Huntingdon and areas? Where to move to?

Curlywurli

My husband's job is probably moving to Huntingdon within the next year. We're just waiting for the go ahead from his work. We can both drive so we can live a little way away. We currently live in a very large town in Essex and are looking for something a little more relaxed. Our budget will be £220 for a three bed.

I've been looking at St. Ives, Warboys, Somersham, St. Neots, Papworth Everard etc. I also looked at Chatteris and March where houses seem to be more value for money but it seems that the schools aren't quite as good (I hope I don't offend anyone).

We're going to have a look around in a couple of weeks and we'll also be looking at some new builds as we're fed up of houses that we buy and do up and would love to just move straight in. We will have our kids with us this time so need to make the most of our time and just wondered if there are places that we shouldn't even bother to look at. Thanks for any info

Curlywurli

Can anyone help at all? Thanks

wombles123

I live around Ely, and although I don't commute to Huntington in rush hour, it is 30 minutes from Ely at other times, using the back roads (not A10/A14). I would recommend Ely as value for money, with a city centre.

If you want to be a bit more remote, Earith, Bluntisham, Haddenham and Sutton all look nice as I drive through them to Huntington. And they are on the main A1123 to Huntingdon.

Personally I would avoid Chatteris. It doesn't have the best reputation, which is probably why the prices are lower.

PasturesNew

Curlywurli wrote: »

I've been looking at St. Ives, Warboys, Somersham, St. Neots, Papworth Everard etc. I also looked at Chatteris and March where houses seem to be more value for money but it seems that the schools aren't quite as good (I hope I don't offend anyone).

I'd avoid Warboys .... as for Chatteris/March, stay out of the Fens completely ....

Have you looked at Yaxley? A friend of mine lived there and he was of the wealthy sort and his house was about your budget when he sold it a couple of years back (and it was a bit tasty).

*mudangel*

Hi there, I'm about 10 miles from Huntingdon, so hope I can help.

'Fraid I'm with you on Chatteris. I would avoid, if possible. St. Ives is pretty decent, though I'm not sure about St. Ivo school, so hopefully someone else might be able to shed some light on whether it's a good place.

Swavesey, Over, Longstanton etc. could be good - catchment area for Swavesey Village College, which is a well thought of secondary school. Fair bit of building going on in Longstanton, so may be worth checking out.

Not sure about Somersham etc., but have friends over there, so will happily ask their opinions if you like.

You could think about Cambourne. I've heard mixed views on that area - all very new and LOTS of building happening. Depends what you're into really. A new secondary school is being built next year, but have heard primary schools are pretty good. If you don't like new towns, avoid!

Ely is a nice place. Definitely worth a look.

Good luck and happy house-hunting!

sairy2005

I have lived in and around Cambridge and Ely all my life until moving to North Norfolk 2 years ago.
I would go for Ely or any of the villages between that and Huntingdon. i.e Little Thetford, Stretham, Haddenham, Wilburton or St Ives. The prices vary tremendously as anything near Cambridge is very expensive.
We lived in Little Thetford for a while and it is a very nice little village but very quiet. Not much comes onto the market there.
Avoid Chatteris and March if possible or any of the Fenland villages. Some are very nice but some are a bit rough. You do get a lot for your money there though.
If you can afford it I would go for Ely. Lovely little town.

Curlywurli

Thanks I'll have a look at Ely. I hadn't even considered looking there to be honest but sounds interesting. I'll have a look at some of the other areas as well.
My husband's pretty much letting me get on with it so I'll just give him a list and we'll go where I say.

Pastures New, can I ask why you'd avoid Warboys please? It was on one of my must sees but if it would be better not to go there then we'll avoid it.

sunshine2223

I don't know the area particularly well but my Dad moved to Ramsey Forty Foot a couple of years ago and he hasn't any complaints, it seems nice and pretty quiet from what I can tell. Also I think Ramsey is lovely, very pretty village.

I can echo what has been said about Chatteris, it's got a reputation locally for being a bit of a dive.

bentalls

How about Brampton? Possibly at the pricier end of your budget, but a lovely village - good road links, 2 miles from Huntingdon, and in the catchment area of Hinchingbrooke school, which is, I believe, quite a good one. Completely echo the comments about Chatteris - more bang for your buck, but it has a terrible reputation locally... I'm not sure about Warboys, though, I have a friend who lives there, and she has never had any issues.

PasturesNew

Curlywurli wrote: »

Pastures New, can I ask why you'd avoid Warboys please? It was on one of my must sees but if it would be better not to go there then we'll avoid it.

Only because it used to be a bit of a rough hole in the middle of nowhere, although that was some years ago, but areas don't often improve.

Okydoky25

I've recently moved this way from Hertfordshire and I would agree avoid Chatteris..March not as bad but still nicer places. Agree Ely is good. Now every local round here will tell you to avoid Wisbech but to be honest I've found it to be a really nice town in some parts and has helped with the shock of moving so rural. Leverington Just outside Wisbech is perticulally nice and v good value for Money.