Good commuter towns north of London

Good commuter towns north of London

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Zippee

13,445 posts

233 months

Monday 1st July 2013
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I've lived in St Neots 13 years now and it's developed into a really nice town. Cinema on its way, some decent indie restaurants (Turkish, Chinese, Italian, Indian & Thai), good access to decent roads and a good commute into London. I travel in the 0747 every morning and have never had to stand - the earlier trains are busier but head towards the back and theres always seats - something commuters further down the line (Hitchin, Biggleswade etc) don't always have by the time we arrive there.
Coming home again, 1740 or 1810 - again no worries with a seat as long as you don't rock up with a minute to spare.

The town itself is very pleasant and got much better over the years. I'm guessing you've been looking at Loves Farm? It's OK but a little hemmed in - typical new build estate really. If so then David Wilson (far corner) IMHO offer the nicest plots and house styles. We looked at one of their large 4 beds a couple of years ago but opted for an older property in the Eatons (Eaton Socon & Eaton Ford are the nicest parts of town - Ford being the better IMHO)
Theres a few local PHers so if you ever fancy a chat about the town over a coffee one weekend give me a shout.

ETA - added benefit that your season ticket also includes Moorgate so a standard Gold card will also allow tube travel to other FCC connections (ie/ for me from K/Cross to Moorgate then a short walk to Cannon Street)

skibum

Original Poster:

1,032 posts

236 months

Monday 1st July 2013
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I'm actually looking at the houses in the Little Paxton area.

Zippee

13,445 posts

233 months

Monday 1st July 2013
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OK - Little Paxton is nice, especially the area around St James Rd. We very nearly bought this one but it needed a little too much work for us - https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ll=52.252...

Though new build - that'll be around the old Mill?

skibum

Original Poster:

1,032 posts

236 months

Monday 1st July 2013
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great - I'm considering the new Taylor Wimpey homes as you first head into Little Paxton from St Neots - on the left hand side after the second small bridge. Seems quite nice and not too far from the station.

Good to hear that the train isnt too crazy - I was probably going to opt for the earlier train (7:19) as it's quicker and I then have to get across the city to my office - but it sounds like even then, there are seats if you stay towards the back end of the train.

It's funny that you can get yourself in circles looking on line at reviews. Some sites saying there is a youth/drug issues, others saying the town centre is a dive, etc.. Seemed nice enough to me and I suppose as long as my car doesnt get keyed on my drive or my house doesnt get broken into, then it's not really an issue!

Some good driving roads nearby would be nice too.

loudlashadjuster

5,084 posts

183 months

Monday 1st July 2013
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skibum said:
It's funny that you can get yourself in circles looking on line at reviews. Some sites saying there is a youth/drug issues, others saying the town centre is a dive, etc.. Seemed nice enough to me and I suppose as long as my car doesnt get keyed on my drive or my house doesnt get broken into, then it's not really an issue!
You get comments like that almost anywhere. The disaffected youth of nice commuter towns will moan about the town as if it were the dodgiest parts of London, Manchester of Glasgow, but I suspect if you parachuted them into a Lewisham, Openshaw or Dennistoun they'd wet themselves!

I too would moan about my home town when I was young, but only after moving away did I realise just what a nice place to live it was and I ended up moving back after about 10 years.


Zippee

13,445 posts

233 months

Monday 1st July 2013
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loudlashadjuster said:
skibum said:
It's funny that you can get yourself in circles looking on line at reviews. Some sites saying there is a youth/drug issues, others saying the town centre is a dive, etc.. Seemed nice enough to me and I suppose as long as my car doesnt get keyed on my drive or my house doesnt get broken into, then it's not really an issue!
You get comments like that almost anywhere. The disaffected youth of nice commuter towns will moan about the town as if it were the dodgiest parts of London, Manchester of Glasgow, but I suspect if you parachuted them into a Lewisham, Openshaw or Dennistoun they'd wet themselves!

I too would moan about my home town when I was young, but only after moving away did I realise just what a nice place to live it was and I ended up moving back after about 10 years.
I was about to post something very similar smile
I've lives here 13 years and not had a single problem with ASB etc. it really is a pleasant market town - not without troubles in town on a Friday or Saturday night but it's rare and tbh, can be expected anywhere....


decadent

2,134 posts

174 months

Tuesday 2nd July 2013
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I know you seem to have concentrated on St Neots and it is nice with the river running through and housing stock available. But I just wanted to suggest Potters Bar or even Cuffley. I live here and it’s a nice enough place to live and has very good for transport options into London and the motorways.

I can be on the M25 in 2 mins from my house, on the A1000 heading north in 2 mins, into Kings Cross on the overland in 15 mins on a fast train (£1844/yr season ticket and always get seat) or have the choice of cockfosters/high barnet tubes in cycling/bus/short driving distance.

I feel house prices are reasonable for their proximity to London and the transport links too.

