Humour me - house on a budget in southern Herts
Discussion
MrDecadent said:
There are some villages with train stations that might be better value - Watton at Stone looked nice when I drove through but might be a tad quiet!
As long as there's a village pub or something I'd be happy. Mrs Chris71, however, works as a music teacher and would probably benefit from somewhere with more potential students.On that note, anyone know how the schools compare between Baldock and Letchworth? More for her employment than any potential offspring at this stage.
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Hi live in Stotfold...
Lovely town, this house is just down the road from me.. Dead end road, no through traffic.
Very close to A1 but far enough away not to create any noise issues!
Peaceful life :-)
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/prope...
Lovely town, this house is just down the road from me.. Dead end road, no through traffic.
Very close to A1 but far enough away not to create any noise issues!
Peaceful life :-)
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/prope...
StonetheCrows said:
Letchworth, Hoddesdon....me thinks that Chris is just picking places that have a Kart track 
Next stop an industrial estate on the outside of Milton Keynes. 
Think it's more or less come down to Baldock Vs Letchworth. Did a whole load more viewings today and - while I appreciate this is a personal thing - they confirmed I far prefer Baldock as a town centre. On the other hand, they also confirmed you get more house for your money in Letchworth.
That said, I did see a house in Baldock I quite liked. The outside was pure '70s council house - it's the sort of place everyone's grand parents lived in when I was a kid - which isn't great, but it was nice inside. Even had a garage.
dellsmithuk1 said:
Hi live in Stotfold...
Lovely town, this house is just down the road from me.. Dead end road, no through traffic.
Very close to A1 but far enough away not to create any noise issues!
Peaceful life :-)
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/prope...
My OH originally hails from Stotfold. Nice small town but no transport links.Lovely town, this house is just down the road from me.. Dead end road, no through traffic.
Very close to A1 but far enough away not to create any noise issues!
Peaceful life :-)
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/prope...
And we know the current owners of that house.
Went for another look around Letchworth yesterday. We went into one of the town centre's only two(?) pubs at 6pm on a Sunday afternoon, watched a fight nearly break out between a couple of inebriates and counted all the signs about people dealing drugs on the premises.
Despite this, for reasons I can't quite fathom, my OH still insists she prefers it to Baldock. She's mentioned the lack of shops in Baldock, but it's not as if she's the sort of person who scoots off to Harvey Nic's every weekend as it is.
I could get over that if she had her heart set on a house we both liked - irrespective of the area - but she now appears to have gone off the one we were seriously considering in Letchworth.
Is there a tearing your hair out smiley?
Despite this, for reasons I can't quite fathom, my OH still insists she prefers it to Baldock. She's mentioned the lack of shops in Baldock, but it's not as if she's the sort of person who scoots off to Harvey Nic's every weekend as it is.
I could get over that if she had her heart set on a house we both liked - irrespective of the area - but she now appears to have gone off the one we were seriously considering in Letchworth.
Is there a tearing your hair out smiley?
Baldock for living in a nicer area, Letchworth for more house for the money.
For shops Hitchin is better than either, it’s on the same train line (your missus doesn’t drive right?) so she’ll still be able to get a bit of retail smooching only a few minutes away. Could even catch the bus from Baldock to Hitchin.
My problem with places like Letchworth (and Welwyn, Stevenage, Hemel, Hatfield aka the New Towns) is that the government shipped out the riff raff from London Council Estates which invariably has had an impact on the mix of inhabitants. I don’t want to paint the entire town with the same brush as there are obviously some great level headed and like minded people and that live there and likewise some crud that live in the old market towns, but from my extensive house hunting I felt as though it has had a detrimental effect on the areas, hence why they are better value for money.
Mumsnet is a good place to “search” for comments on a local area. I know it’s a bit gey but I think I have some logic in the tactic – after all they do tend to use the facilities and live day to day in the area!
For shops Hitchin is better than either, it’s on the same train line (your missus doesn’t drive right?) so she’ll still be able to get a bit of retail smooching only a few minutes away. Could even catch the bus from Baldock to Hitchin.
