A guide to living in Cambridge

Only 54 minutes by train from London, Cambridge has some of the best employment opportunities outside of the capital. The city sits at the heart of what is often called Silicon Fen, a cluster of technology, life sciences and pharmaceutical companies that has grown around the university over the past three decades. AstraZeneca's global research headquarters is here, along with the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, one of the largest centres of medical research and health science in Europe. Cancer Research UK, the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology and hundreds of smaller biotech and pharmaceutical firms all call Cambridge home. For professionals in these sectors, few cities in the UK can match the concentration of opportunity.

Cambridge is a beautiful city with a booming economy, set in great countryside but all within easy reach of London. From punting on the River Cam and strolling through the Botanic Gardens, to the buzz of independent shops, restaurants and bars, Cambridge is a destination city. It has some of England's most famous views, The Backs for one, and an incredible history dating back to the 13th century. Here we look at why you should consider moving to Cambridge.

For the ultimate Cambridge experience, punting on the River Cam is an absolute must. This leisurely pastime offers you the chance to see Cambridge’s most iconic scenery, while a number of punting operators will talk you through a potted history of the city and show you the perfect spot for a picnic. 

For culture vultures, the Fitzwilliam Museum never fails to disappoint. Set in the heart of the historic city centre, the museum is home to everything from Renaissance sculptures to Egyptian antiquities. The museum is housed in one of Cambridge’s most iconic buildings and hosts regular events and various exhibitions throughout the year. Kettle’s Yard, on the other side of the city, is also well worth a visit. This is home to the University of Cambridge’s modern and contemporary art collection and has seen a major redevelopment in recent years. Previously home to Jim and Helen Ede, collectors of art and sculpture in the 1920s and 1930s, Kettle’s Yard is the darling of the contemporary art world and includes works by some of the biggest names such as Ben and Winifred Nicholson, Alfred Wallis, Constantin Brancusi, Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth.

When it comes to green space, Cambridge has more per acre than almost any other city in the UK. For those looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the centre, a visit to Jesus Green, Midsummer Common or Parkers Piece is a must. There's also the University of Cambridge’s Botanic Gardens, which is home to over 8,000 plant species from all over the world. It also has a packed events calendar throughout the year and a smart café.

Naturally, Cambridge is crammed with other museums thanks to the world-class research which has taken place at the university over the years. Other great spots to visit include the Polar Scott Research Institute, The Centre for Computing History or go on a behind-the-scenes tour of the university, with real-life Cambridge students as guides.

Cambridge is packed with bars and restaurants catering for all tastes. It offers an eclectic mix of traditional English pubs, fine dining and more relaxed, fusion food options. Here we take a look at some of the best options in the city.

At Six, the rooftop bar offers a massive cocktail list and views over the college rooftops. The glass-surrounded restaurant on the floor below has a great menu of fabulous pizzas from its stone baked oven, as well as steaks and a number of vegan and plant-based options too.

Midsummer House offers the best in fine dining. Opened in 1998 by Daniel Clifford, the restaurant is set in a Victorian villa overlooking the river and Midsummer Common and has a menu of contemporary British food and a world-famous tasting menu.

Parkers Tavern, in the refurbished University Arms Hotel, is the city’s best brasserie. Overlooking Parker’s Piece, the restaurant is run by Tristan Welch and the menu is described as ‘a love letter to the incredible produce found in East Anglia.’

There's an eclectic mix of catering on Mill Road, including any number of Indian, French, Italian and Spanish cuisines. One of the most exciting offerings here is Fin Boys Fish Butchery, which champions British fish and offers great advice for recipes; you can also eat there, and it's worth checking out the feasting table, which has a bespoke menu of seafood dishes.

With an eclectic mix of both high street brands and independent shops, shopping in Cambridge is some of the best on offer outside of London.

Rose Crescent is one of Cambridge’s prettiest streets and offers a range of shops including L’Occitaine en Provence, Molton Brown, Rituals and JoJo Maman Bebe, as well as high-end jewellers, Cellini. Cambridge residents also make the most of some of the city’s best independent retailers, including Trotter & Deane, a traditional menswear shop on Sussex Street, The Cambridge Satchel Company, one of the city’s most famous exports and the Cambridge Gin Distillery. Music lovers won’t be able to get enough of Lost in Vinyl, an adorable shop on Magdalene Street, one of Cambridge’s most photographed locations.

What are the best areas of Cambridge to live in?

Cambridge is a compact city, but each area has its own character. Where you choose to live will depend on whether you prioritise proximity to schools, ease of commute, nightlife or simply the best value for your budget.

City centre

For those who want everything on their doorstep, the city centre offers apartments and period conversions within walking distance of the colleges, restaurants, shops and the main railway station. You pay a premium per square foot, and parking is limited, but the trade-off is a lifestyle where a car is rarely necessary. The centre suits young professionals, academics and downsizers who value convenience above space.

