Living in Ipswich – 26 Reasons to Move to Suffolk
As the central hub of Suffolk, living in Ipswich in 2024 offers a fantastic opportunity for those seeking a balanced lifestyle.
While the town may not be the most extravagant location in the UK, it exudes a peaceful charm without being dull.
In fact, Ipswich is Suffolk’s liveliest town, reinvented by significant investment in its popular waterfront and the establishment of the University of Suffolk in 2007.
With one of the fastest-growing economies in the UK, Ipswich is making a name for itself as one of the best places to live in the country.
Here are 26 compelling reasons to consider living in Ipswich this year!
Table of Contents
1. Diverse Property Market
Living in Ipswich provides buyers with an excellent range of property types, with prices to suit all budgets.
The average property value is currently £253,671, comfortably below the national average of £292,924 as of 2024.
The area you choose to live in plays a key role in house prices.
For instance, Christchurch Park is a highly regarded area boasting lovely period properties that are popular with young families.
In this neighbourhood, you can expect to pay an average of £520,000 for a property, significantly higher than the region average.
For more information on properties, visit Rightmove’s website.
2. Rich Historical Architecture
Ipswich is one of the UK’s oldest settlements and is home to over 650 listed buildings thanks to its vast history.
Notable examples include the Ancient House, a stunning timber-framed building adorned with detailed pargeting, and Christchurch Mansion, a Tudor mansion housing an impressive art collection.
When living in Ipswich, be sure to explore these architectural gems that provide a valuable insight into the town’s history and will really help you to connect with the history of your new home.
3. Medieval Churches
Exploring Ipswich’s history a little deeper, the town is also home to numerous medieval churches, with seven active ones still in and around the area!
St Margaret’s Church, built in the 1300s, is a sublime example of historic architecture and is certainly worth visiting.
The oldest church, St Peter’s, erected in 1130, isn’t in the best condition. This may be rather unsurprising given its age, but it remains a site of historical significance.
4. Scenic River Cruises
Experience Ipswich from the water with a cruise along the River Orwell.
Various companies offer river tours, with the Sailing Barge Victor highlighted as a top choice.
This traditional 19th-century sailing boat is equipped with modern facilities and is popular among those looking for a relaxing experience with opportunities for bird watching.
Another option is the Allen Gardiner River Cruise Restaurant, which offers a more traditional river cruise experience complete with a hot meal—an excellent day out for those moving to the area and wanting to get a unique look at their new home!
5. Abundant Parks and Green Spaces
Ipswich boasts an array of beautiful parks. Christchurch Park is the most popular, covering over 33 hectares in the town centre.
Opening in 1895, it’s also the oldest park in the area and offers fantastic facilities, including a bowling green, table tennis, and a children’s play area.
It gained even more popularity after a £4.5 million refurbishment in 2008.
Other popular parks include Bourne Park and Hollywells Park, both of which boast excellent play areas and natural beauty.
6. Shopping Experiences
Whether you prefer popular retail stores or unique boutiques, Ipswich has the perfect shop for you.
If you enjoy shopping centres, the Buttermarket Centre is the place to be, home to stores like New Look and Superdry, as well as a variety of restaurants.
For more unique shops, The Saints area, comprising St Peter’s Street and St Nicholas Street, offers a range of independent shops and cafes set against the backdrop of one of the town’s oldest and most historic areas.
With convenient car parking and its proximity to the town centre and waterfront, The Saints is a thriving hub within Ipswich.
7. Ipswich Maritime Festival
This annual festival celebrates the town’s maritime heritage and has been running since 2010.
Introduced by the Ipswich Borough Council, the event has become extremely popular, attracting over 65,000 visitors.
Located along the waterfront, the festival usually takes place every August.
You can expect a host of fun activities ranging from live music and naval demonstrations to delicious street food—and the best part is that it’s free to attend!
Check the latest dates and events at the Ipswich Maritime Festival website.
8. Museums Galore
With such a long and interesting history, it’s no surprise that Ipswich is home to several museums.
The most popular is undoubtedly the Ipswich Transport Museum, displaying a collection of over 100 major transport and engineering items made or used in the Ipswich area.
Popular exhibits include Ipswich’s own buses, fire engines, bicycles, police cars, and even lawnmowers!
Other notable museums include the Ipswich Museum and the previously mentioned Christchurch Mansion.
