Moving to Suffolk?

[RogerAllamsFangirl]

Hi

For various reasons, we are likely to relocate to Suffolk. We, in this case, means me, DH and 2 x DC (8&6).

I have always loved Southwold, Walberswick etc and we are looking at those areas. I feel a strong affinity to the sea and would like to take this opportunity to be near it. However, my v practical DH wonders if those are maybe a bit remote and would be a bit of a shock after London. I think Saint Felix school looks lovely - does anyone have any experience?

DH wonders if we'd be better off towards Norwich - easy access to London is a consideration. I imagine one of us would need to be there every couple of weeks. What are the independent schools like nearer to Norwich? We are looking for something that is not too pushy and hot-housey (part of the reason for moving out of London).

Any suggestions or advice based on the above would be most welcome.

That part of the world is lovely.

My aunt used to teach at St Felix, and I got the impression it was a good (but definitely not 'hothouse') school - maybe a bit reliant on overseas students to make ends meet (but that was a decade+ ago).

You can get to London in just over two hours from Darsham changing once at Ipswich (so essentially the same as from Norwich) - so while remote it's no more difficult than Norwich (and arguably easier to drive to up the A12 than Norwich is).

Southwold and Walberswick are very expensive. Try looking a bit further inland, Bury St Edmunds is nice!

Thanks that's interesting and a good point about trains. Yes, Southwold and Walberswick are expensive and tbh I find them a bit overrun with tourists (like me!) in the summer so I wouldn't want to live right in them. I do like the idea of being near the coast though. Also, moving from London means that frankly everywhere looks a bargain!

We lived in Suffolk for a few years and whilst I agree it is lovely, it can be quite insular, I think you might find it a huge culture shock after London.

A round trip to the cinema involved a 50 mile journey. It can also be very 'non inclusive'. We did enjoy living there but you need to be the sort of person to really throw yourself into community life and enjoy 'simple living'.

I think it all depends where you live in Suffolk. Ipswich has cinemas, restaurants and even a theatre.

Aldeburgh is nice and so is Woodbridge. Reydon is just outside Southwold and is quieter but walking distance to the beach. Avoid Lowestoft.

I am thinking of retiring to Suffolk. Not really interested in night life, have seen a house in Combs Ford, Stowmarket, is this a nice place to live? Having a railway station I assume it is quite easy to get to bigger towns for shopping trips etc when necessary. Would appreciate any comments as I don't know the area at all but really like the house I have seen online.

Stowmarket is nice, a few years since I’ve been there but a nice town with a good community feel.

Beccles is nice. It is closer to Norwich for culture/shopping, has a train line and is drivable to Southwold/St Felix but is cheaper and not full of second homes. The area around Grange Road/Upper Grange Road is nice and has some lovely big old houses that you would be easily able to afford for the cost of a flat in London.