Info on Leighton Buzzard
Discussion
Good evening all,
As per the title, I'm looking for info on Leighton Buzzard and the Linslade area.
Had a look around the place this week end as a possible place to move to and settle in the future.
My general perception is that the centre is a bit bland, not very leafy however, MK is only 20min away for shopping, Bucks and the Ashbridge estate are not far at all and, the are some good roads around the area too.
Whithout sounding like a snob, What I'll be looking for are info on what sort of people I could except to find? I've heard that there are few rough estates around it, although I didn't come across many "baseball hat" wearers. Being close to Luton and Bedford, is there much crime in the area? All the police programs on the TV seems to be located around this areas.
As I've got a little one, what are schools and general facilities like?
Thanks
As per the title, I'm looking for info on Leighton Buzzard and the Linslade area.
Had a look around the place this week end as a possible place to move to and settle in the future.
My general perception is that the centre is a bit bland, not very leafy however, MK is only 20min away for shopping, Bucks and the Ashbridge estate are not far at all and, the are some good roads around the area too.
Whithout sounding like a snob, What I'll be looking for are info on what sort of people I could except to find? I've heard that there are few rough estates around it, although I didn't come across many "baseball hat" wearers. Being close to Luton and Bedford, is there much crime in the area? All the police programs on the TV seems to be located around this areas.
As I've got a little one, what are schools and general facilities like?
Thanks
Hi
I currently reside in Stanbridge, 5 minutes from LB.
LB hasn't much to offer in terms of a town centre, you've got all the supermarkets and pound shops you need though. Traffic is s
t. Always. I don't bother with LB unless I have to.
My advice would be look at the surrounding villages as they are quieter and much nicer places to be. Or look at the Heath & Reach end of LB.
They are building the A5-M1 link at the moment which makes places like Stanbridge, Tebworth and Hockliffe etc very good options.
Crime is no worse than anywhere else, there is definitely a high number of baseball hat wearing types though.
The driving roads around here, if you know where to go, are excellent
I currently reside in Stanbridge, 5 minutes from LB.
LB hasn't much to offer in terms of a town centre, you've got all the supermarkets and pound shops you need though. Traffic is s
t. Always. I don't bother with LB unless I have to.My advice would be look at the surrounding villages as they are quieter and much nicer places to be. Or look at the Heath & Reach end of LB.
They are building the A5-M1 link at the moment which makes places like Stanbridge, Tebworth and Hockliffe etc very good options.
Crime is no worse than anywhere else, there is definitely a high number of baseball hat wearing types though.
The driving roads around here, if you know where to go, are excellent
Edited by Jazzy Jefferson on Monday 20th June 12:03
We've lived in Leighton Buzzard for 9 years.
Currently in our 2nd house and waiting for a date to move to the third
1st house - Planets Estate (off the Hockliffe Road). Approx 1 mile from the town centre, nice area and quiet (we were burgled while we were - approx. 6 years ago)
2nd (Current) house - Nelson Road. Advantages: big ex council properties with large gardens, had a reputation approx. 30 years ago but most of the problem tenants have been moved around over the years (now up on Sandhills by all accounts). Disadvantage some of the surrounding roads are full of scrotes
Next house (all being well) is up on Cotefield Drive which is off the Heath Road. Significant increase in mortgage but much closer to my Son's school and a nicer part of town.
The two 'roads' to be on in Leighton Buzzard itself (i'm not up to speed on the surrounding areas) are Heath Road and Plantation Road which run from the centre of town out towards the Stockgrove/Rushmere country parks.
There is a mixture of pubs / restaurants in town - For example I know the landlord/lady at the Golden Bell and it is more focused on sports compared to say the Black Lion which is more a traditional ale pub.
My typical local is the Stag (which sits in the fork of the road between plantation and heath rd) but I've started to use the Star which is on the Heath Road (almost in Heath & Reach).
Crime wise, the police station isn't manned a lot of the time so I think on occasion there is some anti-social behaviour but I suspect no worse than any other small/growing town
School catchment is becoming increasingly important so if you have children you may want to base your search around the school catchments (I think middle schools have a broad range of good to needing improvement)
Other good elements - 35mins into Euston on the fast train (which is quicker than going from Watford/Hemel) and you can be on the M1 in 15mins
Quarters seem to be selling 85-90% of the houses in the area (we sold through them) so worth registering an interest with them. Urban & Rural were also very helpful when we were looking
Currently in our 2nd house and waiting for a date to move to the third
1st house - Planets Estate (off the Hockliffe Road). Approx 1 mile from the town centre, nice area and quiet (we were burgled while we were - approx. 6 years ago)
2nd (Current) house - Nelson Road. Advantages: big ex council properties with large gardens, had a reputation approx. 30 years ago but most of the problem tenants have been moved around over the years (now up on Sandhills by all accounts). Disadvantage some of the surrounding roads are full of scrotes
Next house (all being well) is up on Cotefield Drive which is off the Heath Road. Significant increase in mortgage but much closer to my Son's school and a nicer part of town.
The two 'roads' to be on in Leighton Buzzard itself (i'm not up to speed on the surrounding areas) are Heath Road and Plantation Road which run from the centre of town out towards the Stockgrove/Rushmere country parks.
