Where to live? - Watford/St Albans/Hemel Hempstead
Discussion
Mojooo said:
I have provisionally settled on WGC even though a mate of mine who lives there says he hated it as too quiet
Other option I am looking at is Enfield - was put off due it London element but could be persuaded.
Enfield can cover a wide area as it's a borough and there's some grim bits, has a reputation from years ago but the bit we're in (Enfield town) is lovely and has notably gentrified even in the 12 years we've been here, you'd be going against the traffic flow for the Hertford commute too. Other option I am looking at is Enfield - was put off due it London element but could be persuaded.
Thread is useful to me too. Hitchin sounds good but Letchworth Garden City very nearby doesn’t get much of a mention. I looked at some old threads, is general consensus on LGC ok but just a bit more boring? (Suits me), some of the properties there were bit more suitable (read affordable) to me than hitchin
I live in Letchworth. To me it's perfectly placed for many places, all the main supermarkets are here (Tesco at Baldock is just up the road). Hitchin and Stevenage are a short ride away and if you require more variety of shops then Cambridge is about 30 mins drive. Been here since 1977 on and off as I worked overseas a lot so house was rented out but retired and here permanently now. To me anyway, Welwyn seems to be dying and I can't see John Lewis being there for much longer, I think the death knell was M&S closing and opening a very nice store in Stevenage of all places. Anyway Letchworth is quiet if that's what you want and there are lots of good walking places if you like the outdoors.
Letchworth has a smaller town centre than Hitchin, but there are lots of coffee shops, good selection of pubs, decent restaurants, a micro brewery, lots of independent retail including the excellent David's Music and Books, occaisonal food markets and a fantastic multi-screen art deco cinema which also houses a live theatre. Doesn't have a nightclub, whereas Hitchin has several, but I'd say that's an advantage given the incidents that occur in and outside many clubs.
There's great countryside on the doorstep and some nice villages close by. Wide variety of property choices in Letchworth, some places to avoid but property in the conservation area is very nice and - as the first ever garden city - its unique in terms of design, layout and look. Prices are a bit less than Hitchin and WGC. Its really well connected - fast train to Kings X is about 30 mins and its on the Cambridge to Gatwick & Brighton line. Also just 15-20 mins to Luton Airport by car and its got the A1(M) nearby.
Baldock, Letchworth, Hitchin are kind of like the tri-state area - each is distinct and different but geographically they almost form one conurbation with a 3-min train journey or a 5 min drive linking them. In terms of going out you have easy access to all three if you live in one of them. LGC is the middle one so its really easy to get to Hitchin or Baldock.
So yes, definitely worth checking out Letchworth.
And I really should get a job at the Letchworth Tourist Board.
There's great countryside on the doorstep and some nice villages close by. Wide variety of property choices in Letchworth, some places to avoid but property in the conservation area is very nice and - as the first ever garden city - its unique in terms of design, layout and look. Prices are a bit less than Hitchin and WGC. Its really well connected - fast train to Kings X is about 30 mins and its on the Cambridge to Gatwick & Brighton line. Also just 15-20 mins to Luton Airport by car and its got the A1(M) nearby.
Baldock, Letchworth, Hitchin are kind of like the tri-state area - each is distinct and different but geographically they almost form one conurbation with a 3-min train journey or a 5 min drive linking them. In terms of going out you have easy access to all three if you live in one of them. LGC is the middle one so its really easy to get to Hitchin or Baldock.
So yes, definitely worth checking out Letchworth.
And I really should get a job at the Letchworth Tourist Board.
I've be looking at St Albans and Hertford over Hatfield and WGC. I worked in WGC (for a big company with a base in Cheshunt too) but lived in North London. It's a pretty easy commute out of London up the A1, would be the same going up the A10 depending where you live.
