchester

I'd work out your jobs first, and then look within a reasonable distance - travel around East Anglia can be horrendous. The A14, for example, often grinds to a standstill, and so do the roads into Cambridge. Driving along small twisty roads can be very slow. Prices near stations can be similar to London prices, because a lot of people commute into central London.

The countryside is also very different in the north and the south - flat fenland versus not totally flat countryside.

We are not far from Saffron Walden, and it is lovely. Lots of villages as well close by, very easy to Cambridge and trains quite good to London. Good access to A11/M11/A14/Stansted etc....

East Anglia has some fantastic places right through Cambs/Essex/Suffolk

SW County High School is a very highly rated secondary - and I know there are other excellent schools in the area generally, so not saying it is better, just that it is very good!!!!

We live near Ely and I think its a lovely city. A bit small but has a lovely friendly atmosphere and a lovely cathedral. The schools are generally pretty good too :-)

GrendelsMum makes a very good point -- the demands on the roads are heavy so it would be a real shame to move somewhere you love but then have a nightmare commute. It's taken me the three quarters of an hour just to get out of Cambridge at times and the A14 is notorious.

Wivenhoe, near Colchester. Old village is lovely with Victorian and older houses and a new waterfront development - it's on the river. Several pubs in the village and a couple of restaurants, local shops etc. Library. Sailing clubs etc. Newer housing stock too but some of it not externally attractive. Big park, woods and fields for kids. Easy bus or train to Colchester, choice of primary schools, about an hour to Liverpool St, cheapish property, arty but well mixed community. I was brought up there. Good secondary schools in Colchester. Lovely villages in N Essex and Suffolk for days out, pub grub etc.

Thank you all very much for your replies so far, definitely food for thought.

Funnily enough KarenG someone else mentioned Wivenhoe yesterday, it sounds really nice! Will be paying a visit soon I reckon...