There has been extensive regeneration of Ipswich in recent years, making it an even more attractive option for those thinking of moving here. In particular, the dock and marina have gone through much change and this entire waterfront area has been redeveloped so that It now has many bars, restaurants, leisure facilities as well as stylish new-build apartments that are aimed to appeal mostly to young professionals as well as those with families.
If you go to Neptune Marina, you'll see that it has many striking, new build properties and a number of these modern apartments offer amazing views of the marina itself and the surrounding coastline. There are a number of penthouse apartments available here too.
Another reason for the town's rebuilding work is that Ipswich is talked about as a possible commuter town for London. The journey time from Ipswich to London is one hour 20 minutes which does makes it possible to travel into the capital on a daily basis. A season ticket would cost between £6,000 to £7,000 but this cost would be offset by the much lower property prices you will find here compared with some areas closer to the capital. For those who want a property close to the railway station, you can look for terraced homes around Belstead Road or The Hayes area.
Towards the high end of the Ipswich property market you should look for larger properties available in Christchurch Park. Nevertheless, the new build apartments along the waterfront remain the star attraction for many property hunting because of their combination of attractive location plus relatively good-value prices. These apartments also offer some opportunities for renting although the rental market has been patchy in Ipswich in recent years.
The town centre of Ipswich has also gone through major refurbishment in recent times. It has the usual array of high street shops as well as some new leisure and entertainment facilities. For more independent shops, head to The Saints area of town. Areas of employment in Ipswich include insurance, shipping and agricultural manufacturing.
Perhaps a highlight of living in Ipswich are the excellent schools found here. These include Ipswich Girl's School, Coppleston High School and Northgate High School. Castle Hill Infant School has been rated as 'outstanding' by Ofsted. There are also a number of independent schools in the area. In terms of further education, Suffolk New College and the University of Suffolk have a presence in the town.
Last but not least, Ipswich has some good road connections with the A14 leading to Bury St Edmonds. The A12 goes to Chelmsford, Colchester and north-east London. There are also two areas of Outstanding Natural beauty just outside the town and many picturesque coastal towns such as Aldeburgh