Orton Chip Shop

[Kevin]

Impossibleto mention a list without mentioning Dads Lane, this fish bar and restaurant has people flocking from across the city. Enjoy the perfect dinner in comfortable surroundings, it even has upstairs seating too, perfect for big groups.

A chip shop institution since 1946, Bedders has historically been one of the most popular chippies in Brum for some time. Owner Ian Simmonds loved the place so much that he did more than chip in, he bought the place.

Established in 1967, George & Helens is still greeting people through the doors, and it is still in the family. Nowadays it is run by grandson Tony, and many famous faces have raved about this Harborne chippy, including actor Roger Tongue from Crossroads and comedian Bernie Winters.

Nelsons is a story of two brothers whose history in the fish and chip trade goes all the way back to their grandad. With the Hockley Heath venue being the first business for themselves, Nelsons is a quality fish bar with three generations worth of knowledge and passion inside.

Hi Everyone,

I'm looking for some inside info about life in The Big P :)

We (me, husband, 2 kids) are moving back to the UK after 4 years away and are looking for a place to settle.

Peterborough seems to tick a few boxes in terms of location, commutability, etc but it's really hard to work out if it's a nice place to live or not.

On the Google maps I can can see it has loads of parks, some theatres, a cool looking outdoor lido/pool, decent shopping, lots of schools and some nice looking areas. But then I keep finding blogs with loads of people slagging the place off. they talk about the city being dangerous and full of dodgy people, they say it's chavvy and there's nothing to do.

Can anyone who lives there let me know what they think, especially in terms of moving in with young kids?

I know the general wisdom is the surrounding villages are nicer but that doesn't necessarily mean the the city is awful? or does it?

Thanks

Nxx

I think Peterborough is what you make it.

It's not always the most broad-minded place, few graduate employers now, the council seems bizarrely anti-cyclist and there is some pretty anti-social behaviour BUT yes to:

Parks, including Ferry Meadows on the outskirts.

The river is central-ish so good for walks.

Lido is lovely in the summer.

Key Theatre and The Cresset further out.

Festivals such as the historical festival in the summer, which is brilliant.

The Green Backyard which is a community space near the river.

Schools are a bit hit and miss and there are druggies (but aren't there everywhere?).

I'd take it over one of the villages. I grew up in the countryside which was wonderful but here we have lots within walking/cycling distance.

Obviously you should avoid some areas but Woodston has a great community.

Our DS is 3. We find lots to do with him. His nursery school is good and the feeder infant school is excellent. And there are lots of trains to watch round our way.

Look at the house prices too

Thanks Dashper.

I certainly agree that it's basically impossible to find a ton of any reasonable size that has no anti-social behavior or druggies.

That's just the way things are these days.

I'll take a closer look at Woodston as you suggest, but which are the areas to avoid?

Nxx

I live in Woodston, just off of Oundle Road, but my area is a little scabby - it's not always the most pleasant area to be. Agree Parnwell is to be avoided, along with Welland and most of the Ortons. Loads of people think Bretton is amazing, no idea why!

As for the city centre itself, I don't mind it. I'm not originally from Peterborough, but if you live in enough cities, they all start to look the same so I can't find anything really offputting about the place. I've been here nearly 5 years now, and do consider it home.

There have been a couple of gang related stabbings in the city centre recently, but other than that, I wouldn't say that the crime rate is any higher than any other city. Same goes for the drug problem - I know someone who works for the local addiction support agency, and she says most of the drug addicts and alcoholics she comes across are pretty much harmless, but a lot ARE homeless or in temporary accommodation, so you see a lot of them about.

The Ortons are not as bad as you may hear. They are all close to Ferry Meadows country park. Good bus service every 10 minutes into the city centre and close to the A1.

Orton Waterville and Orton Longueville are older villages, now part of the city. They are very nice. The other Ortons are townships built since the 1980s - pretty soulless, could be anywhere. Of these, Orton Wistow is the nicest, most of Orton Brimbles is ok.

Orton Southgate residential area is still being built, nice houses, few facilities, very close to the show ground. The rest of Orton Southgate is an industrial estate, prone to illegal car drifting. Much of Orton Goldhay and Orton Malbourne are less than lovely.

