Living in Bedford?
Discussion
Well, it looks like I have very little option now but to leave London if I want to actually move on in life and buy a family house (that isn't total crap for c. £500k). One place I have been looking at actively is Bedford, and there's definitely a lot more to consider in my budget range.
Trouble is, despite visiting and viewing numerous times, I have absolutely zero idea about the place and have no contacts on the ground there. I realise the town centre is pretty dire with not the right ilk of person (apart from the Embankment area which is lovely). But, also that the school in the region can be pretty good (young child in tow).
There's something that has caught my eye south of the river but not too far from the station, but I'm now thinking that I should bide my time and really understand what Bedford is like to live from those people in the know. On top of the fact it will be a 3hr round trip to London, should hybrid working suddenly move to 5 days a week, I might well be regretting my decision with a killer commute if Bedford isn't the most ideal place.
So, it will just be me, the other half and a little one (nursery school age). I'm used to living the varied cosmopolitan London life but can move on from this for a decent home. The question is, has Bedford or the surrounding parts got more to offer than a nice house?
Many thanks in advance for any views!
Trouble is, despite visiting and viewing numerous times, I have absolutely zero idea about the place and have no contacts on the ground there. I realise the town centre is pretty dire with not the right ilk of person (apart from the Embankment area which is lovely). But, also that the school in the region can be pretty good (young child in tow).
There's something that has caught my eye south of the river but not too far from the station, but I'm now thinking that I should bide my time and really understand what Bedford is like to live from those people in the know. On top of the fact it will be a 3hr round trip to London, should hybrid working suddenly move to 5 days a week, I might well be regretting my decision with a killer commute if Bedford isn't the most ideal place.
So, it will just be me, the other half and a little one (nursery school age). I'm used to living the varied cosmopolitan London life but can move on from this for a decent home. The question is, has Bedford or the surrounding parts got more to offer than a nice house?
Many thanks in advance for any views!
My sister and her family lived in Kempston up until recently and then moved to Newport Pagnell. They have a fairly decent victorian semi for which they paid 550k for, but bloody hell, it really is a very long way from London. Whenever I drive there from where I live in East London it never fails to surprise me how far it really does feel from the smoke both in terms of physical distance, and the surburban "feel". Which is fine if that's what you want. But you might be a little bored if London is your thing ?
ujio said:
.....On top of the fact it will be a 3hr round trip to London, should hybrid working suddenly move to 5 days a week, I might well be regretting my decision with a killer commute if Bedford isn't the most ideal place......
Many thanks in advance for any views!
Would your commute be driving or by train? If train, have you considered St.Neots or Huntingdon? Both close to Bedford relatively speaking. I'm from St.Neots (ish) so know Bedford but as I moved away about 32 years ago, I can't say much for the various areas of it. Your brief description of the town and embankment does strike a chord though...Many thanks in advance for any views!
Thanks. Funnily enough I live in east London and it does feel like a journey to the end of the world to get there. It will be going from one extreme to another. And yes it will be by train to kings x.
Thanks, I will look at those areas too but they seem even more provincial!
Thanks, I will look at those areas too but they seem even more provincial!
Edited by ujio on Wednesday 16th June 22:13
If type/size of house is more important than location, why limit yourself to Bedford. There are decent equally affordable houses in the towns and villages all the way up the M1, once you're past st albans (SA being too expensive).
Presumably you want larger town type location, so maybe Hemel, Leighton buzzard, MK, Newport Pagnell. All largely decent with some crappy bits, same as everywhere.
Personally I'd avoid Luton, Dunstable and Bedford.
Why not look further east/west off the M1 trail, loads of options. M40 corridor maybe further from your office but it is a lot less congested than the M1.
Presumably you want larger town type location, so maybe Hemel, Leighton buzzard, MK, Newport Pagnell. All largely decent with some crappy bits, same as everywhere.
Personally I'd avoid Luton, Dunstable and Bedford.
Why not look further east/west off the M1 trail, loads of options. M40 corridor maybe further from your office but it is a lot less congested than the M1.
ujio said:
Thanks. Funnily enough I live in east London and it does feel like a journey to the end of the world to get there. It will be going from one extreme to another.
Have you thought about staying put and taking on a renovation project ? I've really enjoyed renovating our victorian terrace. And from my own perspective I couldn't make the shift from London to Bedford with ease. Id rather have a smaller house and garden and some cool stuff to do at the weekend, after being able to cycle the commute during the week.But each to their own of course. Hope it works out whatever you decide on!
xx99xx said:
If type/size of house is more important than location, why limit yourself to Bedford. There are decent equally affordable houses in the towns and villages all the way up the M1, once you're past st albans (SA being too expensive).
Presumably you want larger town type location, so maybe Hemel, Leighton buzzard, MK, Newport Pagnell. All largely decent with some crappy bits, same as everywhere.
Personally I'd avoid Luton, Dunstable and Bedford.
Why not look further east/west off the M1 trail, loads of options. M40 corridor maybe further from your office but it is a lot less congested than the M1.
Thanks for this. I will check these other areas you mentioned. I originally looked at Hemel but even 600k there buys something very average.Presumably you want larger town type location, so maybe Hemel, Leighton buzzard, MK, Newport Pagnell. All largely decent with some crappy bits, same as everywhere.
Personally I'd avoid Luton, Dunstable and Bedford.
Why not look further east/west off the M1 trail, loads of options. M40 corridor maybe further from your office but it is a lot less congested than the M1.
Have been looking at High Wycombe, but again it’s a stretch for anything half decent.
I’m all ears for any other suggestions.
If your considering Hemel and High Wycombe then you should add Aylesbury to the list, let's be honest none of these 3 options will make to town of the year award and are now all fairly large developed towns with a reputation that isn't the best but Aylesbury is the cheapest option being that bit further away.