9. Vibrant Theatre Scene
For culture enthusiasts, living in Ipswich provides exceptional theatrical experiences.
The town offers numerous theatres, with the New Wolsey Theatre being a community favourite.
Established in 1979, the theatre seats 400 spectators and hosts annual pantomimes and various local productions.
It’s a fantastic venue that supports local actors by providing the perfect platform for them to shine.
The largest theatre in Ipswich is the Regent Theatre, with a capacity of over 1,500, where you can expect to see larger productions and live music.
10. Modern Cinemas
If you prefer the big screen, Ipswich has excellent cinemas to choose from.
Empire Cinema, ranked the highest in Ipswich on TripAdvisor, offers the perfect balance of comfort and value for money, showing all the latest releases.
For those interested in more niche films, the Ipswich Film Theatre is the ideal venue, dedicated to independent and arthouse cinema.
11. Beautiful Walking Trails
If you enjoy exploring the great outdoors, Ipswich and Suffolk have some fantastic walks to savour.
You can choose to stay within the town, enjoying beautiful walks along the waterfront, or venture into the surrounding countryside.
Priestley Wood is considered one of the best examples of ancient woodland in the UK, with a spectacular array of flora and fauna. Another interesting walk is in Rendlesham Forest, home to the famous UFO trail.
This 1,500-acre area of woodland near the Suffolk coast is synonymous with the 1980 UFO sighting.
You can relive the incident yourself with detailed information boards scattered along the walk.
If the kids aren’t captivated by tales from outer space, there are also plenty of play areas to keep them occupied.
12. A Festival for Everyone
Ipswich and the broader region of Suffolk host a variety of festivals throughout the year.
Whether it’s popular food festivals, renowned music and arts events, or even a celebration of Brazilian culture, the region has something for everyone.
Latitude Festival is one of the most significant music events in the UK, winning the Best Major Festival Award in 2017.
It features a mix of literature, comedy, theatre, dance, poetry, and some of the world’s greatest musicians—all set in gorgeous lakeside surroundings on the Suffolk Coast.
For food enthusiasts, the Newmarket Food and Drink Festival in the centre of Newmarket offers displays by celebrity chefs, tastings, live music, and plenty of original food and drink found nowhere else.
13. Local Breweries
Suffolk is renowned for its brewing heritage. It is the home of one of the UK’s biggest brewers, Greene King, founded in 1799 in Bury St Edmunds.
This tradition of brewing is also celebrated in Ipswich, where various brewers host tours of their facilities.
With tours starting from just £10, Briarbank Brewery is a fascinating experience for its visitors at a great value.
The guided tour includes a taste test and your choice of beer or soft drink in the bar afterwards.
14. Top-Rated Pubs
If you’re a fan of traditional pubs, Ipswich is home to some of Suffolk’s highest-rated establishments.
The Fat Cat was named one of the top ten beer pubs in the country in the 2019 Good Pub Guide.
Described as a beer lover’s dream, it’s very popular among locals.
The pub stocks a massive range of up to 18 real ales from across the UK and serves food all day.
Other fantastic pubs to consider include the Arcade Street Tavern and The Greyhound, both offering excellent atmospheres and selections.
15. Revitalised Waterfront
The stunning Ipswich waterfront has emerged as the beating heart of the town.
Once the most rundown sector, massive investment and vision have transformed it into a vibrant area.
On a nice day, you can enjoy a stroll by the marina, admiring the lovely boats often moored there.
The waterfront is integral to the town, home to fantastic bars and restaurants such as Bistro on the Quay, and hosts the annual Maritime Festival.
16. Thriving Port
The Port of Ipswich is located at the head of the River Orwell, 12 miles from the sea.
It’s a short sailing time from the North Sea shipping lanes and manages over three million tonnes of cargo each year, making it a very busy waterway and essential to the area’s economy.
One of the main imports here is timber products from Scandinavia and the Baltics.
With such a significant port so close to the town, Ipswich has thrived economically.
17. Historic Figures
Ipswich has been home to notable historical figures.
One of the most famous is Thomas Wolsey, the Archbishop of York and adviser to Henry VIII in 1509, who rose to become the most prominent figure within the church.
Various schools and pubs in Ipswich are still named after him!
Another famous individual is artist Thomas Gainsborough, who worked in the town.