I like Peterborough and don't think its as bad as people make out. I agree with what's been said so far. Its a very small city, so not lots to do, not much decent nightlife, but I have found plenty of stuff on for kids and myself too, when I've looked for it.

I also live in woodston and love the community feel here, most of fletton is OK and stanground nice too.

I like Peterborough and get cross when it is slated. We live in a lovely part of the Ortons and it really is like a village. I prefer south of the city; Orton, Fletton and Woodston. It is a great place to bring up a family, lots to do including Ferry Meadows, cinemas, swimming pools, trampolining etc.... and easy to get to London for days out.

I live in Orton Longuevile which is lovely. Our local primary school is great. We have Orton Mere and Ferry Meadows on our doorstep which we use a lot. It's growing quickly which means new facilities opening up all the time. Transport links to London are fast and reliable but very expensive (i commute). It's very diverse in its population. There are run down areas as in any city this size. Sure it's true for other places too but there's plenty of low paid temp style jobs but not a large number of well paid secure jobs. Also lots of chain restaurants and cafes but not many independent ones.

I live near Peterborough and have been in the area all my life so know it pretty well.

What you have to remember is that all cities have their good and bad areas, so yes P does have antisocial issues like any city, but generally I think it's a good place to have as your base. Its close to lots of other places, the shopping and eating out is great, theres lots of things for families here.

would you be renting or buying when you come?

The areas to avoid would generally be the eastfield, lincoln road new england areas. North Bretton is a total dive but south bretton is okay :)

Other areas to avoud are parnwell, ravensthorpe, welland,. Some of the ortons are okay, Orton Longueville, waterville and wistow are okay. Avoid Goldhay at all costs!

Gunthorpe, netherton are okay. The villages are all decent such as newborough, castor, wansford, wittering. Werrington is a good place. Hampton is popular with families. Lots of choice and generally lots of good housing for a decent price

I agree with the places to avoid and the good places to live. Wittering is quiet and with low crime but a bit difficult to get anywhere, one bus an hour which finishes at 6pm. There is the A47 on one side and the A1 on the other. Frequent accidents on the A1 which can affect travel to stamford or Peterborough.There is a hairdressers, barber, chinese take away, fish and chip shop, car garage, Spar shop, coffee shop and a WI. The school has 300 ish pupils, 70% military, good ofsted rating. Kids can play out quite happily.

If I was choosing, I think I would go for Market Deeping, Stamford, Bourne, Morton, Wansford, Orton Waterville or Longueville.

Peterborough is what you make it. I've lived here my entire life and currently live in South Bretton. We never have any trouble this end a generally get a bad rep but there are lots of families around and a real sense of community with neighbours looking out for you. North Bretton is a bit iffy. I wouldn't live there personally. But the primary school I'm next to is in the top 10 in Peterborough. The secondary school is the same one I went to and it's got really good grade history. Bretton Centre is great too. Some places get written off without actually knowing them well. I lived in the Sugar Way estate in Woodston which is classed as an upper class area and had my car and home broken into. So you can bad things about anywhere. We have actually just accepted an offer on our home and have bought a house in Bourne, so will be off in a few months. I'm quite excited to be living in a small town. House prices are great, schools are fab and not to far from the city. We're moving to be nearer to friends and family and I'm actually quite sad to be leaving my home. But glad I will still be close to be able to come into Peterborough whenever I want. It's not a bad city at all. Every city has it's ups and downs.

I'd like to revive this thread as I'm trying to figure out where some of the nice areas to live mentioned actually are. We are looking to rent within very close proximity to the train station. It has to be that way for various reasons. Can someone help tell me what the areas directly around the station are called? It's a bit difficult to find out from a map.

Rosita - I don't know if you are still looking for information or not. It really depends on what you mean by close proximity?

We live in a good area 20 minutes walk / 10 minutes by cycle to the train station in Peterborough, but good areas close to the station in Peterborough are few and far between. They also tend to be more expensive than further out. It also depends whether you want a flat or house with flats being much easier to come by.

I'd suggest you try around Thorpe Road, Charlotte Way or possibly Netherton or Longthorpe if you want a house. Thorpe Road also has flats and there are some decent flats in the Town Centre.

Areas to avoid - New England / Millfield, West Town and Mayors Walk.

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