For reference I could do Aylesbury to Harlow in about 50 minutes and Barking in just over an hour (out of rush hour). I would argue that the general area around Aylesbury is better than the other 2.
If Aylesbury looks surprisingly good VFM then start looking at Aston Clinton, Stoke Mandeville, Weston Turville and Wendover.
For reference I could do Aylesbury to Harlow in about 50 minutes and Barking in just over an hour (out of rush hour). I would argue that the general area around Aylesbury is better than the other 2.
If Aylesbury looks surprisingly good VFM then start looking at Aston Clinton, Stoke Mandeville, Weston Turville and Wendover.
kiethton said:
You mention Kings X for London but have you considered going south?
Somewhere like Sidcup/Albany park/Bexley - should get a decent house and ~25 to London Bridge, where you can change onto the regular X-rails which go to Kings X?
Yes I have. Thanks for the suggestions Keith. I also looked at Eltham, but again, it seems a bit scummy (think there are better areas nearby). I actually went to Danson park (Bexleyheath) this weekend and loved it around there... but it looks like everyone else does too. ie prices have really ramped up.Somewhere like Sidcup/Albany park/Bexley - should get a decent house and ~25 to London Bridge, where you can change onto the regular X-rails which go to Kings X?
I actually need to be in Victoria so that's a better commute. I'm also now looking down to Crawley & 3 bridges (never been yet!). The trouble is I've been spreading myself too thin and think I should really focus in one area.
You also have Leighton Buzzard. Fast (ish) commute into Euston and personally better than Bedford and Aylesbury.
The problem is any further south than that on the Euston line and housing costs start to go up.
You get to Tring and you are 600-800 for a family semi. But weirdly you get a super fast train link to Euston only stopping about 3 times and around 40minutes.
The problem is any further south than that on the Euston line and housing costs start to go up.
You get to Tring and you are 600-800 for a family semi. But weirdly you get a super fast train link to Euston only stopping about 3 times and around 40minutes.
princeperch said:
Have you thought about staying put and taking on a renovation project ? I've really enjoyed renovating our victorian terrace. And from my own perspective I couldn't make the shift from London to Bedford with ease. Id rather have a smaller house and garden and some cool stuff to do at the weekend, after being able to cycle the commute during the week.
But each to their own of course. Hope it works out whatever you decide on!
That's a good shout. I currently rent a flat. Only issue is that the house/terrace market is too hot here. Run down terraces are going for top £ then you have to factor in ££ more for extensive renovation.But each to their own of course. Hope it works out whatever you decide on!
RichFN2 said:
If your considering Hemel and High Wycombe then you should add Aylesbury to the list, let's be honest none of these 3 options will make to town of the year award and are now all fairly large developed towns with a reputation that isn't the best but Aylesbury is the cheapest option being that bit further away.
For reference I could do Aylesbury to Harlow in about 50 minutes and Barking in just over an hour (out of rush hour). I would argue that the general area around Aylesbury is better than the other 2.
If Aylesbury looks surprisingly good VFM then start looking at Aston Clinton, Stoke Mandeville, Weston Turville and Wendover.
Cheers Rich. I did consider Aylesbury but again it seemed a bit of a dodgy military town with strange folk. I guess that's why it's priced how it is, or maybe I need to look harder at the surrounding areas as you have suggested. Also the train commute to certain parts of London is a slog (High Wycombe would probably be the max). I think I've virtually looked at the whole of Bucks! For reference I could do Aylesbury to Harlow in about 50 minutes and Barking in just over an hour (out of rush hour). I would argue that the general area around Aylesbury is better than the other 2.
If Aylesbury looks surprisingly good VFM then start looking at Aston Clinton, Stoke Mandeville, Weston Turville and Wendover.
ujio said:
kiethton said:
You mention Kings X for London but have you considered going south?
Somewhere like Sidcup/Albany park/Bexley - should get a decent house and ~25 to London Bridge, where you can change onto the regular X-rails which go to Kings X?
Yes I have. Thanks for the suggestions Keith. I also looked at Eltham, but again, it seems a bit scummy (think there are better areas nearby). I actually went to Danson park (Bexleyheath) this weekend and loved it around there... but it looks like everyone else does too. ie prices have really ramped up.Somewhere like Sidcup/Albany park/Bexley - should get a decent house and ~25 to London Bridge, where you can change onto the regular X-rails which go to Kings X?
I actually need to be in Victoria so that's a better commute. I'm also now looking down to Crawley & 3 bridges (never been yet!). The trouble is I've been spreading myself too thin and think I should really focus in one area.
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/108672098#/
VEX said:
You also have Leighton Buzzard. Fast (ish) commute into Euston and personally better than Bedford and Aylesbury.
The problem is any further south than that on the Euston line and housing costs start to go up.
You get to Tring and you are 600-800 for a family semi. But weirdly you get a super fast train link to Euston only stopping about 3 times and around 40minutes.
That's the most irksome thing. You are now way out of London but paying London prices! I've also looked at WGC and Hatfield for a softer option. The problem is any further south than that on the Euston line and housing costs start to go up.
You get to Tring and you are 600-800 for a family semi. But weirdly you get a super fast train link to Euston only stopping about 3 times and around 40minutes.
I am in a £1m house in a Welwyn village, wanted to return to a nice house in Newport Pagnell where my brother lives. Prices are actually not that different, and there is such a lack of supply we gave up and are staying put. My wife started looking at estates down by Bletchley but I really didn't want to move that way.
Bedford is big, lots of new development I am not a fan. Maybe Hitchin, has a nice town centre also Baldock.
Bedford is big, lots of new development I am not a fan. Maybe Hitchin, has a nice town centre also Baldock.
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