Help needed- moving to Ipswich

[jessphysio]

Hi all, looking for a bit of advice, thinking of moving to Ipswich, I work part time in west London (have to drive) and DH works in Norwich at the moment. Have a 2 year old also. Where would be the best location to move to? We would rent initially then look to buy. What areas are good? Would want to be reasonably near to nurseries/ primary schools and accessible for my commute. What areas to avoid?
Help greatly appreciated!!

There are a few questionable bits. The bit near Portman Road is pretty iffy, across to Chevalier street. The bit around Christchurch park is lovely, but getting out to the A14 for Norwich/London would be a hassle - or will your husband commute by train too (much quicker if he can?). How often do you have to go down to London? Ravenswood isn't too bad, but it's pretty bland new build zone.

Do you want in Ipswich, or would a village outside suit?

The schools are quite variable. Avoid westbourne academy and I think holywells for secondary. Not sure about primarys I'm afraid.

I live in Christchurch park area and it's lovely - takes 70 minutes into central Norwich and 15 minute walk to station. Or you could go rural to the north of Ipswich - commutable to London and has great access to A14. I'd recommend renting first as you plan to - we did and it really helped us to get a feel for the area.

I’m really open to ideas of areas, DH would either drive or train it, most likely train as would be much quicker regardless what area of Ipswich we lived in. I guess it’s more important from my side as I would have the longer commute, but it would be for 3 days so at least not full time. Is west Ipswich a good area, had heard mixed reviews?

The part between the a1214 and Norwich road and the railway line is nice, and then its nice east of the there too but the further east you go the more annoying your commute will be. The bits outside the railway line are more patchy, and the whole area bounded by handford road, Yarmouth road/Chevalier street, Portman Road and Norwich road is questionable at best. Norwich road itself is okay as you get further out and there are some pretty okay streets round there between Bradford road and the Norwich road, but that area varies street to street really.

The chantry estate is pretty mixed. I think I would want to have visited before I rented? Can you come up and stay in a b and b one weekend?

It's so hard without knowing what you're aiming for. There are some nice bits round St Joseph's college, but it's very patchy.

Bramford road*

Ipswich is awful! The centre is very run down. Can you live anywhere else, Woodbridge?

I would move to Norwich and look for another job. Ipswich is dire.

Rural Suffolk is lovely though

Needham market? Just north of Ipswich and they have a railway station.

East Ipswich is much better for schools. I wouldn’t go to West Ipswich. Norwich is probably nicer but a further comm

Northgate is the best secondary in Ipswich so aim for somewhere in that catchment.

Wouldn't it take 4+ hours to drive from Ipswich to West London ?

North and East are the better parts of Ipswich. Unless you go much further out of course. Driving to West London sounds annoying. Agree with pp and suggest moving to Norwich and getting a new job!

I live just East of the town centre. Less than 10 mins walk from Christchurch Park. My son goes to a very good Primary school and there are two other 'outstanding' primary schools near by. I really enjoy living here & know lots of people who have settled in Ipswich from all over the country who feel the same.

I used to work in Estate Agency and I would say that the East/ North East tended to be most desirable, alot to do with school catchments. If you were thinking West Ipswich, perhaps consider looking at the Crofts area (kind of North West really) I have several friends who live over there and it is a nice area.

Good luck

The commute is awful and the trains are unreliable. Just. Don’t.

It’s a proper dump, don’t do it (I work there). I don’t go out into the town at lunchtime anymore as I don’t feel safe.

Wow a lot to think about guys thank you! I can’t change jobs as my job is in a very established clinic, if anything would be DH who is looking for another job. Is Colchester a better option? Ipswich on average would take me 2 hours or under to my work to drive. But I’m guessing to avoid now south Ipswich and stick to north region? Perhaps Colchester or inbetween the 2?

You don't say where you are now but I assume London? Ipswich as a compromise middle point point between the two will be a bit of logistical nightmare with kids, school drop offs etc etc. You will both have 60+min commutes so assuming you have to be in West London by 9am you'd need to be on a 7.08 train or thereabouts.
It's doable but you will need a marriage where both of you properly pull their weight and/or local support. You'll both also be on the same train line so both impacted when there are problems.

Within a mile of the station would be my recommendation for both schools and commuting.
I'm a recent blow in from London so I don't know the area very well but I wouldn't describe Ipswich as dire. It has sensible house prices, a wide range of price points, excellent independent schools and good state sector if you focus on catchment. Unlike London you won't need to sell a kidney for a house in a nice part of town particularly if you have equity from London.
Boutique shopping is nonexistent really but to be honest I buy everything online anyway or in London around work.
Traffic is a bit shit, no one seems to walk anywhere unlike London and lots of people live in outlying villages and then drive in making school run times dreadful. We just bought somewhere where we could walk into town, kids could walk to school and if you are getting a train before 8am the traffic is non-existent.
People who drive to Cambridge for work or up/down the A12 do say it's a proper grind so I would assume that easy access to the station is a must.

I wouldn't contemplate driving to London even for 3 days a week for a second.

Have you looked at Shenfield? Cross rail and on the right rail line for Norwich

To cut a long story short lol, lived in London, then moved out near to Norwich for DH, where my work is would mean if I took the train would then have to tube it out so it’s a no way. Driving, and already doing it but the drive is just too long so looking for more of a compromise living situation. Totally agree don’t want to pay london prices anymore, but also don’t want to commute what I’m doing currently. Thought Ipswich sounded fairly compromisable but as you all are saying it’s getting the areas right! I work/ commute outside of rush hour specifically to avoid the traffic. Gosh what a big decision to make! What areas if any are nice around a mile from the station?! Also north Ipswich near christchurch, is anywhere that way prettt much ok?
Thanks everyone really appreciate all of your advice

Goodness, some very harsh posts on Ipswich!
OP, relevant to you, I have:
lived in Ipswich, worked in Norwich
lived in Ipswich, worked in west London
lived in Colchester, worked in west London

For you, you'd be best living in Colchester for the commute. The train from Colchester to Norwich for your husband would be easy as he'd be travelling the opposite direction to commuter rush hour.

Two hours drive from Ipswich to West London? In your dreams, unless you are travelling in the early hours. The A12 and M25 North are horrendous and I have been stuck in some humungous traffic jams . Both roads back up quickly. Seriously. My record is 7 hours from South Colchester to M3 exit!!!
Colchester might be better but DH could have fun on the Norwich drive. A12/A14 junction can back up in either direction. A140 is speed check central. If he can train it that might be better but check the season ticket costs.
There is a lot of new development in Colchester but primary school places can be difficult in the town centre but the villages are easier.
Beteen Colchester and Ipswich is not so easy- only Manningtree has a decent train service but its not the easiest place for road access. Marks Tey and Kelvedon ( South of Colchester) have OK train services and easier access to A12 but there is a large garden village development being planned (argued about) in the "West Tey" area.
Sudbury might be worth thinking about (A134,a11 to Norwich) or even Bury St Edmonds. Sudbury doesn't have the best train service.
My biggest concern would be trying to ensure that someone is back in time for DC.

I live in SE London and it takes us 2.5 to 3 hours to drive to Ipswich in non rush hour traffic. I just don't see how you could do it in 2 op?

Really don't think living in Ipswich would be a sensible option, your commute would be very stressful, traffic completely unpredictable.
Would it not be possible for you to find work in Norwich and live there?

hi Jessphysio, just been reading your post - what did you end up doing? My partner and I are thinking about moving to Ipswich (maybe) and commuting into London by train. What has it been like for you and for anyone else doing the same? thanks :)