When I worked there I was always surprised at the amount of night lift in Hertford. It's small but I always thought it was pretty nice with good bars and restaurants. Hatfield would be pretty much bottom of my list, depending on what you're after. WGC better but not particularly high. It's a nice leafy (initially artificial) town but there isn't much going on
If you're near (one of the two) stations in Hertford then you also have the option of the train if you lived further in
When I worked there I was always surprised at the amount of night lift in Hertford. It's small but I always thought it was pretty nice with good bars and restaurants. Hatfield would be pretty much bottom of my list, depending on what you're after. WGC better but not particularly high. It's a nice leafy (initially artificial) town but there isn't much going on
If you're near (one of the two) stations in Hertford then you also have the option of the train if you lived further in
Lots of good advice in this thread…as many other people have said commuting along the A414 is something I would avoid, in fact commuting if have to travel in the same direction as the majority of traffic is a bit of a nightmare. These are heavily populated areas with high levels of traffic at the best of times. As has been mentioned above living in North London and commuting in the reverse direction would definitely be better,
Whatever you decide on I would absolutely recommend staying the night in a hotel/B&B and trying the commute you intend to do.
Whatever you decide on I would absolutely recommend staying the night in a hotel/B&B and trying the commute you intend to do.
Teddy Lop said:
Mojooo said:
I have provisionally settled on WGC even though a mate of mine who lives there says he hated it as too quiet
Other option I am looking at is Enfield - was put off due it London element but could be persuaded.
Enfield can cover a wide area as it's a borough and there's some grim bits, has a reputation from years ago but the bit we're in (Enfield town) is lovely and has notably gentrified even in the 12 years we've been here, you'd be going against the traffic flow for the Hertford commute too. Other option I am looking at is Enfield - was put off due it London element but could be persuaded.
https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emissio...
I thought I'd come back to update this thread to help the next person... It's been interesting!
So I have ended up in Stevenage.
Firstly, when I actually tried contacting people to live, I tried anywhere and everywhere in Herts - I came up against the fact that very few landlords/agents responded - I must have contacted over 30 people and only got 3 viewings- 1 in Hertford, 1 in Hatfield and 1 in Stevenage. I did try other places like St Albans, Watford, Hitchin and Harpenden. The landlords I met basically said as soon as an advert is put up they are inundated with messages. The competition for properties is very intense.
In the end I had to take the place in Stevenage as I was only about 10 days away from starting work. By that point I had driven to Herts 3 times for 3 viewings and getting a bit fed up (plus costing me £40 odd quid in petrol each time and taking 5 or 6 hours of time).
Before people start having a go - i literally couldn't have got a place in St Albans or Hitchin or Hertford even if I had wanted to - and I was able to pay the asking prices.
I know people will rip into Stevenage - but what do I make of it
-It is a bit characterless - all the main roads look exactly the same and it can be hard to orient yourself
-It is quite small with not a huge amount going on socially - the population is only 90,000
-The town centre looks dated
Having said all that - its not BAD bit its not great either.
The actual house I am staying in is not that nice (absolutely freezing and I have t pay for all energy use) - I am hoping it will look up again in the summer so I am either going to leave at the end of my 6 month contract or possibly look to leave earlier.
As an added complication my office may also move to Stevenage in 6 months so it kind of makes sense to stay here.
I have met lots of people at work who live in Herts and being getting mixed messages. There is no point renting in St Albans because a 2 bed house is like 700k. I'd rather feel out an area where I may be able to buy.
My next move will either be to try out Watford or maybe another place in Stevenage.
Longer term though it might not be feasible to stay in this area just due to the house prices. I'd probably be looking to think of a place to buy in around 6-8 months.
On the plus side, Stevenage to Hertford is no more than 30 minutes if leaving around 8.45am.
So I have ended up in Stevenage.
Firstly, when I actually tried contacting people to live, I tried anywhere and everywhere in Herts - I came up against the fact that very few landlords/agents responded - I must have contacted over 30 people and only got 3 viewings- 1 in Hertford, 1 in Hatfield and 1 in Stevenage. I did try other places like St Albans, Watford, Hitchin and Harpenden. The landlords I met basically said as soon as an advert is put up they are inundated with messages. The competition for properties is very intense.