Lord Nelson became steward of Ipswich in 1557, and like Wolsey, various pubs are named after this famous naval figure.
18. Prestigious University
Since it opened in 2007, the University of Suffolk has been a significant provider of higher education in Ipswich and Suffolk as a whole.
The university has over 5,000 students representing over 68 different nationalities.
It prides itself on its welcoming atmosphere and being a home away from home for its students.
The opening of the university is significant for Ipswich, not only attracting an increased student population but also ensuring the highest level of education is provided.
19. Fitness and Sports Facilities
If you’re a fitness fanatic, Ipswich has you covered.
The town caters to all, with several gyms and leisure centres to choose from. Ipswich Sports Club is a fantastic option, offering a top-notch gym, fitness classes, squash, tennis, and hockey facilities, making it a great choice for those looking to stay active.
20. Cycling Enthusiast Haven
Ipswich caters to cyclists of all levels.
The very popular Ipswich Cycling Weekend is an event that takes place every August, with a range of routes up to a 100-mile cycle.
The stunning Suffolk scenery provides the perfect backdrop for any cycling enthusiast.
There are several cycle clubs within the town, the most popular being the Ipswich Bicycle Club, which caters to training children, off-road cycling, and various other traditions.
If you’re a cycling enthusiast living in Ipswich, be sure to check out these events and clubs.
21. Scenic Running Routes
If you prefer fresh air and changing scenery when exercising, Ipswich is a great location for a run.
With a range of both urban and rural landscapes only a stone’s throw away, there are plenty of places to explore.
Whether you’re running through the town’s streets or along the beautiful coastline, you’ll never tire of the views.
Be sure to track your runs with apps like Strava, which give detailed feedback and allow you to save your favourite routes.
22. Proud Football Heritage
Formed as an amateur club in 1878, Ipswich Town F.C. is the pride and joy of the town’s football fans.
Although not at the pinnacle of the domestic game, Ipswich Town still draws large crowds, and it’s always a good day when they win.
If you’re living in Ipswich, be sure to support your local team.
You can purchase merchandise and tickets from the official club website.
23. Famous Residents
Ipswich and Suffolk have been home to a whole host of celebrities over the years.
Singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran, originally from Halifax, moved to Framlingham, Suffolk, at a young age.
The star began writing songs during his time at Thomas Mills High School in Framlingham, which is around 30 minutes from Ipswich town centre.
The English writer George Orwell, who wrote works such as Nineteen Eighty-Four and Animal Farm, was from Suffolk and is considered one of the 20th century’s best narrators of English culture.
Actor Richard Ayoade, star of The IT Crowd, was also raised in Ipswich.
24. Twinned with Arras, France
Ipswich shares a special relationship with Arras in France.
Sister City relationships aim to increase cultural understanding and forge goodwill between the people of different cities and countries.
This relationship has been established since WWI when the Suffolk Regiment fought in Arras.
With regular school trips and events, there’s a fantastic bond between the two towns.
25. Booming Economy
It’s an exciting time to be living in Ipswich.
In 2018, the town was found to be the second fastest-growing economy in the UK, behind only Cambridge.
The report revealed that Ipswich had the second-highest Gross Value Added (GVA) growth rate in the UK in the first three months of the year, at 2.5%.
This growth is expected to continue, with the region expected to stay within the top 10 fastest-growing economies for the next decade.
26. Excellent Schools
One of the most important factors to consider when living in Ipswich with a young family is education.
The town has 31 primary schools, four of which have been deemed ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted.
Two of these outstanding schools, St Mary’s Catholic Primary School and St Mark’s Catholic Primary School, are the top performers in the town.
Secondary education is provided by 11 schools, with Copleston High School being the pick of the bunch.
Given a ‘Good’ score from Ofsted, it is above the national average for grades achieved.
Ready to Make the Move?
Living in Ipswich offers a blend of historic charm, modern amenities, and a vibrant community.
With its growing economy and rich cultural scene, Ipswich is an ideal place to call home.
If you’re considering a move tp Ipswich, GoodMove is here to make your transition seamless and stress-free.
We offer competitively priced removal packages and additional services like temporary or long-term storage facilities.
Our friendly estimators cover all areas of Suffolk, Norfolk, and Essex. They can visit at a time convenient to you and strategically plan your move to perfection.
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Let us help you start your new chapter in Ipswich!