What's it like around Letchworth?

What's it like around Letchworth?

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Discussion

mr_spock

Original Poster:

3,340 posts

214 months

Friday 18th November 2016
quotequote all
I'm looking at possibly moving to one of the villages around Letchworth. Maybe Stotfold, Arlesey, Ashwell, that sort of area. It looks like there are some nice village style areas, decent properties with enough space for a double garage (a must have, of course) and it's good for the school run and possible commute into London or north up the A1.

What's it actually like though? Any opinion welcome.

nellyleelephant

2,705 posts

233 months

Friday 18th November 2016
quotequote all
I can vouch for Ashwell, lived there for 6 years. We needed a larger house due to a child but nothing was in budget.

Very nice village with enough shops and services to cover most things.

Spindoctor

781 posts

199 months

Friday 18th November 2016
quotequote all
The places you've mentioned are all quite different. Arlesey is not the most picturesque, and I wouldn't call it a village as such. Stotfold has had a huge amount of new build and is becoming more like a small town but without all the facilities. Nicer than Arlesey though.

Ashwell is a proper village although it has also suffered a bit from new build houses being squeezed in everywhere. It feels much more cramped nowadays. But decent pubs, quaint shops, nice church, pretty countryside etc etc.

What's your budget?


mr_spock

Original Poster:

3,340 posts

214 months

Friday 18th November 2016
quotequote all
Thanks! Not sure of exact budget as have to get the current place valued and go through the mortgage tests again. Should manage a 3 bed house I hope.

Grandad Gaz

5,090 posts

245 months

Friday 18th November 2016
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Ashwell is the most expensive of the villages you have mentioned, with Arlesey being the cheapest.

Be aware, there is a huge amount of new build in the pipeline on land around Arlesey.


rgv250ads

434 posts

113 months

Friday 18th November 2016
quotequote all
I've lived in Biggleswade since 2001, Grew up in Stotfold. Lived in Arlesey for 3 years, Know the surrounding areas V well.

Are you specifically looking for a village type feel. Alot of the sheffords, cliftons, henlows, arlesey's etc barely have a decent corner shop. It's a trip in the car to get anything of substance. You can't walk to the stations for Rail (ashwell excluded, but house Prices are Hertfordshire ££££)

If commute to london is on the cards, check out Biggleswade. Main station on the route north of peterborough and every train stops. Arlesey has less stops, as does Sandy.
Town centre is rather like a large village not a town, and the amount of money and effort coming into the area from central beds is plain to see.

we've moved twice within biggleswade and would not move unless a lottery win came in. I really rate it. Good luck in your search!

nellyleelephant

2,705 posts

233 months

Friday 18th November 2016
quotequote all
Didn't read properly earlier, if you're looking for a garage in Ashwell, let alone a double garage, it'll be 600k plus, which may or may not be a problem.

We ended up moving to Clophill which has the village feel of Ashwell, but not the cost!

beanoir

1,327 posts

194 months

Saturday 19th November 2016
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We live in Shillington. Nice village atmosphere, schools are good, pubs are good and the locals and really friendly and lots of decent people to socialise with - which I was surprised about but welcomed as I was new to the area at the time. There's even a car meet in the summer months at one of the local pubs in the village.


mr_spock

Original Poster:

3,340 posts

214 months

Sunday 20th November 2016
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Sounds nice, I'll take a look. Before I know my real budget we'll have to make some more progress with our divorce, then I can look for real. Right now, I'm just trying to understand what my minimum spend would need to be.

Perik Omo

1,883 posts

147 months

Wednesday 23rd November 2016
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My daughter moved from a rented house in Hitchin to buying an ex-council house in Langford. She loves Langford and has been there for about 10 years now and it seems to have a good community.

E36GUY

5,906 posts

217 months

Tuesday 29th November 2016
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In March we moved to Guilden Morden which is a village up the road from Ashwell. A good deal cheaper as well. It's right next to a second village, Steeple Morden, and we are making friends in both - mainly due to the excellent school in Steeple which our elder is at. Moved not knowing a soul there and absolutey no regrets at all. A lovely spot.

mr_spock

Original Poster:

3,340 posts

214 months

Tuesday 6th December 2016
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Sounds good, off to online searches smile

dema

358 posts

174 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
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May I ask you why are you looking at Letchworth over Biggleswade, Sandy etc..
Only reason for asking is that I'll be in the area next week end to have a nose around myself as I don't know the area either
Thanks

mr_spock

Original Poster:

3,340 posts

214 months

Saturday 14th January 2017
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It's near enough to where I am now but a lot less expensive!

456mgt

2,504 posts

265 months

Tuesday 17th January 2017
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I lived in Ashwell 2000-2006 and really don't miss the place. Pretty up-tight and definitely not worth the premium to live there. Lots of great villages in herts/beds and no specific issues that I know of. There are lots of buildings going up all over the place, but that's public record. The issue will be garaging..

STICKY3

262 posts

146 months

Wednesday 18th January 2017
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a build company I'm involved with just about to start a new development in Ashwell, approx. 30 new houses

Dblue

3,252 posts

199 months

Sunday 29th January 2017
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Lived in Letchworth for 40 years, of villages close to Letchworth , Weston and Willian are delightful. Both have shops and excellent pubs but are so close to bigger towns that there's little inconvenience getting anything really.
North of Letchworth property is significantly cheaper, south beds is a lower cost area but Arlesey and Stotfold are uninspiring places. The 2 Mordens are a good shout and Ashwell is lovely but pricey.