Evo9lution

637 posts

139 months

Tuesday 2nd July 2013
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decadent said:
I know you seem to have concentrated on St Neots and it is nice with the river running through and housing stock available. But I just wanted to suggest Potters Bar or even Cuffley. I live here and it’s a nice enough place to live and has very good for transport options into London and the motorways.

I can be on the M25 in 2 mins from my house, on the A1000 heading north in 2 mins, into Kings Cross on the overland in 15 mins on a fast train (£1844/yr season ticket and always get seat) or have the choice of cockfosters/high barnet tubes in cycling/bus/short driving distance.

I feel house prices are reasonable for their proximity to London and the transport links too.
Don't think the OP would get much in Cuffley for the amount listed in the first post tbh. I'm not so sure of house prices in PB but I suspect that both may be a little too close to London for the max spend.

New POD

3,851 posts

149 months

Tuesday 2nd July 2013
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Banbury. Middleton Cheney or other similar village nearby.

Grandad Gaz

5,090 posts

245 months

Wednesday 3rd July 2013
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Evo9lution said:
decadent said:
I know you seem to have concentrated on St Neots and it is nice with the river running through and housing stock available. But I just wanted to suggest Potters Bar or even Cuffley. I live here and it’s a nice enough place to live and has very good for transport options into London and the motorways.

I can be on the M25 in 2 mins from my house, on the A1000 heading north in 2 mins, into Kings Cross on the overland in 15 mins on a fast train (£1844/yr season ticket and always get seat) or have the choice of cockfosters/high barnet tubes in cycling/bus/short driving distance.

I feel house prices are reasonable for their proximity to London and the transport links too.
Don't think the OP would get much in Cuffley for the amount listed in the first post tbh. I'm not so sure of house prices in PB but I suspect that both may be a little too close to London for the max spend.
Yep, I'd guess you could get the same size place in St Neots for half the price of Cuffley!

St Neots would be worth the commute IMO smile

skibum

Original Poster:

1,032 posts

236 months

Wednesday 3rd July 2013
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Sooooo many options.

I think that I've knocked the St Neots idea on the head. I've heard some pretty damning things from trusted sources about the development I was looking at and the "calibre" of the occupants in the housing association allocated properties - something about overflow from oxmoor in Huntingdon and lots of police incidents already.

While I know that there are bad elements in any town and a bad estate in Huntingdon or similar are likely to pale in comparison to Moss Side and the like, it's not a risk I'm willing to take. I dont want to be stuck with a property that will be hard to resell and have my car targeted my mindless thugs for no other reason than their purile enjoyment.

Trying not to get into too much of a rant about the frankly ridiculous policy of the government forcing house builders to allocate a certain percentage of their houses to HA. Whilst I know that there are lots of people in HA that are perfectly fine, it only takes a few bad apples...

Anyway - change in criteria - pre-owned houses only - still with max ceiling of 250K. Locations under consideration are now Milton Keynes (West - areas like Loughton, Shenley, etc.. ) and Biggleswade. Also going to start looking at Baldock and Leighton Buzzard - any thoughts on those?

Zippee

13,445 posts

233 months

Wednesday 3rd July 2013
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Can't say I know much about that - though it's a new development and not actually in St Neots. As you're now looking at pre-owned houses then Eaton Ford/Socon in St Neots would be perfect, just don't tarr a whole town on the back of hearsay from a small development on the edge.
I do agree however, that the social housing mix policy is ridiculous but is nationwide.

decadent

2,134 posts

174 months

Wednesday 3rd July 2013
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Grandad Gaz said:
Yep, I'd guess you could get the same size place in St Neots for half the price of Cuffley!

St Neots would be worth the commute IMO smile
This is true, but if you are mortgaged the extra cost of the commute covers the hike in mortgage payments (it does for me anyway).

skibum

Original Poster:

1,032 posts

236 months

Tuesday 16th July 2013
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A quick update for anyone interested, I've just put in a final offer on a place on the Love's Farm development in St Neots. Think that it will be accepted and really like the property.

While the development I mentioned in an earlier post had put me off that particular place, I still think St Neots represents a good option for me with fast trains into London, close enough to other transport links (A1, A14) for visiting family and friends and I just got a good vibe from the town.

Zippee - your enthusiasm for your town is infectious. Once I'm in you'll have to show me the good driving roads around the area.

putonghua73

615 posts

127 months

Friday 20th September 2013
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I must say, this corner of PH is very genial. Must be the relaxed pace of life outside London.

Like the OP, my girlfriend and I (ok, my girlfriend - I'm being arm-twisted for the ride) will be looking next year to move outside of London. I have drafted criteria much like the OP - except our commute must be into Liverpool St due to my girlfriend's business. We are looking at Hertfordshire and were originally considering Broxbourne, but have expanded to include Cheshunt, Hertford, Hoddesdon and Ware.

In terms of houses we like, prices and area (only cursory Rightmove / Zoopla searches at the moment), Ware has been bumped to the top of the list.

