Relocating Bury St Edmunds v Cambridgeshire

[mrsbrightside73]

We are in Herts and will be looking to relocate in around 12-18m. We are considering areas around Cambridge, also like Bury St Edmunds, but honestly do not know these areas well at all. Daughter is off to uni in Oct & plan was always to sell our 4 bed detached in Herts at this point & move somewhere slightly smaller & maybe a bit further north. Originally we considered Nottingham as hubby from that area, but my family are in Chelmsford & Essex coast. So we've decided to still be close enough to Chelmsford but maybe slightly closer to Notts than we are now. The areas around Cambridge interest us as its a pretty good midway point. We wouldn't need to commute to London, husband will be mainly home based with occasional visits to Liverpool Street for work. I don't drive so not looking for rural, ideally somewhere with a train station or good bus way links. We like a bit of life, pubs, some shops etc, so a town or large village. It's a big decision and we are struggling to find a place we love which also works location wise. The problem is 2 of my husband's siblings are in Nottingham and my family, my parents and sister, are all East. My husband parents are no longer with us and I now feel I don't want to be as far away as Notts from all my family. Moving East takes us even further from Notts so we are really stuck to please everyone! A mid way point seems sensible. Any suggestions for a town/large village, ideally with a station and a bit of life would be great, so we can research and explore some places and areas. We are quite social, like to walk and I'd need opportunities to make new friends. All suggestions welcome 😊 Thank you.

So basically you need to be somewhere near the London to Cambridge line for rail connections (onwards to Peterborough for Newark at least), and near the M11/A14/A1.

I would definitely take another look at Saffron Walden. It is a lovely town. The station is at Wendens Ambo (Audley End) but it’s really not far - a bike ride if you cycle, or a bus ride from the town centre.

Or possibly Bishops Stortford, which is very easy for Chelmsford and the east coast, great rail connections to London and Cambridge and next to the M11, but has most of what you would need/want in a small town.

Huntingdon might be another option? Definitely worth looking at Ely.

To be honest, if you can afford it, I’d go for the outskirts of Cambridge.

Stamford could suit your needs. Pretty Georgian town, plenty going on, it's on the A1 and is 10 mins by train to Peterborough, so is well-connected for both Cambridge and Nottingham.
We like it!

@ShiteheadRevisited

Stamford could suit your needs. Pretty Georgian town, plenty going on, it's on the A1 and is 10 mins by train to Peterborough, so is well-connected for both Cambridge and Nottingham. We like it!

Thanks, we have been to Stamford, we did like it but noticed the traffic in the town was awful, in long queues just to get parked! As a town I really liked it though, one to look further at, its further away from my family so will have to look at travel times.

@WhatsTheTimeMrCat

So basically you need to be somewhere near the London to Cambridge line for rail connections (onwards to Peterborough for Newark at least), and near the M11/A14/A1.

I would definitely take another look at Saffron Walden. It is a lovely town. The station is at Wendens Ambo (Audley End) but it’s really not far - a bike ride if you cycle, or a bus ride from the town centre.

Or possibly Bishops Stortford, which is very easy for Chelmsford and the east coast, great rail connections to London and Cambridge and next to the M11, but has most of what you would need/want in a small town.

Huntingdon might be another option? Definitely worth looking at Ely.

To be honest, if you can afford it, I’d go for the outskirts of Cambridge.

Many thanks, lots of good advice there, I think Saffron Walden is worth a closer look, we weren't that keen on Huntingdon. Will definitely be visiting the outskirts of cambridge to investigate.

@Mufflette

People I know who live in Ely really like it. It's still a tiny bit fen but has a nice community feel. Lots of arts stuff going on (Babylon Arts, Toppings bookshop and the cathedral), fab markets and easy to just walk out of town and be in the countryside. Lots of nice villages nearby with good pubs too. Easy train links to Cambridge, London, Midlands, North from there (and to Bury too).

If I had to choose I'd pick Bury to live in, better shops, restaurants, loads going on, but it just depends how important that train link to London is - the more rural lines can be a bit unreliable (often cancellations).

Do you mind if I ask what 'a tiny bit fen' means?

If I could live anywhere in the world, I would live in Newnham Village in Cambridge. A quick walk into town or a quick walk to Granchester across the fens. I think it has everything you could possibly want (and I think Cambridge is the most lovely city).

Cambridge and Bury are so different. Cambridge is much busier so you must prefer one over the other. Go stay in the angel hotel for a weekend and go to the gardens etc and see what you think. Loads of great pubs and great food. I think bury is much nicer and you learn to deal with the transport.

Should say I've lived in both!

@Morechocmorechoc

Cambridge and Bury are so different. Cambridge is much busier so you must prefer one over the other. Go stay in the angel hotel for a weekend and go to the gardens etc and see what you think. Loads of great pubs and great food. I think bury is much nicer and you learn to deal with the transport.

We have stayed for a weekend in BSE and dis enjoy it, also been there twice for thr Christmas Market. Cambridge I know less, have visited Cambridge itself and liked it but in a honestly was more interested in the towns and villages around it. We are quite open minded and have also considered Stamford, Saffron Walden and Ely, so it's about researching them more, weighing up pros and cons, transport, travel times etc. Lots to consider but plenty of time to visit and research.

Saffron Walden seems to fit the bill and is lovely.

Or look at Histon or Cottenham which are just North of Cambridge and I would class as large villages, if you like the idea of being near Cambridge. But in your shoes, with family in Essex, a need for husband to get to Liverpool Street sometimes, and a wish for a bit of life, I'd head to Saffron Walden. Bury is a lovely place too but is just that bit further from everything.

