Where to live near RAF Mildenhall...? (rentals, good schools, subdivision) - United Kingdom - City-Data Forum

e.b. · 07-19-2011, 09:52 AM

My husband is in the US Air Force and recently received orders to RAF Mildenhall.

We don't want to live on base (no point in moving to England just to live in an American community), so I've been scoping out the surrounding towns. So far, I've got my eye on Isleham, Chippenham, Fordham and Soham. Wondering if anyone has lived in these areas? Opinions? Soham seems to have the most available rentals and conveniences, but we don't want to live more than 20 minutes from base, at most. Does anyone know how long is the commute is from Soham to RAF Mildenhall? (I never trust the accuracy of Google Maps.) We have a four-year-old and plan to enroll him in the British school system, so good schools are important...though, it appears most of the schools in that area are highly rated. Would greatly appreciate any advice or suggestions.

Thanks!

Hengist · 07-19-2011, 10:27 AM

This discussion may be useful:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/unite...ildenhall.html

e.b. · 07-19-2011, 11:05 AM

Thanks, Hengist.

I actually had seen that discussion. I've looked into a couple of the areas mentioned there, but was hoping to get a little more insight on areas like Soham and such. From what I've gathered, Red Lodge is nice, but more a subdivision than a traditional village (which is more our style). Mildenhall town would be okay, except we'd prefer to live a little further out. I've posted on USAF forums asking about the outlying towns, but many (not all) military families don't like to be more than 5 minutes from base or off base at all. Or they live east of Lakenheath, where we're looking at west of Mildenhall. So no one has been able to tell me much about the areas we're interested in. Figured I'd try here...