My problem with places like Letchworth (and Welwyn, Stevenage, Hemel, Hatfield aka the New Towns) is that the government shipped out the riff raff from London Council Estates which invariably has had an impact on the mix of inhabitants. I don’t want to paint the entire town with the same brush as there are obviously some great level headed and like minded people and that live there and likewise some crud that live in the old market towns, but from my extensive house hunting I felt as though it has had a detrimental effect on the areas, hence why they are better value for money.
Mumsnet is a good place to “search” for comments on a local area. I know it’s a bit gey but I think I have some logic in the tactic – after all they do tend to use the facilities and live day to day in the area!
boolay said:
Originally a Quaker towm, so no traditional pubs.
Regarding shops, Letchworth might have more of them, but they aren't exactly quality! Besides, Baldock has the shop of the Devil - what more do you need?!
Trust me, I'm all too aware of Letchworth's God-bothering lentil-munching past. Regarding shops, Letchworth might have more of them, but they aren't exactly quality! Besides, Baldock has the shop of the Devil - what more do you need?!
And the standard of the shops.
The level of development planned for Baldock is a bit of a concern. We found out they are about to build several hundred new houses just opposite one of the places we were were/are seriously considering an offer on. Nice of the estate agents to mention that.
We seem to have exhausted the current crop of Letchworth and Baldock properties within our budget and requirements, so might re-visit Hertford, Ware and Bishop's Stortford.
Chris
Baldock is generally quieter - Prices in Herts are reflected in what the areas are like - I've lived in Herts pretty much all my life and there are good and bad spots everywhere. Avoid Hatfield and Borehamwood also if you both can travel with cars branch out into the leafy villages around those obvious places - Ive often gone for a Sunday drive and discovered places worth researching for houses before - any excuse to go for a blast!!!
Best of luck Sir
Baldock is generally quieter - Prices in Herts are reflected in what the areas are like - I've lived in Herts pretty much all my life and there are good and bad spots everywhere. Avoid Hatfield and Borehamwood also if you both can travel with cars branch out into the leafy villages around those obvious places - Ive often gone for a Sunday drive and discovered places worth researching for houses before - any excuse to go for a blast!!!
Best of luck Sir
Chris I don't envy you - I just spent 2 years searching for a similar home in Letchworth/Baldock/Stevenage area.
As someone who has worked in Letchworth for 15 years, lived there for 2, and grew up in Stevenage I can give you some insite.
Properties in Letchworth in the 'right' areas don't come up often for your budget. In 2 years I came across about 3 which all sold instantly. If by the North West of town you are referring to the Grange Estate, it's not an area I'd choose, although the property currently listed on Wilbury Road is far enough out to be considered. The area I would focus on which has been mentioned is the Lordship Estate, in the South East between Baldock Rd/Letchworth gate/Wilbury. But these houses rarely come up within your budget. This is a lovelly area, great for evening walks. From this location you will be within walking distance to the Fox and Three Horseshoe pubs in Willian, I strongly recommend you give them a visit. As you have found out best to avoid all the pubs in town. The Letchworth Greenway is worth a mention, it's a leisure circuit surrounding the town for walking/jogging/cycling - the only thing I miss about Letchworth. The town itself has many good independent shops and a couple of good Italian restaurants, and is well looked after (Letchworth Heritage Foundation responsible for it has just revealed a funds surplus of £126m!). My gripe is it has few Superstores, so found I spent most weekends in Stevenage which has many, and one of the reasons I bought there instead. For the record I think you are wrong to completely discount Stevenage, I would have pointed out a vey nice 2-bed on my street but it just sold - within 2 weeks
http://www.rightmove....
Ok Stevenage town centre isn't much, but the High Street is vibrant and between there and the Leisure Park has many good eateries. I don't know any town that can be fairly judged by it's inner-estate pubs. I would suggest you park up and stroll the High Street one Saturday, I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
Baldock is on the up in my opinion. It has developed in recent years into a vibrant 'cafe culture' style town. It has regular food markets, a famous butchers (Chapman's), an annual music festival. Some fantastic independent shops and many great restaurants and pubs. There are many large period properties in the High Street, that stood derelict for some time, but have recently been bought up and renovated by developers - I'd take this as a positive sign. For my money if you can find a property you like in Baldock it will be a sound investment.