There is a station in BSE it goes to Cambridge in one direction & Ipswich in another - it isn't flat like most of East Anglia & does have a major bus station which has some of the national coach connections (check traveline) It has a lot of small independent shops & there is a good Jazz scene in local area (& in one of the town pubs) Good market twice a week. A hospital with a&e no less! There is a lovely Regency Theatre as well as a modern one in the Arc Shopping centre. The town has a good buzz - & a fair amount going on for your age group (Art groups etc) It has a very decent library & lots of coffee shops, tea rooms,& restaurants & cafes
Have you looked at Newmarket - by the way?

We live in the North of Cambridge and I love that I can cycle everywhere. Great restaurants, museums, shops, sports/fitness clubs and I love the Arts cinema. Plenty going on. It is pretty expensive though. Quite an active retired community, lots going to University of the third age.- thinking ahead.
Redmayne are good estate agents for advice.

I live in a village near Huntingdon. Huntingdon itself isn't great, the villages are lovely. Transport is really good, both road and train. Most people shop in Peterborough or Cambridge (quick now the a14 has been done).
Stamford is lovely but quite a bit further north.
Fen-y means quite insular.

@mumwon

There is a station in BSE it goes to Cambridge in one direction & Ipswich in another - it isn't flat like most of East Anglia & does have a major bus station which has some of the national coach connections (check traveline) It has a lot of small independent shops & there is a good Jazz scene in local area (& in one of the town pubs) Good market twice a week. A hospital with a&e no less! There is a lovely Regency Theatre as well as a modern one in the Arc Shopping centre. The town has a good buzz - & a fair amount going on for your age group (Art groups etc) It has a very decent library & lots of coffee shops, tea rooms,& restaurants & cafes Have you looked at Newmarket - by the way?

Thanks, yes we've always liked BSE and it's definitely an option for us. We have been to Newmarket once but didn't really stay that long, didn't really make much of an impression on us and I think I've heard negative things about it. Is it worth a visit?

@Tripletmum3

We live in the North of Cambridge and I love that I can cycle everywhere. Great restaurants, museums, shops, sports/fitness clubs and I love the Arts cinema. Plenty going on. It is pretty expensive though. Quite an active retired community, lots going to University of the third age.- thinking ahead. Redmayne are good estate agents for advice.

Thanks, I need to get better at cycling I'm OK on cycle paths etc but not good on roads with traffic. It would be nice to be able to cycle more though and get more confident. Will definitely look at North Cambridge though, any particular places you like? Thanks.

@Theworldisfullofgs

I live in a village near Huntingdon. Huntingdon itself isn't great, the villages are lovely. Transport is really good, both road and train. Most people shop in Peterborough or Cambridge (quick now the a14 has been done). Stamford is lovely but quite a bit further north. Fen-y means quite insular.

Thanks, yes we weren't that impressed with Huntingdon and had heard it wasn't great. Which of the villages are nice around there? Do any of them have train stations? I don't think I could be in a village without excellent transport links.

Don't bother with Newmarket, BSE is much nicer.
I do like Ely as well, but then I live in one of the Cambridge/Newmarket village so anywhere has a bit more going on than here (pub, school, 2 churches).

I used to live very near Ely then moved to BSE, much prefer Suffolk so I would opt for BSE every time. I prefer the vibe to that of Cambridge or Ely.

I also suggest looking at Histon (and Impington - officially 2 villages but joined together). Transport wise - no train station but not far to Cambridge North station, and standard bus or guided bus into Cambridge or cycling. Also close to the A14. Large village(s) with lots of facilities / shops / pubs and great community spirit. Its quite popular though so lots of competition for houses.

@Theworldisfullofgs

I live in a village near Huntingdon. Huntingdon itself isn't great, the villages are lovely. Transport is really good, both road and train. Most people shop in Peterborough or Cambridge (quick now the a14 has been done). Stamford is lovely but quite a bit further north. Fen-y means quite insular.

I do too. Huntingdon itself is awful but cross the bridge and you’re in a different world. The only place mentioned I’d move to from here is Stamford. It’s so pretty, has a thriving arts scene and has very easy access by road and train.

Shopping in Peterborough is awful now John Lewis has closed and I can only see that getting worse but it’s easy to go to Nottingham to shop from Stamford.

Power, two drawers for pans, induction hob. All good advice. Hubby is an architect so it has to like nice but I want it to be practical too. Extractors? Hate noisy ones, what did you find?

@CarrotCakeMuffins

I also suggest looking at Histon (and Impington - officially 2 villages but joined together). Transport wise - no train station but not far to Cambridge North station, and standard bus or guided bus into Cambridge or cycling. Also close to the A14. Large village(s) with lots of facilities / shops / pubs and great community spirit. Its quite popular though so lots of competition for houses.

Thanks, yes we are definitely going to visit Histon.

@Chasingsquirrels

Don't bother with Newmarket, BSE is much nicer. I do like Ely as well, but then I live in one of the Cambridge/Newmarket village so anywhere has a bit more going on than here (pub, school, 2 churches).

Thanks, we have a lot to research and visit but looks like we have a good shortlist now of BSE, Ely, Stamford, Saffron Walden and maybe Cambridgeshire villages.

'A bit fen' - it's quite hard to describe actually (though I see I'm not the only one to say it so maybe someone else will do a better job!). I suppose essentially (literally in fact!) Ely is an island in the middle of some sparsely populated and historically quite insular areas, so while it's a great place with a lot going on and well connected by rail there is still that bit of 'fen-ness' that comes with that history of being more isolated. I wouldn't see it as a deal breaker if you liked everything else about it though.

Also to add, I wouldn't bother with Newmarket (I lived there for years) - it's not horrible but not great either - very much weighted to the very rush of horseracing at one end of the scale and the very underpaid of horseracing at the other with not much to offer if you're in the middle.