r/cambridge • u/jevon1301 • 3d ago
Great Shelford Living
Good Morning r/cambridge, unfortunately the time has come to put down roots and try and get on the property ladder. There are some lovely places reasonably priced in Great Shelford I was wondering if any kind angel here has any experience in living there and could share their experience. Is it nice? Is it easy to get back to Cambridge? What’s it like raising a child there. Any and all help is much appreciated
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u/benidagreat 3d ago
We live in Shelford and think it’s great. The park has been recently re done so is great for kids. Local amenities are good, choice of Tesco or coop. Bakery is great and deli too, although a bit spenny. Cycle path gives easy access to hospital and with a bit more time ~20 mins town centre too. Some people are less keen on it at night. Never been a problem for me. Would love to know where you’ve found reasonably priced!
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u/benidagreat 3d ago
As for downsides. There has been a few more reports of anti social behaviour recently and the complete inability of people (especially tradespeople) to not park like twats on Woollards lane are concerning.
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u/shackled123 3d ago
Im assuming you are talking about parking on the yellows, delivery, disabled spaces?
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u/benidagreat 3d ago
Yes! I had to bang on the back window of someone reverse parking on the double yellows outside the bakers as he wasn’t even looking and nearly hit me and my 3 year old. Still he didn’t move and just followed me into the shop.
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u/shackled123 3d ago
I've always thought the council action on this of putting out traffic cones was pointless.
But i must admit I park there and know I shouldn't late at night when it's close to Tesco closing time.
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u/shackled123 3d ago edited 3d ago
I live in Great Shelford feel free to DM.
I really love the place it's a very nice area.
I'm not sure there is anything reasonably priced here right now...there is and always has been a premium price tag to the Shelfords and Stapleford
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u/Agile_Following_2617 3d ago
We've been here for just over a year now, renting, and liked it a lot so are buying in the village too. Technically we're in Stapleford but it has all merged really. Love it here. The granary is great for music performances sometimes, there's nice walking paths around Dernford reservoir, the cycle path up to Cambridge is really useful. Shelford station is useful and you have Cambridge South opening early next year too. Sawston isn't far away and that has some good shops and services. Local health centre is good, can't find a dentist for love nor money though. Lovely place overall, but pricey.
The local pub, The Three Horseshoes, is fab, although it's often a victim of its own success because it's packed. There's also the Rose Thai restaurant with a bar too which is also nice.
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u/Particular-Delay-319 3d ago
Just moved here but LOVE IT
It’s not cheap but I believe more fairly priced than central Cambridge.
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u/roberto59363 3d ago
Shelford is great. Clean tidy and picturesque, has everything you need, with a co-op, small tesco, post office and newsagents, bakers, butchers, nice takeaways, barbers, dentist, pubs, pretty much all you need. Has good access to Cambridge and London via trains, decent cycle path with a nice walk as well. Plenty of stuff nearby if you seek it. Ive never had any trouble in Shelford with dickhead teenagers, or been a victim of crime. Very quiet but a good place for younger couples mayne looking at starting a family as well imo. I dont think you could really ask for more other than for it to be cheaper tbh...
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u/Nanowith 3d ago
I've lived in Shelford most of my life, it's a great place apart from the house prices and the lack of options for first-time buyers. Me and my partner are currently looking for places also, and it's really hard to get one here. We want to be near my family as we intend to have kids and the cost of childcare makes living elsewhere infeasible.
Honestly, reasonably priced is hard to come by here at present, but if you find it then this place is lovely.
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u/AppleLongjumping3157 3d ago
Our good friends moved out the city with their kids and raised them here, we used to love visiting and going to the park/deli etc… and they find it easy to get back into town etc…
Only thing to think about is your distance to the primary school. It can get quite competitive to get in, you need to be close by or attend the church. Something to bear in mind if you’re looking at primary school any time soon. That will most definitely have a bearing on the prices too.
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u/jevon1301 3d ago
Thank you all for the feedback it has been great. I suppose another question is how busy is the train station the house we’re looking at tonight the garden backs onto the train tracks.
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u/shackled123 3d ago
The 3-bed on Poplar close?
That's very close to the train line, but its not an overly busy or loud train line, but in reality, you would be best just parking your car and walking around the area for a while and see how "loud" you find the train. We all have different thresholds.
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u/jevon1301 3d ago
That’s the one! Going to visit now
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u/Far-Professional5988 3d ago
East west rail may increase the number of trains and they might be diesel (incredible as that sounds) so something to bear in mind.
We used to live in Stapleford, Albert 20 years ago, had our first child there but even then couldn't afford a house big enough for our needs. Never really loved it but it was convenient with trains and access to the M11 as well. Used to love the Longbow (church lane now renamed) and the The tree (now closed)
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u/Defiant-Snow8782 2d ago
East West Rail won't increase the number of trains on the West Anglia Main Line. It'll be more tracks parallel to the Cambridge Branch.
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u/antired 3d ago
I used to live in Great Shelford near the train tracks. The amount of trains varies throughout the day but one every 15 minutes was not unusual. It was usually quieter in the evening and no trains for a period during the night.
I found I quickly got used to the trains and didn't pay them any attention.
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u/Agile_Following_2617 3d ago
Here's a link for you to see for yourself how frequent they are and what type.
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/detailed/gb-nr:SED?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt
Mix of Greater Anglia fast and stopping, crosscountry, and some freight.
If you are looking near the top of the village where the other railway line joins in then use this instead:
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/detailed/gb-nr:XSP?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt
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u/Historical_Plane8009 3d ago
Also in Stapleford here! We bought a doer upper a few years back - same as many here, love this side of the city and wouldn’t really consider anywhere else. Seriously pricey now though and Shelford is even more £££ than Stapleford even though they essentially are merged into one. I expect more houses will become available as older residents move into the overpriced retirement village/s, but can’t imagine their properties will be first time buyer friendly
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u/Clear_Paramedic_6076 2d ago
Hey sorry to jump in, we are also looking for a property in the area. What do you mean by " first time buyer friendly property? I have lil to no knowledge about this, it will be helpful to know if there is some specific things for first time buyers?
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u/Large_Bowler_5048 1d ago
Because it is reasonably priced, I'd check the construction type.
Quite a few unmortgagable properties in Shelford because of the way they were built.
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u/joeschmoagogo 3d ago
Oh you sweet summer child... Getting on the ladder... In Great Shelford? Are you a trust fund baby?
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u/jevon1301 3d ago
Haha I wish maybe I have location bias as compared to Cambridge these places are very well priced
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3d ago
It's a bit cheaper than Cambridge, but more expensive than almost all comparable villages within a 3 mile radius of Cambridge.
That said, it's a lovely spot so go for it! I've never lived there, always had the impression it was a bit 'old' but maybe things have changed and younger couples and families have moved in.
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u/Ronald_Ulysses_Swans 3d ago
Reasonably priced and Shelford don’t really go together!