As someone who has worked in Letchworth for 15 years, lived there for 2, and grew up in Stevenage I can give you some insite.
Properties in Letchworth in the 'right' areas don't come up often for your budget. In 2 years I came across about 3 which all sold instantly. If by the North West of town you are referring to the Grange Estate, it's not an area I'd choose, although the property currently listed on Wilbury Road is far enough out to be considered. The area I would focus on which has been mentioned is the Lordship Estate, in the South East between Baldock Rd/Letchworth gate/Wilbury. But these houses rarely come up within your budget. This is a lovelly area, great for evening walks. From this location you will be within walking distance to the Fox and Three Horseshoe pubs in Willian, I strongly recommend you give them a visit. As you have found out best to avoid all the pubs in town. The Letchworth Greenway is worth a mention, it's a leisure circuit surrounding the town for walking/jogging/cycling - the only thing I miss about Letchworth. The town itself has many good independent shops and a couple of good Italian restaurants, and is well looked after (Letchworth Heritage Foundation responsible for it has just revealed a funds surplus of £126m!). My gripe is it has few Superstores, so found I spent most weekends in Stevenage which has many, and one of the reasons I bought there instead. For the record I think you are wrong to completely discount Stevenage, I would have pointed out a vey nice 2-bed on my street but it just sold - within 2 weeks
http://www.rightmove....
Ok Stevenage town centre isn't much, but the High Street is vibrant and between there and the Leisure Park has many good eateries. I don't know any town that can be fairly judged by it's inner-estate pubs. I would suggest you park up and stroll the High Street one Saturday, I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
Baldock is on the up in my opinion. It has developed in recent years into a vibrant 'cafe culture' style town. It has regular food markets, a famous butchers (Chapman's), an annual music festival. Some fantastic independent shops and many great restaurants and pubs. There are many large period properties in the High Street, that stood derelict for some time, but have recently been bought up and renovated by developers - I'd take this as a positive sign. For my money if you can find a property you like in Baldock it will be a sound investment.
In the end we didn't go for Letchworth or Baldock. My fiancee and I simply couldn't agree on which one to go for, but after upping the budget a tad we found somewhere we both really liked ... Hertford.
The logic was basically that its size and amenity value is closer to Letchworth (which was important to her), but its character and social scene is more like Baldock (which was important to me). It's also usefully closer to London and the M25.
The logic was basically that its size and amenity value is closer to Letchworth (which was important to her), but its character and social scene is more like Baldock (which was important to me). It's also usefully closer to London and the M25.
Quite a step up pricewise, but a nice area 
I work in Ware and used to be up Hertford quite a lot socially until I moved up to Bedfordshire (I grew up in Stanstead Abbotts). Now I am up this way though I can see my next house move being even further north
ETA
Have you looked at Stanstead Abbotts as well? Its on the same line as Hertford East (2 stops away) and I doubt will be much more pricewise than Hertford?
I work in Ware and used to be up Hertford quite a lot socially until I moved up to Bedfordshire (I grew up in Stanstead Abbotts). Now I am up this way though I can see my next house move being even further north
ETA
Have you looked at Stanstead Abbotts as well? Its on the same line as Hertford East (2 stops away) and I doubt will be much more pricewise than Hertford?
Edited by AceOfHearts on Sunday 2nd June 09:51
AceOfHearts said:
Have you looked at Stanstead Abbotts as well? Its on the same line as Hertford East (2 stops away) and I doubt will be much more pricewise than Hertford?
Nope, driven through it loads of times, though. 
It's all academic now, but I think Bishops Stortford would have been our next port of call if we'd looked at that part of the world. OH wasn't so keen on the Liverpool St Line and Stanstead Abbotts is perhaps a bit too small for her tastes (I like villagey, but she was after a small town really...)
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