There is a mixture of pubs / restaurants in town - For example I know the landlord/lady at the Golden Bell and it is more focused on sports compared to say the Black Lion which is more a traditional ale pub.
My typical local is the Stag (which sits in the fork of the road between plantation and heath rd) but I've started to use the Star which is on the Heath Road (almost in Heath & Reach).
Crime wise, the police station isn't manned a lot of the time so I think on occasion there is some anti-social behaviour but I suspect no worse than any other small/growing town
School catchment is becoming increasingly important so if you have children you may want to base your search around the school catchments (I think middle schools have a broad range of good to needing improvement)
Other good elements - 35mins into Euston on the fast train (which is quicker than going from Watford/Hemel) and you can be on the M1 in 15mins
Quarters seem to be selling 85-90% of the houses in the area (we sold through them) so worth registering an interest with them. Urban & Rural were also very helpful when we were looking
There are of course the usual rough areas and baseball types, but you will get those in any area the size of LB.
The town centre has some good real ale pubs, plenty of decent coffee shops and a variety of independent little shops not always found in other high streets around the area.
The Linslade/Heath and Reach side of town is generally nicer but obviously you will pay for that.
As you have said, Milton Keynes is 20mins away for all your big shopping needs, you have good link to M1 coming up and a railway into London.
There are loads of nice little villages around LB if that fits your budget/needs but I find LB to be quite a relaxed/non-threatening/slightly quirky alternative to Dunstable/Bedford/MK.
The town centre has some good real ale pubs, plenty of decent coffee shops and a variety of independent little shops not always found in other high streets around the area.
The Linslade/Heath and Reach side of town is generally nicer but obviously you will pay for that.
As you have said, Milton Keynes is 20mins away for all your big shopping needs, you have good link to M1 coming up and a railway into London.
There are loads of nice little villages around LB if that fits your budget/needs but I find LB to be quite a relaxed/non-threatening/slightly quirky alternative to Dunstable/Bedford/MK.
pmanson said:
Mezzanine said:
We dealt with Quarters to buy our house.
There is a good reason they seem to be handling the vast majority of the local sales
The owner Gavin is also a bit of a car nut too (his wife and mine are good friends) There is a good reason they seem to be handling the vast majority of the local sales
If the OP likes a bit of ale, pop down to the Black Lion in town one afternoon, or over to the Leighton Buzzard Brewery.
Great help, cheers guys!
I'll have a look at the map for the named roads to get an idea of location.
We were thinking Linslade as the train station is there, small villages would be good but, than the wife would have to drive in everyday and, as mentioned above, the roads did seem busy.
How's the journey from the M1 to the M25 (anti clockwise) in the morning? Is it worth using the B roads towards Aylesbury and get the M25 from there?
Thanks again
I'll have a look at the map for the named roads to get an idea of location.
We were thinking Linslade as the train station is there, small villages would be good but, than the wife would have to drive in everyday and, as mentioned above, the roads did seem busy.
How's the journey from the M1 to the M25 (anti clockwise) in the morning? Is it worth using the B roads towards Aylesbury and get the M25 from there?
Thanks again
dema said:
Great help, cheers guys!
I'll have a look at the map for the named roads to get an idea of location.
We were thinking Linslade as the train station is there, small villages would be good but, than the wife would have to drive in everyday and, as mentioned above, the roads did seem busy.
How's the journey from the M1 to the M25 (anti clockwise) in the morning? Is it worth using the B roads towards Aylesbury and get the M25 from there?
Thanks again
Getting through town in the morning/evening/weekend is a nightmare due to the council putting crossing in at all the roundabouts! I'll have a look at the map for the named roads to get an idea of location.
We were thinking Linslade as the train station is there, small villages would be good but, than the wife would have to drive in everyday and, as mentioned above, the roads did seem busy.
How's the journey from the M1 to the M25 (anti clockwise) in the morning? Is it worth using the B roads towards Aylesbury and get the M25 from there?
Thanks again
If i'm going out to the M25 I either head out towards Hemel Hempstead (Billington Road / A4146) or go out through Grovebury Road head towards Ivinghoe/Tring and join the A41 there that takes you down to the M25.
Both take a similar amount of time but that does depend on the time of day (eg. avoid Hemel at rush hour).
I reckon either option are 20-30mins at that time of day.
A friend who is a PHer lives in Soulbury and drives up to the station most days so it can be done
Also he gets cheaper council tax as it's Bucks County Council who empty his bins not Central Beds (who seem to like to charge lots of money for everything and anything) No disrespect to anyone who has already posted but the general feeling is that Leighton Buzzard is a chav sthole.
I am sure there are exceptions but why not pop into any of the local pubs on a friday night around 11pm and see for yourself, take a friend and go tooled up just in case. The locals will smell that you are from out of town.
Take a look at Ampthill/Woburn/Woburn Sands/Toddington IMHO all are immeasurably better than Leighton Buzzard.
thole.I am sure there are exceptions but why not pop into any of the local pubs on a friday night around 11pm and see for yourself, take a friend and go tooled up just in case. The locals will smell that you are from out of town.