An ex-work colleague recently got back in touch. Turns out he lived in both Broxbourne and Hoddesdon in his teens and completed his schooling in Ware. He mentioned that Broxbourne and Hertford are on the expensive scale of the spectrum; Cheshunt is too much of a London overspill, and that Hoddesdon and Ware represent good value. He also stated that he couldn't have asked for a much better place growing up.

I would previously have never dreamed of moving outside of London. Since I met my girlfriend, my priorities have changed. Throw in my last role had me commuting to Heathrow every-day (200 minute round trip despite living in London for Chris'sake!), dealing with the usual London delights, yada yada yada the idea of swapping for a much greener, relaxed, pleasant experience suddenly makes perfect sense. Throw in lovelier, bigger houses in decent areas for the price of a shed in Walthamstow (I would never move to E17. Ever), with a maximum commute of 45 mins to Liverpool St (my girlfriend needs to get off a couple of stops earlier - so around 35 mins for Liverpool St) and I'm left with one prevailing thought: why I didn't consider this idea sooner.

FWIW, she is paying £1.6k p/m rent for a spacious (London standards) modern 2 bed, 2 bathroom flat in East London (edge of zone 2). Yep, effectively the cost of a mortgage (plus change) in a crap area. For some reason I'm yet to fathom, it is now becoming trendy and people are falling over themselves to pay stupid prices for urban living.

My girlfriend seemed positively happy at the thought of a 45 minute commute, even though it is a 10 minute drive from my flat to her business (sub-5 minute drive from her place): she can spend the time sleeping on the train! She'll be travelling just outside peak- time (post 08:45).

Could any PHers comment on peak-time commutes on Greater Anglia to and from Liverpool St [myself]? Thanks!

Great thread here for anyone else who has the same dilemma.

Edited by putonghua73 on Friday 20th September 07:28


Edited by putonghua73 on Friday 20th September 07:46

Chris71

21,535 posts

241 months

Friday 20th September 2013
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putonghua73 said:
Like the OP, my girlfriend and I (ok, my girlfriend - I'm being arm-twisted for the ride) will be An ex-work colleague recently got back in touch. Turns out he lived in both Broxbourne and Hoddesdon in his teens and completed his schooling in Ware. He mentioned that Broxbourne and Hertford are on the expensive scale of the spectrum; Cheshunt is too much of a London overspill, and that Hoddesdon and Ware represent good value. He also stated that he couldn't have asked for a much better place growing up.
Having gone through this process recently I'd agree with most of that. If you like Hoddesdon go for it. Personally I hated living in London and I thought the atmosphere of Hoddesdon was still a tiny bit 'urban' but we did see a brilliant house there, just down the road from the Rye House station that seemed like phenomenally good value for money. It ticked all our boxes and there was nothing immediately dodgy about the area, but something I couldn't put my finger on just put me off.

Hertford is pricey - particularly anywhere near the centre. We ended up in a smaller, less characterful house right on the outskirts. But I'm so glad we did. It's a very friendly town that's small enough to retain real atmosphere but large enough to provide plenty of amenities and decent transport links.


anonymous-user

53 months

Friday 20th September 2013
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I think I've offered my thoughts in previous posts and in the other thread you linked to.

You can't go wrong with Ware or Hertford, and there are some lovely villages on the outskirts of both. I'm not a fan of Hoddesdon, although my visits there tend to be linked to Youth Football, so I'm probably not best placed to offer a valid opinion!.

I'd also consider coming further East, towards Bishops Stortford. The commute into Liverpool Street is somewhat quicker than the Hertford/Ware route as the Stansted Express stops at Stortford or Harlow, and it's about 35 and 25 mins into L'pool St from both respectively. I live in Much Hadham, a village in between Ware and Stortford, and my commute to my desk in Holborn Circus is about an hour (car/train/underground/walk).

The local Hertford and Stortford weekly papers were published today - both of which have Property Supplements. If you PM me your address I'll happily post them onto to you.

Good luck in the search!

Zippee

13,445 posts

233 months

Friday 20th September 2013
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I'm not a massive fan of Hoddesdon - theres always an 'atmosphere' there that I don't like though I can't give anything more tangible, just a feeling.
Ware is nice though as is Hertford.

Zippee

13,445 posts

233 months

Friday 20th September 2013
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skibum said:
Zippee - your enthusiasm for your town is infectious. Once I'm in you'll have to show me the good driving roads around the area.
Missed this smile
Sounds good - which part of L/Farm did you go for? We considered the David Wilson homes up in the far corner before deciding on an older house on the other side of town.
More than happy to show you some local roads.... Let me know when your're in.

E36GUY

5,906 posts

217 months

Friday 20th September 2013
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If you're looking at Hertford you should look at Welwyn Garden City too. I live in a village 5 mins from both and love the area. My house to Covent Garden can take as little 28 mins on a Saturday if you time everything right!