In the end I had to take the place in Stevenage as I was only about 10 days away from starting work. By that point I had driven to Herts 3 times for 3 viewings and getting a bit fed up (plus costing me £40 odd quid in petrol each time and taking 5 or 6 hours of time).
Before people start having a go - i literally couldn't have got a place in St Albans or Hitchin or Hertford even if I had wanted to - and I was able to pay the asking prices.
I know people will rip into Stevenage - but what do I make of it
-It is a bit characterless - all the main roads look exactly the same and it can be hard to orient yourself
-It is quite small with not a huge amount going on socially - the population is only 90,000
-The town centre looks dated
Having said all that - its not BAD bit its not great either.
The actual house I am staying in is not that nice (absolutely freezing and I have t pay for all energy use) - I am hoping it will look up again in the summer so I am either going to leave at the end of my 6 month contract or possibly look to leave earlier.
As an added complication my office may also move to Stevenage in 6 months so it kind of makes sense to stay here.
I have met lots of people at work who live in Herts and being getting mixed messages. There is no point renting in St Albans because a 2 bed house is like 700k. I'd rather feel out an area where I may be able to buy.
My next move will either be to try out Watford or maybe another place in Stevenage.
Longer term though it might not be feasible to stay in this area just due to the house prices. I'd probably be looking to think of a place to buy in around 6-8 months.
On the plus side, Stevenage to Hertford is no more than 30 minutes if leaving around 8.45am.
In the long term it might be worth looking at Beds/Cambs... house prices are so much cheaper than Herts and its still pretty commutable (I live in St Neots and commute down to Radlett, its a straight shot on the A1).
I went from paying £1k a month rent for a 1 bed flat, to £850 a month for a 2 bed, and you can buy a 2/3 bed semi up here for under £300k.
I loved living in Herts, spent a good 10 years in and around St albans, but the house prices really are no joke.
Good luck in Stevenage, its not too bad!
I went from paying £1k a month rent for a 1 bed flat, to £850 a month for a 2 bed, and you can buy a 2/3 bed semi up here for under £300k.
I loved living in Herts, spent a good 10 years in and around St albans, but the house prices really are no joke.
Good luck in Stevenage, its not too bad!
As above it’s definitely worth looking at the Beds side of the Herts border.
I’m in a rural village located 1 mile from the Herts border but 2 miles from Luton parkway station for easy commuting into London, a similar distance from j10 of the m1 but a 10 minute drive from Harpenden.
If my house was a mile or two across the border it would probably be 30% more.
Look at the villages of Caddington, Woodside, Aley Green and Slip End.
I’m in a rural village located 1 mile from the Herts border but 2 miles from Luton parkway station for easy commuting into London, a similar distance from j10 of the m1 but a 10 minute drive from Harpenden.
If my house was a mile or two across the border it would probably be 30% more.
Look at the villages of Caddington, Woodside, Aley Green and Slip End.
Alfa Pete said:
As above it’s definitely worth looking at the Beds side of the Herts border.
I’m in a rural village located 1 mile from the Herts border but 2 miles from Luton parkway station for easy commuting into London, a similar distance from j10 of the m1 but a 10 minute drive from Harpenden.
If my house was a mile or two across the border it would probably be 30% more.
Look at the villages of Caddington, Woodside, Aley Green and Slip End.
Didn’t OP say he wanted nightlife? I don’t think the above are hot beds I’m in a rural village located 1 mile from the Herts border but 2 miles from Luton parkway station for easy commuting into London, a similar distance from j10 of the m1 but a 10 minute drive from Harpenden.
If my house was a mile or two across the border it would probably be 30% more.
Look at the villages of Caddington, Woodside, Aley Green and Slip End.
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