Saffron Walden

[Bumble2020]

Hi, we’re seriously thinking about a move to Saffron Walden, or nearly surrounding areas, any tips, suggestions? Is it as nice a place as it seems? Is the journey to the station tough by bus? Are there areas to avoid? All suggestions very welcome x

Hi Bumble2020 have you got any further with your research into Saffron Walden? I’ve posted a similar thread today, visited it in the last week and really like x

It depends what you’re looking for. The train station is outside of town so you’d either need to bus or drive it.

There’s not loads here for teenagers but the schools are good. It’s becoming a busy town and there’s a lot of houses. GP services are stretched. My son is in a primary class with 36 kids. High school is good. The high street is a bit mixed. Lots of hairdressers and charity shops and cafes. A lot of people are moving here. It’s a nice enough place though. A lot of people love it here.

I've heard very good things about Saffron Walden.

Is there much for young kids there? Any soft play or anything like that? It seemed lovely and had a good amount of shops from what I could see x

The local soft play shut. The nearest one then was Linton but that has also shut. There’s one at Haverhill leisure centre but it’s about a 25 minute drive. There tends to be quite a few toddler groups when they are up and running. Tiny tempos is popular. If you’re on Facebook there’s a page called ‘Saffron Walden Yummy Mummies’ and there’s also Saffron Walden residents which has some stuff on. Main complaints are potholes 😂 and the massive amount of developments occurring.

I was there recently, never been before. It struck me as a bit too nice, all pristine and perfect. It reminded me of Midsomer Murders, I began to fear a killer bell ringer or something. Personally I prefer a bit more diversity and untidiness. The people were lovely though.

@Crocidura it does lack diversity sadly. It’s a nice enough place but ideally once my kids are better older I’d like to move. We’ve got a child with Sen and have family living locally and eldest child is in high school so reluctant to move but it wouldn’t be my first choice but other people rave about it. A lot of people have moved from London so suspect they like they like the naice-ness of the place. Sadly it’s a bit dry for my taste.

Hi Buffyfan26! Since posting this we’ve sold our flat and currently staying with family 30 or so minutes away from Saffron Walden while we try and find somewhere. We’ve looked at quite a few houses both in the town and surrounding villages and trying to work out what would be best for us - still undecided! We really like it as an area though, just waiting for the right place to come up, fingers crossed.

Levirandal - thanks so much for your comments - would you kind me asking what school your son is at?

Thanks x

Yes @Levirandal I thought it was beautiful but just a bit too nice for me. I found myself longing to see a bit of graffiti or something.

Lovely name.

But my criteria for living somewhere, are minorities accepted?

I have a bi-racial son, adult now, very sociable, works, no threat to no-one....

He's been racially profiled though....

My son attends Katherine Semar. Most of the schools are good though. High school is very sought after and depending on the birth year you’re better off in town if you want a space. That said Joyce Franklin has gotten better and has good pastoral support.

It’s a very white middle class community I’d say. I wouldn’t say minorities aren’t accepted, but there’s just not much diversity.

Supermarkets they’ve got a waitrose, Tesco and an Aldi. Rumours of a Lidl possibly coming as well.

@Levirandal thank you, I will try to join that FB group!

Definitely worth joining both groups. One is women only and the other is a mix so you can get a feel for the place.

@Levirandal sorry to bother you again (and hijack this thread!!!!) but could you advise on the nicest areas of Saffron and any areas to avoid whilst house hunting? Have been a few times and looks like a lovely place but obv I don’t have local knowledge!

Gosh I lived here years ago. (we are talking 1989 so oh my goodness 30 years ago). It sounds like the place is still as lovely as I remember. I think nearby Newport had a great secondary school and a station.