Cambridge for a year

[Iafontaine]

I am going to Cambridge for a year to do a long saved for master's degree, taking an unpaid year out from my job. I could take a College room (feel a bit too old for that) but I am thinking of finding a flat somewhere to rent, from September/October. Which areas of the town are nice? Or parts to avoid? And recommendations for your favourite places?

Can't really add anything to the great advice above. Where are you going to be doing your Masters? I would definitely go for a college room. And I would avoid Eddington at all costs. Soulless and mostly post docs.

I lived in Cambridge for a year, although I was there for a work transfer so wasn’t able to access student / graduate accommodation (which is probably the best option!) I rented a flat near the main station, which was lovely. I really liked the area and it was super easy to get into London if I needed to. However I had a terrible Lettings agency, Leaders, who i would strongly advise steering clear of. They tried to take all my deposit until luckily my very decent landlord stepped in!

Thank you! Sorry for coming back to this late but work was insane. I'm doing a law masters so the Faculty is quite central I believe.
Good to know about Leaders, I had seen them on rightmove so will steer clear.
I think Edington is the place where the apartments are offered on the accommodation website waiting list so perhaps not such a great deal.

I wouldn’t recommend Eddington over anything else your college might offer. However, there is a good cheap (University) bus service between there and West Road, where the Law Faculty is.

Interesting. I haven't thought about public transport so that's something to consider.

The system isn’t letting me send you a PM, but if you let me/us know which college you’ll be at we may be able to help further.

By Cambridge standards I wouldn’t say the Law Faculty is central, but it’s not far from the centre by bike, and close to several colleges.

The Sidgwick site, where the Law Faculty is, isn’t well served by public transport apart from that one bus, the U, but really anywhere in Cambridge is within cycling distance of anywhere else in Cambridge if you are reasonably fit.

The U bus links Eddington with West Road, the Railway Station and the Biomedical campus/ Addenbrooke’s hospital. From today some buses go to Girton, too, which is the least central college.

"Mill Road is OK, but not great - it's a poorer area, and a bit scruffy."

Seriously?! A bog-standard terrace goes for nearly a million quid in many of the roads off mill rd! It's become a hugely wealthy area, as indicated by the realms of posh delis and smart cafes. There are still rougher around the edges bits - historically it was certainly a poor area - and lots of ethnic supermarkets, but that gives it energy and character (and a great place to shop!), unlike say Newnham which is a bit too picture-perfect for my liking.
I've lived here for years and there's nowhere in the city I'd rather live!

This. I nearly bought a house in Malta Road in 1996, like this one. I bloody well wish I had now.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/134513855

Yep - and that one is suspiciously cheap for the size/area! We bought back in the early 2000s, when prices were about double what they were in 1996. Now they are hitting 3 to 4 times what we paid. The first time buyers now around here are lawyers and city types commuting to London!

Anyway sorry to sidetrack the thread - the takeaway is that it's a great area to live, but that's also reflected in rents. You definitely would get more for your money in north Cambridge.

Mill Road has excellent restaurants and pubs!

Mill Road, poor 😂 I know a family who live on Gwydir Street. They're both consultants at Addenbrookes 😂

I lived in the area in the early/mid-2000s and it was pretty scruffy then, but the pub I lived opposite turned into a gastropub while I was there and I think that was the turning point.

Personally I'd happily live off Mill Road or in Newnham, but they're completely different vibes.

Also, OP - you say you don't want to drive because of the bikes, but if you become one of them life will be a lot easier.

@Iafontaine , you may have moved in now. Would you mind sharing with us what type of accommodation you chose in the end and which area it’s in?

I hope you have a wonderful year, enjoying the city, the course and the people you meet.

Hi Silver! Soon after I posted this question I had to have my appendix removed so things became complicated. The outcome was I took College accommodation which has been good (outside of the centre) I won't say which College as apparently I am "too feminist". So far it has been a great experience but it is passing very fast. I've met some interesting people. Thank you for your advice (also about transport).