Newnham

Newnham has a boutique village feel despite being within walking distance of the city centre. Tree-lined streets, period properties and a quiet residential character make it one of Cambridge's most sought-after areas. It sits close to several of the city's best independent and state schools, which makes it popular with families, and its proximity to the Backs and the river gives it a sense of space that other central areas lack. Property here commands a premium: a four-bedroom rental typically sits at around £4,000 per calendar month.

Newnham contains some of Cambridge’s most prestigious addresses. Roads such as Grange Road, Millington Road and Selwyn Gardens are among the most sought-after in the city, and the wider area takes in some of Cambridge’s most expensive streets, including Chaucer Road, Latham Road, Porson Road, Barrow Road and Bentley Road.

Trumpington

To the south of the city, Trumpington offers easy access to the M11 and sits close to both Addenbrookes Hospital and the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. It has always been popular with medical professionals and those working in the life sciences cluster, and the opening of Cambridge South station makes it even more connected. A two-bedroom property here typically lets at around £1,600 per calendar month. Trumpington is one of the most consistently in-demand areas in Cambridge for both buyers and renters.

Mill Road

Mill Road is Cambridge at its most diverse. The road itself is lined with independent shops, cafes and restaurants covering everything from Vietnamese street food to specialist wine merchants. The smaller streets that run off it, including Perowne Street, Catherine Street and Tennyson Road, are popular with young professionals and sharers who want a community feel, walking distance to the station and the buzz of a genuinely eclectic neighbourhood. It is one of the most sociable parts of the city.

De Freville and the Chesterton Road corridor

North of the river, De Freville is an established and desirable residential area with handsome Edwardian and Victorian houses and easy access to the river and Jesus Green. Chesterton, further along the corridor, is often overlooked but represents some of the best value in the city. It has good access to the guided busway, Cambridge North station and the Cambridge Science Park. Chesterton Community College received an outstanding Ofsted rating in 2025, which makes the area increasingly appealing for families. A three-bedroom house on Scotland Road, for example, lets at around £1,595 per calendar month, well below what you would pay for something comparable south of the river.

De Freville Avenue itself is one of the most desirable addresses north of the river. The wider corridor is also one of the parts of Cambridge most clearly on the way up: Chesterton and neighbouring Arbury continue to improve, the roads around Mitcham’s Corner have benefited from a full refresh of restaurants, bars and amenities, and the streets off Fen Road are increasingly popular for their proximity to Cambridge North and the traffic-free Chisholm Trail. The north side of the river generally represents some of the best value in the city, with lower price points but strong connectivity.

Cherry Hinton

To the south-east, Cherry Hinton has long been one of Cambridge's best value areas. It is well served by amenities, not far from the hospital and popular with families and professionals who want more space without moving out of the city. Streets such as Caribou Way, Speedwell Close and Lemur Drive are consistently in demand.

For families, the streets around Hartington Grove, Blinco Grove, Marshall Road and Rathmore Road see some of the highest demand in the city. They sit between good state schools and good private schools, which for many families is the single most important factor in choosing where to live in Cambridge.

Who lives in Cambridge?

Cambridge is a transient city. People come here specifically for work, and the tenant and buyer profile reflects that. The largest group is young working professionals, many of whom relocate for roles at Addenbrookes, Cancer Research UK, AstraZeneca or one of the many biotech and pharmaceutical firms on the Biomedical Campus and around the city.

Medical professionals on 12-month rotational placements make up a significant part of the rental market. Families are the second largest group, drawn by the quality of schools, both state and independent. There is also a notable cohort of international families who relocate to Cambridge specifically for the private school provision.

Since COVID, there has been a shift towards hybrid working. Cambridge's fast rail connection to London means professionals can work from home most of the week and commute in once or twice. Proximity to the station has become an increasingly important factor for this group. It is a city of people who have actively chosen to be here, and that gives it a particular energy.

Who buys in Cambridge?

The buying market in Cambridge has a clear character of its own. The most active buyers are young professionals, often chain-free and frequently with substantial deposits, with cash deposits of 30 to 40 per cent fairly typical. They tend to earn above-average salaries, which makes their borrowing attractive to lenders and helps them move quickly when the right property appears.

This profile has become more pronounced over recent years. The market was more mixed a decade ago, but young professionals now have access to the higher wages and larger borrowing that the city’s property prices demand.

There is relatively little pure relocation. Most buyers already know Cambridge well, having often rented here for a few years first, particularly those who originally moved for work and decided to settle. There is a healthy proportion of buyers coming from London, but no single dominant origin. For the most part, people buying in Cambridge already have an established life in the city.

The single most important search criterion, across every type of property, is turn-key condition. Buyers want a home that is ready to move into with no significant renovation or redecoration to take on. With building costs high and most buyers neither willing to wait months for work to finish nor to manage it themselves, the typical response is to increase the mortgage and buy something already done. This holds true everywhere from period Victorian terraces to brand-new builds, and it is worth bearing in mind for anyone preparing a property to sell.

For independent education, The Stephen Perse Foundation, St Mary's and The Leys School offer the best in class of private schooling, and all three are a significant draw for families relocating to the city, including international families moving to Cambridge specifically for the school provision.

