Relocating to Cambridge - help me plan the perfect 'research' day.

[daytoday]

Hi all,

We are planning some trips to Cambridge with a view to moving there (currently in London). Can anyone give us some tips on where to go so we don't end up driving aimlessly around? Parks for the kids, nice places for a pub/gastro lunch? Which parts show cambridge at its best and worst?

In terms of housing, we have a healthy budget and two DC to consider so need to be in catchment for state secondary, although DC won't start for a few years.

Have only been once before but really liked it. We are going to look at some houses but would love to get a fuller 'feel' for the place.

When you say that you want to move to Cambridge, what are you looking for? Are you wanting to live in a small village, a large village, near the station in the 'trendy' Mill Road area, etc?

Would you mind telling us what your budget is, and what you want for it? I'd check out what areas you can afford on RightMove before going anywhere.

Having said all that, on the whole, the MumsNet consensus seems to be that Histon is the best bet for a family in terms of balancing village charm, local facilities, distance into Cambridge, schools, etc. You could go there and have lunch at the Red Lion - unpretentious but atmospheric. I'd be tempted to go by public transport from London rather than by car - I think you'd see a much greater range of the city if you take the bus, but depending on your DC's ages that might not feel practical.

The 'worst' of Cambridge is popularly supposed to be Arbury, in north Cambridge, but I wouldn't say anywhere is particularly bad.

What Grendelsmum said - even the Arbury Estate itself isn't too bad, and near to it are loads of people who work in the science park/ IT park.

I'm told pretty much all the schools are fine thanks to the percentage of scientist/geek/academics' offspring.

House prices are as bad as London. Do you need to be near the station, commuting into London, or just into Cambridge?

Thanks for your replies.

I work from home but my DH will need to commute to London. He works in Kings Cross so we feel the commute would be quite straightforward. He could cycle to station, but would like to keep it down to 15min cycle.

Budget probably around £800K.

I think we'll leave DC behind for the first few trips - so we can take in the adult lifestyle. I find it easy to research schools and I'm sure it'll be a question of which schools have vacancies when we move - but its so hard to know where we adults would enjoy living too.

I am dreaming of a big garden. Want a dog, a trampoline and a washing line.

Hmmm. 15 mins cycle from the station narrows it down quite a bit, and I doubt you'll get a big garden without luck.

DON'T take the car - or rather, take the car if you want to experience the real worst of Cambridge. The traffic is unbelievable, and parking grim. If you can, take the train and then cycle. If not, train and walk.

I think it needs to be one of the large houses off Hills Road / Brooklands Ave, or you could go for Newnham, which is a very nice area.

Are you up for a project? I don't think you could get a better location than this, opening out onto Granchester Meadows:

www.bidwells.co.uk/view_property.php?property_id=CAM090826&property_type=resident ial

Don't get too excited about the adult lifestyle in Cambridge, tbh, unless you have a passion for lectures by distinguished speakers and education events