Ipswich, help!!

[dazzahill]

Hi guys!

Just been offered a really nice job in Ipswich, means moving 150 odd miles and i cant make up my mind! Taking the job aspect out of the equation, whats Ipswich like? I'm a brummie by trade but live just out of the city, im used to a nice quiet life with a big city 15 minutes away. I'm only 21 but nows the time to move as i have no long term commitments here, i do like living in Brum though!

So, whats Ipswich like? Hows life in general, traffic, shopping, etc? How about night life?

Any thoughts and comments would be much appreciated!

[krish]

typical big town, bigger than many small cities ... certainly more chavvy than most (mainly full of locals and school drop outs) and not exactly picturesque ... but on the other hand good shopping, theatre etc

[dazzahill]

That sounds reasonable! To be honest i live out in the stix so don't have to deal with hoodies and learning 100 different languages to speak to the locals!

Ipswich seems very industrial, just hope there is some life there other than working mens clubs and crap pubs!

[Munckles]

I live in the sticks and I would never go back to a built up area....but maybe that's because of my age, I'm a bit older than you! Enjoy yourself, whatever you decide to do!

[Intya]

Having lived here most of my life, as long as you're getting paid decent money by then all means come down :P I don't go out much in the evenings so can't comment too much on the nightlife, but the few times I have been out I've enjoyed myself. Stick to the town centre pubs, IMO Cardinal Park with the clubs, bars & cinema is a bit of a no-go area after dark. There's not a huge amount of shops compared to the likes of Norwich/Colchester but most bases are covered.

Traffic in and out of town during the rush hour isn't that bad, but depending on how far out of town you and what road you use to get in it can take a good half hour or so. Most cases it's quicker to walk in. Trains in and out of London are fairly frequent if you need that big city fix, only downside is the last trains back leave Liverpool Street around 23:00 so you never get a good night there without needing a B&B.

Is the job supplying your accomodation? Stick to South West areas like the Pinewood estate, or further out east around Kesgrave. Nice, fairly recently built places and mostly families out there, never too much trouble with chavs in those places I've found. I used to work for a lettings firm in town, they'll set you up fine if you're finding your own digs

[dolph]

I live near Ipswich. Certainly not the worst town - lots of new development going on around the "marina" area. Some nice restuarants, decent Cinema etc etc

Decent shopping centre, a mix of "old man" pubs along with the newer chains. Short distance to Constable country and the suffolk coast. Easy links to London.

As mentioned above - demographic much like any big town.

[ohoward]

I live in Ipswich, work in the town centre and live just on the edge of the town centre (10-15 mins walk).

As mentioned there is ALOT of development in the town at the moment, all part of the councils aspirations to get city status. There is also a University due to open in a couple of years. Most of the development is centred on the marina, but there are new builds/renovations springing up all over.

Shopping wise you have all your bases covered, with good links to other towns for anything else.

If you like a quiet life theres no reason you shouldn't enjoy Ipswich, assuming you pick your accomodation wisely.

If you don't mind me asking, what is the job you have been offered? I might be able to give you some info on the company location or whatever. Also what is your accomodation situation as well?

All in all though, if you have been offered a good job, Ipswich is a good place to live.

[SeanT]

I know it may seem irrelevant, but knowing the areas I think it is a tad - moving from a medium sized town near Peterborough to Coventry, a city near Brum, wasn't much of a culture shock - what appears to be pretty much the opposite move should be fine, other than the large town part of it. You are nicely near the coast there, but not too near, and everyone I've spoken to from suffolk seems to like it.

[dazzahill]

Hi guys

Thanks for the advice, was in Ipswich yesterday so had a look around a few areas. Any places i should try and avoid in particular?

I don't want to say too much about the job as i've not let me current firm know. The job is based in Felixstowe so just down the A14, made the drive in traffic yesterday and wasn't too bad. I'm used to driving an hour into work each day so half hour is a dream!

[dazzahill]

Forgot to mention im a home owner so would be looking to sell up and buy somewhere in Ipswich, company are paying moving fees and sorting accomodation until im sorted.

[mjn]

Don't forget its compulsary to buy a tractor.

[Intya]

The only downside to driving to Felixstowe is when we've had weather such as recently, high winds closes the port, and the lorries back up for miles

All personal opinion, but avoid south of the town like Old Stoke, the middle areas of Nacton Road & Gainsborough, and the north west areas like Whitton. Other then that you're pretty good to go anywhere.