Cambridgeshire area advice.

[langy]

I live in Cottenham and the commute to Newton would be OK providing you were heading south on the M11 by just gone 7:30. The short stretch of A14 between Histon and M11 is often closed due to accidents or people deciding (too late) which way they should go. You could get on the A14 via Longstanton and head south and join the top of the M11 which avoids that stretch.

There are some cracking properties in Cottenham, but agree that you don't see many 'For Sale' signs. The more popular estate agents which seem to cover the village are: Tylers, TuckerGardner, Pocock & Shaw although I'm sure there are many more.

If you need any more info, let me know.

[moomin]

However, I too have heard bad things about Cambourne (from someone who lives there and wishes that they didn't), a pity as it does actually look quite nice.

I don't want to keep harping on, and I am definitely no where near the front of the queue for evangelising about the place, but it's one of those things where you will always hear about the bad stuff more than the good stuff.

For me it is convenient and was more affordable than other local villages or Cambridge city.

I suspect you've heard enough grapevine "bad things" to put you off the place however!

moomin

[chazpowerslide]

Hi Moomin, I was not having a poke at anybody living in the places I mentioned in my last post and I certainly had not hinted that anybody who lived in those areas was scum  

From a personal point of view having run public transport around those areas I among many other bus drivers that operate services in those areas know where you are likely to get trouble (but then all bus drivers are scum and go looking for it) or see it happening on a regular basis.

You also know in which areas you have to be particularly carefull if you don't want to be punched in the face or have bricks thrown at the vehicle you are driving because you looked at somebody the wrong way.

I also have friends an colleagues who live in those areas and are happy to do so, you get used to what you get used to.

I said that I'd personally avoid those areas due to what I have seen/experienced there.

There was a murder in Milton a few years ago outside the Waggon And Horses pub which is less than 200yds from my front door but I'd still recommend buying a house here, so what do I know?

Chaz.

[samcooke]

Cottenham is also an excellent place to live if you fancy having your driveway tarmac'd or need any lucky heather.

With £250k and a need for 4 beds and a double garage you will be looking at Sawston, Bar Hill, Cambourne or somewhere 10 miles or further away from Cambridge. The further you get from the city, the cheaper things get.

House prices also tend to follow school performance, so houses in the catchment for the best schools in south Cambs (Linton and Comberton) will be too dear.

Within half an hour you find lots of good value modern houses at and around Royston, Haverhill, Huntingdon and Newmarket.

TBH with a 30 minute radius there are just so many options it’s tricky to know where to start!

Like every area, there's a snobbish heirarchy round here. City folk such as Rory McGrath look down on Chaz, Chaz looks down on Langy and his travelling chums, Langy looks down on Moomin and Moomin stares longingly from his mud hut at the civilised world above. The only thing you can definitely say about the area is that the poshest and most lovely part by far is the select southern city suburb of Trumpington, which is home to numerous nobles, titled gentlemen and knights of the realm and has its very own branch of Waitrose.

[housebeautician]

Like every area, there's a snobbish heirarchy round here. City folk such as Rory McGrath look down on Chaz, Chaz looks down on Langy and his travelling chums, Langy looks down on Moomin and Moomin stares longingly from his mud hut at the civilised world above. The only thing you can definitely say about the area is that the poshest and most lovely part by far is the select southern city suburb of Trumpington, which is home to numerous nobles, titled gentlemen and knights of the realm and has its very own branch of Waitrose.

 

[Mark Stanton]

and be very careful of the housing developments in Stukeley Meadows, Huntingdon (David Wilson Homes) ............... I designed and detailed most of the foundations            

[SparkyB]

Papworth seemed ok, very little there other than the 'local' shop, I used to work at the industrial park to the southern end so didn't see a huge amount of it...

I lived in the Godmanchester area of Huntingdon which is very nice, good access to the A14 and A1 and quite easy to drop down to the A428.  It's also a very short walk to Huntingdon high street.

Sadly I can't be a lot of help on prices as I now live in Scotland!

[Martin Keene]

and be very careful of the housing developments in Stukeley Meadows, Huntingdon (David Wilson Homes) ............... I designed and detailed most of the foundations            

Noted...

[Blatman]

QUOTE

its very own branch of Waitrose.

I like Waitrose. Keeps all the riff raff out of Marks and Spencers

[Westy1700]

don't rule out the southern villages towards and including Royston....we've been in the area for years now...about 15 miles into Cambs and aside from the last few miles its easy if you pick your times and will improved masively when they open the hospital link road for addenbrookes...

easy for Huntingdon and the north, i commuted to hunts for a year and only took 25 mins so access to any of that A14 corridor is a breeze, u are also nice and easy for the A1, A10 or the M11 to go any direction you want...Royston itself maybe be on budget in the right areas, villages always more pricey and as someone noted the schools and stations access have a bearing on price..

Rent somewhere and try it out - theres so many options but u will be happy here wherever you choose.

[samcooke]

QUOTE

I am working at a place called SG Controls which is a small outfit operating out of Newton hall to the west of Newton village down church street. Anyone know them? Theres a great old pub in Newton called the Queens head but not much else.

I went there yesterday and there's something pretty interesting right next door to the hall - a massive barn full of dozens of cars. Lots of interesting stuff from a Citroen SM to a flat nose 911, Ferraris, race cars, old 30s things - all sorts. Well worth making friends with the barn's owner so you can have a snoop round at lunchtimes.

[Keith Scarfe]

Hi Sam.

Yes thats right, I have had a bit of a nose round and there are some great cars in there. Mainly old vintage stuff but some modern as well Ferraris etc, some race cars. One chap has an old 60's lotus like mine too. I am trying to get know the chaps who run it. There is also a garage and I have used them to service my road car. All very useful. Also there is another barn with even more in like F1 cars. I havent seen in there yet. They store them for customers and do the start up check thing every once in a while. They also take them out occasionally for a blast round. That causes work to stop. What were you doing there then? I was away all last week so would have missed you anyway.

Cheers then.

Keith.

[samcooke]

Interesing. I'll have to try and get a nose at the other barn.

I was looking at a car to buy, will probably pick it up tomorrow all being well.

[Keith Scarfe]

Hi all again.

Just to revive my old post and to say I have now moved to the area. Found a lovely place on Red Lodge. Seems great here so far. Been here about a month now so still getting used to it. Got my nice double garage, tandem, rather than double width but that is ok. The Westfield now has its place in there, along with loads of yet to be unpacked moving in boxes and garden stuff. I now need a shed to get rid of a lot of the garden crap so I can get to work on rebuilding the car. Maybe one day soon it will make it back out again.

Hope to get along to a meeting one day and meet some of you guys.

Cheers.

Keith.

[JohnL]

Welcome to West Suffolk. There ain't many of us to the yard around here.