That old chestnut, moving out of London ... Suffolk or Kent?

[RooTwo]

We are thinking of moving out of London within the next couple of years, in time for DD to start secondary school (she's 9 at the mo). We also have a 7 year old and a 1 year old so need to think about primaries as well as secondaries, and this school factor will very much dictate where we end up. We'd like to be near a good choice of both independent and state schools to give us some option ... We love London but are burdened by humungous mortgage and generally are after more space and a more gentle pace of life than the slightly frenetic one we have.

DH is from Suffolk so that is somewhere we naturally think about as we know parts of it well (Ipswich and surrounding area - also North Essex) and love it, but we are also wondering about Kent as we're already in SE London not far from Kent borders, and obv there are loads of good school opps there. Much as I'd love some sort of farmhouse rural idyll I also realise that is not ideal for teenagers so I think a market town would be the best for us - but somewhere where we can still have enough space for us all, with a large garden - where kids can get to their schools relatively easily and have some independence. Ideally somewhere too which has some vibrancy and with things going on, a few decent pubs and the like! Currently our budget would be around 600, looking for at least 4 beds, and a period house, though we won't be moving for a while so that can't really be pinned down yet. Am I asking for the earth or something realistic?! Any advice or thoughts much appreciated ...

Would it be too obvious to ask if you have looked at Norwich?

Ha no not at all Walnutpie - we have wondered, but it seems just a bit too far, and we have no connections with Norwich. Not sure if lifelong Ipswich Town supporter DH could stomach it! Though I know it's lovely, so we're not totally ruling it out ... DH will have to commute in sometimes but only once or twice a week so it doesn't really matter if we're quite far out.

Ofsted have just written a report saying too many secondary schools are failing in Suffolk. Be careful where you move to. There is a great school in Woodbridge, but County provision is patchy.

Public transport is quite poor. Distances may be short but a 15 mile journey on narrow country roads is no fun. The nearest pharmacy shuts at 6.30 and the next biggest supermarket open late is far away. The whole feel can be quite provincial. I wouldn't move.

We are on Suffolk Norfolk border near Diss so halfway between Ipswich and Norwich, good village primaries, two good secondary schools near and several friend commute to London happily. I moved from Edinburgh 15 years ago and love it here.

Bury St Edmunds. Beautiful market town, but big enough to have things going on, and some decent state secondaries. Plenty of nice pubs. £600k would easily buy you 4-5 bed period house in the town centre, probably with some change to spare.

Have heard nothing but good things about Diss.

Yes it's Farlingaye in Woodbridge isn't it millymollymama? Woodbridge is definitely v high up our list though it's not cheap ... though somewhere in surrounding villages could work. Also been wondering about Framlingham where there's a good secondary I think. Also places like Manningtree which we love and then not too far to Colchester.

It's hard to work it all out when we have secondary to think about but also primary for smallest DC - only 1 at the mo but that'll come round quickly enough!

Diss an option too though am a bit worried it's just that bit too much further away and it feels more isolated around there. We feel more in our comfort zone in areas closer to Ipswich and the coast - I'd love to be able to drive to coast in half an hour or so. I've heard good things about Bury too SoftSheen though it feels too far inland ... we do like the Suffolk coast a lot and that's one of the great attractions of moving to Suffolk. Thanks all for very useful comments, keep them coming!

ps lotscot can I ask which good secondaries you're referring to near Diss?

Another one from Diss here - moved from south London 6 years ago. We love it. Public transport for teens is poor though - trains always delayed and buses few and far between. If you don't mind being a taxi service as they get older it's great!

Kesgrave/Martlesham?

Ha ha we are thinking of doing the same thing and moving to my DH's home town of Norwich. I suggested Ipswich and he said he didn't think he could live in the same place as Ipswich Town! They are 40 miles apart!

Diss high school is very well thought of and achieves good results..... my dd has passed through all the schools and has had nothing but positive experiences.

Ha ha fancyanotherfez - you def don't want to be in Ipswich over Norwich! If only Ipswich was as nice as Norwich we'd move there in a flash ... (apologies to any Ipswich dwellers, though my DH would say the same) But yes I think we'd utterly confuse 7 year old DS if we went to live in Norwich - he sleeps in his Ipswich Town kit

Fairylea how do your DCs get about then, and to school etc? Do you drive them everywhere a lot/can they make their own way to school?

We are in mid Suffolk, both children went to Debenham, one now at Farlingaye, one at Northgate and have friends with children at Thomas Mills (Framlingham) - all good schools. We can be in Aldeburgh in 30 mins, Ipswich or Woodbridge in 20 mins. We live in a small village - suits us, and is great now DS can drive, though we have an occasional bus to Ipswich/Framlingham and up to Yr 11 there was a free school bus. If you are looking for a small town, Woodbridge would be great. Bus and train links to Ipswich, the river, a cinema/theatre, and good road links too.

I love Bury St Edmunds, and Southwold (tho don't know too much about the schools).

Don't forget the 11+!

We are lucky to live in the middle of Diss so all schools walking distance. Most of her friends are also within walking distance. ... anything further than that I have to drive her!

Thanks all ... all very helpful! It's reassuring to see that there's plenty of good school options in Suffolk ... I'm going to keep mulling and keep researching!

I live in Ipswich, I do love it, I just live not to far from the new water front about 15min walk threw the park its lovely with bars and restaurants, cafes , there has been a lot of problems with the secondary schools but as my kids are Catholic they go to really good Catholic schools.. The shops in the town are crap but Colchester is not to far, and not to far from London by train... You have lots of choices of beaches plenty of things for the kids to do.. My brother is in Kesgrave and the schools there are good and they have brought so many new shops there...

Friends dc go to Diss and are very happy as are friends, also heard great things about Debenham. Schools all have a bus provided if you are 1 1/2 away. Considering I was in Edinburgh before here I don't think of Diss as remote. We can be in Ipswich, Bury or norwich in 1/2hr and train to London easily if I feel the need!

As are Hartismere friends that should say.

roo I only suggested Ipswich because I love Norwich but my DH was the only one of his friends to don his bag on a stick and head to the bright lights of London when he was a teenager. He has qualms about going back 20 years later, whereas I was born in the bright lights of London and have spent the last 20 years trying to escape! We are going to spend some weekends in some potential areas and see what we like. Thanks for starting the thread, I can piggy back on all your ideas!

Just to chime in with another vote for Woodbridge...I moved here from central Ipswich for the schools and the much nicer area.... it's pretty much perfect... lots going on and really well connected transport wise. Wouldn't recommend Kesgrave though. .. is essentially a housing estate and a tescos (sorry to all who live there )