Anyone from Ely?

[donkmeister]

We're planning to move to Cambs in the next year.

I quite like Ely and some of the nearby villages. I'd probably commute by train on my work days, to Letchworth in Herts. So not exactly a short trip but it's manageable. I might even get some work done on the train.

The attraction for me is that Ely is a picturesque old city that seems to have everything we need, whilst being compact and walkable. My kid is four, but will one day be a young woman and it's important to me that she can have a proper social life. So pubs and cafes, and a short train ride to Cambridge for a grotty night club.

Does anyone here live in the Ely area? What do you think of it? Are there any hidden problems that only become obvious when you live there? E.g. no capacity for GP appointments, general scuzziness after dark, perennial risk of flooding (appreciating it used to be an island!), that sort of thing.

[M138]

Ely is nice, river, good train station with links to all parts of the country. Soham I've never been a fan of tbh. The reason I mention Soham is because it's about 5 miles away from Ely. Chippenham where I am is a lovely village but is probably 10 miles from Ely, Isleham is not too bad. Newmarket is expensive but the town has turned into barbers/vape shops central.
I'm quite often driving to Knebworth, Baldock, Hatfield etc and once I get past Duxford on the 505 it don't take long.

[donkmeister]

Thanks! I'll have to book a couple of days in a hotel and spend some more time around there. I had wondered about the villages in between Cambridge and Ely; Waterbeach is blessed with a station but in the early stages of getting developed out of all proportion! But if the transport links are OK that will do well for Miss Donk when she's older.

I'm not an habitual train user but I'm just thinking with about an hour's commute I can offset it. Handy for Mrs D too who is in a similar boat.

[M138]

I'm not a huge fan of Waterbeach tbh, I was there Saturday but providing they're not asking Cambridge prices for property I suppose can't complain.

[johns355]

I’m living in this area, depends what you want i guess? Down by the river and central Ely will be a premium price on property. Little Downham is well regarded round here but only a pub and one shop, but again depends what your priorities are? Little thetford/Stretham are pretty quaint too. Feel free to ask away if i can help i will, john.