Take a look at Ampthill/Woburn/Woburn Sands/Toddington IMHO all are immeasurably better than Leighton Buzzard.
ex1 said:
No disrespect to anyone who has already posted but the general feeling is that Leighton Buzzard is a chav sthole.
I am sure there are exceptions but why not pop into any of the local pubs on a friday night around 11pm and see for yourself, take a friend and go tooled up just in case. The locals will smell that you are from out of town.
Take a look at Ampthill/Woburn/Woburn Sands/Toddington IMHO all are immeasurably better than Leighton Buzzard.
I love a 'no disrepect' post... it's a bit like 'i'm not racist but...' thole.I am sure there are exceptions but why not pop into any of the local pubs on a friday night around 11pm and see for yourself, take a friend and go tooled up just in case. The locals will smell that you are from out of town.
Take a look at Ampthill/Woburn/Woburn Sands/Toddington IMHO all are immeasurably better than Leighton Buzzard.
As with all places with this amount of people there will always be the occasional issues. I'm the first one to admit i'm not out every Friday/Saturday night but I've never had any issue/seen any trouble in the 9 years I've lived here but then I don't go looking for it.
Maybe it was because you were visiting the chav drinking holes eg. Weatherspoons/The Lancer/Bottom Bell (or whatever they've renamed it to now)?
Agree with your last comment but it's all relative and those places tend to cost a few more quid to live in too
pmanson said:
I love a 'no disrepect' post... it's a bit like 'i'm not racist but...'
As with all places with this amount of people there will always be the occasional issues. I'm the first one to admit i'm not out every Friday/Saturday night but I've never had any issue/seen any trouble in the 9 years I've lived here but then I don't go looking for it.
Maybe it was because you were visiting the chav drinking holes eg. Weatherspoons/The Lancer/Bottom Bell (or whatever they've renamed it to now)?
Agree with your last comment but it's all relative and those places tend to cost a few more quid to live in too
Chav sAs with all places with this amount of people there will always be the occasional issues. I'm the first one to admit i'm not out every Friday/Saturday night but I've never had any issue/seen any trouble in the 9 years I've lived here but then I don't go looking for it.
Maybe it was because you were visiting the chav drinking holes eg. Weatherspoons/The Lancer/Bottom Bell (or whatever they've renamed it to now)?
Agree with your last comment but it's all relative and those places tend to cost a few more quid to live in too
thole is probably a little harsh but knowing the surrounding areas pretty well I wouldn't chose to live there. I am sure there are many happy and fulfilled people in Leighton Buzzard but its not for me. Just giving the OP another take on things.Thanks again,
Will look at the mentioned places as well, as long as they have a station it will be fine.
I'm moving from a leafy chav free town but a 3 bed goes for anything between 4 and 600k, unfortunately way over budget.
I think that the A41 is the one I took going back home, I've ended up in Chesham.
Will look at the mentioned places as well, as long as they have a station it will be fine.
I'm moving from a leafy chav free town but a 3 bed goes for anything between 4 and 600k, unfortunately way over budget.
I think that the A41 is the one I took going back home, I've ended up in Chesham.
Edited by dema on Monday 20th June 16:29
We're in Toddington, moved from out of the area about 15 years ago. Very happy here, little one in a very good local school. Nice village atmosphere etc.
Both my wife and I are freelance, and work in London a few days each week, sometimes drive, sometimes train. Nearest station is Harlington...so a drive but free to park, or 10 minutes on a scary bike ride....(over the M1 bridge). Easy journey, but were not usually in rush hour. Ampthill/Flitwick/Harlington are all on a different train line to LB. Goes into St Pancras if that's a consideration, but it also runs very late and goes through Luton & Gatwick airports which is handy.
Both my wife and I are freelance, and work in London a few days each week, sometimes drive, sometimes train. Nearest station is Harlington...so a drive but free to park, or 10 minutes on a scary bike ride....(over the M1 bridge). Easy journey, but were not usually in rush hour. Ampthill/Flitwick/Harlington are all on a different train line to LB. Goes into St Pancras if that's a consideration, but it also runs very late and goes through Luton & Gatwick airports which is handy.
ex1 said:
No disrespect to anyone who has already posted but the general feeling is that Leighton Buzzard is a chav sthole.
I am sure there are exceptions but why not pop into any of the local pubs on a friday night around 11pm and see for yourself, take a friend and go tooled up just in case. The locals will smell that you are from out of town.
Take a look at Ampthill/Woburn/Woburn Sands/Toddington IMHO all are immeasurably better than Leighton Buzzard.
Most town centre pubs at 11pm on a Friday are likely to be full of drunken 'chavs' though, surely?thole.I am sure there are exceptions but why not pop into any of the local pubs on a friday night around 11pm and see for yourself, take a friend and go tooled up just in case. The locals will smell that you are from out of town.
Take a look at Ampthill/Woburn/Woburn Sands/Toddington IMHO all are immeasurably better than Leighton Buzzard.
Personally I don't go anywhere near them myself, so never an issue.
Of course Woburn/Ampthill might be nicer but the prices are higher and less choice of housing.
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