On the state side, Chesterton Community College received an outstanding Ofsted rating in 2025 and serves the north of the city. Beyond the city itself, Cambridgeshire operates a distinctive village college system where secondary schools in surrounding villages act as community hubs. Impington Village College, Sawston Village College and Comberton Village College all have strong reputations, and their catchment areas are a genuine driver of property decisions for families considering a village rather than the city centre.

School catchment is one of the most important factors in the Cambridge property market. The corridors between good state and private schools, particularly around Hartington Grove and Blinco Grove, consistently see higher demand than other parts of the city.

In the country

Heading out of the city, the village of Grantchester, of the ITV series fame, is a must-visit. This beautiful, traditional English village is only a few minutes from the centre of Cambridge. Set on the River Cam, Grantchester was home to war poet Rupert Brooke. The village is also home to Grantchester Meadows, one of the most beautiful open spaces in the area, as well as Byron's Pool, a pond where Lord Byron is said to have swum. The village has a handful of pubs and restaurants, and the famous Orchard Tea Garden.

Cambridge is surrounded by villages that offer a quieter pace of life while keeping the city within easy reach. Many families and professionals choose to live in a village and commute by train, guided busway or bike. Some of the most popular options are covered below.

Cambridge North station, opened in 2017, serves the north of the city and is close to the Cambridge Science Park. It offers direct services to London King's Cross and connections to the guided busway network.

Cambridge South station opened for public use in June 2026, serving the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Addenbrookes Hospital and the AstraZeneca campus directly. For anyone working in the southern life sciences cluster or living in Trumpington, this will be a significant addition.

By road, Cambridge sits on the M11 (London and Stansted), the A14 (east-west, connecting to the A1/M1) and the A10 (north to Ely and south towards London). The city operates a Park and Ride system from several sites on the outskirts.

Surrounding villages

One of the great advantages of Cambridge is the quality of the surrounding villages. Whether you want a train station on your doorstep, a village school for the children or simply more space for your money, there is an option within easy reach.

South of Cambridge: Great Shelford and Stapleford offer a direct train to both Cambridge and London, with period properties and the Gog Magog Hills on the doorstep. Sawston is a larger village with its own village college, good amenities and proximity to the Wellcome Genome Campus. Duxford and Whittlesford offer M11 access, the biotech corridor around Granta Park and Whittlesford Parkway station for London commuters.

West of Cambridge: Comberton is home to the well-regarded Comberton Village College and has a sought-after family feel. Grantchester needs little introduction and is walkable from the city centre along the meadows. Barton offers a quiet, rural character with easy M11 access.

North of Cambridge: Histon and Impington have a strong High Street, Impington Village College and guided busway access into the city and out to St Ives. Milton is close to the Cambridge Science Park and has Milton Country Park, one of the best green spaces in the area. Waterbeach is undergoing a major transformation with a new town development on the former barracks site and sits on the Fen Line with an eight-minute train to Cambridge.

East of Cambridge: Fulbourn is a popular family village on the edge of the Gog Magog Hills with walks, a nature reserve and three pubs. Great Wilbraham offers a quieter, more rural feel further along the A1303 corridor towards Newmarket.

For those considering a city alternative altogether, Ely is just 15 minutes by train and offers a cathedral city lifestyle at roughly a third less than Cambridge property prices. You can read more in our guide to living in Ely.

Renting in Cambridge

Cheffins currently manages around 650 rental properties across Cambridge, with 501 on full management and 149 on a let-only basis. Around 30 properties are typically available at any given time.

The average monthly rent across Cambridge is £1,434 per calendar month (as of Q1 2026, Cheffins data). Broken down by property type:

A two-bedroom flat averages £1,465 per calendar month. A two-bedroom house averages £1,361. A three-bedroom house averages £1,660, though this varies significantly by type: a mid-terrace at around £1,387 through to a townhouse at around £2,179. A four-bedroom house averages £2,058.

Search properties to let in Cambridge or, for a fuller view of demand, best areas to rent and what the Renters' Rights Act means for landlords, see our guide to renting in Cambridge.

What your budget buys in Cambridge

Cambridge covers a wide range of prices, and what is realistic depends a great deal on budget. Cheffins completed 349 sales across the city in the last 12 months at an average achieved price of £470,154. At the more accessible end, one-bedroom flats average £180,500 and two-bedroom flats £300,893, while houses range from around £482,772 for a terrace to £697,620 for a detached home. The southern side of the city covers the upper range. The right area depends as much on lifestyle and commute as on budget, and Cheffins' Cambridge team is always happy to talk through the options at any level.

Buying or renting a house in Cambridge

For anyone considering buying or renting a house in Cambridge, our first recommendation would be to visit the city and spend time in the key residential areas. Newnham, De Freville, Mill Road, Trumpington and Cherry Hinton each have their own character, and what suits one buyer or tenant may not suit another.

Cheffins can help buyers and renters with properties ranging from some of the largest family homes in the city centre to Victorian terraces, modern apartments, and new developments, both in Cambridge itself and in the surrounding villages.