Moving to Suffolk - but where ?

trf1960

We are looking to move later this year to Suffolk from Essex and have been basing our search around the Ipswich to Bury St Edmunds area. We have been told to avoid areas like Lowestoft, Haverhill and Thetford amongst others. I also know there are areas where the US Airforce are based but that doesn't concern us. We want to buy a bungalow in a typical 'bungalow estate' and are quite happy for it to be in a village location although not majorly far from a town (at least within a 20 min drive away). We are both retirees so not interested in schools but want somewhere that is considered 'safe' as our intention is to spend most of the year in our place in Spain. Our budget is for property around the £250k mark.

For those that presently live (or have lived) in Suffolk, we would appreciate any information you can give us on areas that you would recommend/know of as well as advise to keep well away from?

lincroft1710

Brandon (just south of the Norfolk border) has hundreds of bungalows.

hazyjo

When my ex and I were looking, we were told Kesgrave was nice. There's some bungalows in your budget. Not sure what it's like now!


I should imagine the front of this could be improved easily. Actually, saying that, I've found it on streetview and it looks far more attractive in real life than in this pic!
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-60016365.html

Gardenguy

Hi there kesgrave is nice but there is traffic problem there only to get worse when they build at Martlesham. You maybe better away from ipswich Woodbridge area Framingham or nearer the coast Saxmundham area all good areas

EachPenny

trf1960 wrote: »

We are looking to move later this year to Suffolk from Essex and have been basing our search around the Ipswich to Bury St Edmunds area. We want to buy a bungalow in a typical 'bungalow estate' and are quite happy for it to be in a village location although not majorly far from a town (at least within a 20 min drive away). We are both retirees so not interested in schools but want somewhere that is considered 'safe' as our intention is to spend most of the year in our place in Spain. Our budget is for property around the £250k mark.

I'm not sure about budgets, but it sounds like any of the villages between Ipswich and Felixstowe might suit you. There is a mix of housing types and you are close to both Ipswich and the coast.

Going in the other direction I think the problem you might have is finding places with estates of bungalows, rather than the odd one or two. Top of my list would be Claydon/Barham with plenty of bungalow choice. Also Elmsett in the 'Newlands' and 'Windings Rd' area.

The problem is many estate type developments in the area were of houses rather than bungalows, so you would need to search quite hard to find other suitable locations. But there are other ones such as Thirlmere Drive in Stowmarket.

trf1960 wrote: »

We have been told to avoid areas like Lowestoft, Haverhill and Thetford amongst others. I also know there are areas where the US Airforce are based but that doesn't concern us.

Agreed about those places to avoid. Also the US (and UK) bases are nothing to worry about. They work very hard at being good neighbours.

Feel free to PM me if you have any specific areas in mind. I don't know the whole county, but am familiar with most of it.

RedfordML

I lived in Haverhill for 22 years. It was great. Thriving high street, plenty of pubs and some great ppl. Like any town certain areas you avoid, but some great places too. Areas around the golf club, great.

That was 15 years ago, I believe it’s very different now. High level of Polish have migrated into the town, pubs have closed at a high rate. I wouldn’t move back and I absolutely loved the town!

I’d look at Diss and surrounding south? Some lovely villages and towns. gl.

chickens11

Ive lived in Suffolk all my life and know it pretty well id say , yes Kesgrave is full of decent bungalows , shops etc only few mins away , I live near Aldeburgh well 7 mins away , Aldeburgh is far too expensive and full of second home owners .......Also as mentioned Saxmundham is only 6 miles from where I live , very nice little market town .......

Leiston also is nice small town and very close to the Sizewell beach ...You can also pm me if you need information on any particular area of Suffolk if you wish too...Good luck....

cajef

chickens11 wrote: »

Leiston also is nice small town and very close to the Sizewell beach

I used to work at Minsmere RSPB reserve, working next door to Sizewell nuclear power station rather put me off living near one, I was always worried about one day starting to glow in the dark.:D

chickens11

Yes im very close to minsmere , and its all beautiful countryside around it as you know , I suppose im biased because of living here all my life and being born here ........Yes very close to Sizewell power station , but a beautiful coast line ......

trf1960

Thanks to all that replied to this post (and which Hazyjo has kindly pointed out that I have today mistakenly posted an identical query).

Chickens11 and EachPenny thank you so much for offering further advice for when we do actively start looking. It will be gratefully received.

silvercar

trf1960 wrote: »

Thanks to all that replied to this post (and which Hazyjo has kindly pointed out that I have today mistakenly posted an identical query).

Chickens11 and EachPenny thank you so much for offering further advice for when we do actively start looking. It will be gratefully received.

Duplicate thread now removed.