Harpenden - nice place to live ?

[2something]

The time has come to leave our glorified broom cupboard (in good decorative condition) in Zone 2 and my OH really likes the look of Harpenden. We have been to have a look around and it seems like a nice town with decent rail links.

Any PH input (positive and negative) would be much appreciated on
the area generally
where to live
where not to live
what to look out for
anyone selling or renting a house
any good pub recommendations
why would you want to live there, have you looked at X instead

[2something]

Podie said:

All I can say is, it's a useful cut-through when the M1 is screwed.

Surely the M1 is always going to run smoothly now, as they've spent so much time and effort adding two lanes between a couple of junctions ...

[2something]

Podie said:

2something said:

Podie said:

All I can say is, it's a useful cut-through when the M1 is screwed.

Surely the M1 is always going to run smoothly now, as they've spent so much time and effort adding two lanes between a couple of junctions ...

Can't comment on that TBH. I felt it relevant, as I've used it a lot in the past, and would imagine that people use it to get to Luton airport too.

Does look nice round there though.

Sorry, I was being slightly sarcastic about the big disruption the roadworks caused over quite a long time for just one lane a side over a couple of junctions!!

Thanks for your post though, I hadn't thought of that and looking at the map, it does make sense.

[2something]

Ponk said:

Google "Harpenden Classics on the Common" and see what would be on your doorstep every July.

No date set for 2009 yet, but suddenly we have a June deadline to move

[2something]

rsv gone! said:

It is a fairly nice small town but is fiendishly expensive compared with it's neighbours and I swear half the population are old Nazis.

(I work there!)

Must brush on my German !!

I am a little worried about the OH's unerring ability to choose expensive things.

[2something]

Thanks for all the useful info, can't wait for classics on the common

St. Albans was top of the list of places we started looking at. We liked it - being close to a decent sized town centre, the transport links are great, it was nice - but just a bit too much like London for us (I guess we're getting old!)

[2something]

All good stuff, thanks guys.

We're now just struggling to actually find a modest 3/4 bedroom house (within budget) at the moment and have to work out what we're willing to compromise on.

Tim/Ed, thank you for your offers, I might be PM'ing you if we find somewhere!

[2something]

Just to avert a long St. Albans vs. Harpenden debate - both have their merits and it very much depends what you're looking for as to which one you choose.

Thanks for the tips on the villages outside of Harpenden which do look nice, unfortunately we really value being able to walk into town and to the train station. This avoids having to worry about pushy drivers and being wound up by the school run (I assume there is one).

Not so worried about a keeping up mentality, in London so many people are so far ahead that trying to keep up is a total waste of time and effort. As for golf well ... if I don't hurt anyone or anything when I'm on the golf course it's a bonus!

Edited by 2something on Tuesday 17th March 09:42

[2something]

Pitchshifter said:

I heard someone on the Thameslink train from London to Harpenden say people only live in Harpenden to boost their social status.. He got off at St. Albans...

If you suffer from road rage, avoid Harpenden station carpark at 6pm.

They are probably just bitter that people getting on in Harpenden nick "their" seats in the morning, I know I would be!

Good advice on the station car park, we are looking to make serious compromises to be within walking distance of the station and the village.

[2something]

DanL said:

I managed to miss this topic somehow! I grew up in Harpenden, as did both my parents (who still live there now). It's a lovely town to grow up in and raise a family in, but probably not the ideal place if you're after a variety of night life. That said, if that was what you were after you'd stay in London. ;-)

State schools are all generally good, crime is low, prices are high. The cheaper end of the market would be Southdown (nice enough, but quite a walk to the station and village) or Batford (not so nice, but it's all relative). Anywhere in Harpenden "proper" (10-15 mins walk to the village) should be very nice indeed, with West and East commons offering larger houses slightly further out of town.

I'd have no hesitation moving back there to start a family.

All sounds good, believe me I have experienced enough variety when it comes to night life in London

[2something]

Thanks to everyone for all the very useful posts, the OH really liked it, so we're moving next month and looking forward to it. It's obviously a complete co-incidence that we going to be there before Classics on the Common ...

Now for distinctly un-PH part - any recommendations on the commute into London/Canary Wharf (apart from the most sensible one, i.e. don't do it.)

[2something]

dougc said:

For using the train, there are a couple of options.

Harpenden - West Hampstead via First Capital Connect then Jubilee Line all the way to Canary Wharf

or

Harpenden - Kings Cross via First Capital Connect then Northern Line to Bank and DLR to the Wharf

Thanks - I am thinking the first option is the slightly better one. It wasn't clear from the timetable if I could go to London bridge then jump on the Jubilee line there as another alternative.