Discussion
motco said:
andrew said:
motco said:
jimmytheone said:
MK also has lots of lovely roundabouts 
Thanks to the local-only signs and the unique road names, there's no way out. I have never seen the huge wobbly beach ball that chases people that try to leave...
Zippee said:
motco said:
andrew said:
motco said:
jimmytheone said:
MK also has lots of lovely roundabouts
Thanks to the local-only signs and the unique road names, there's no way out. I have never seen the huge wobbly beach ball that chases people that try to leave...I live in Watford and regularly, begrudgingly, have to venture into Luton.
Truth be told, if you keep your head down, Luton is fine for a short while. Would I want to live there? Not really. I'm also part of a small community and the amount of youngsters that simply don't give a s
t is amazing. We try very hard to steer them away from the life they live but some are too far gone. Some areas of Luton are nice, though they are away from the centre.
Watford isn't amazing and has its sthole areas but nothing really compared to Luton. Plenty of flats being built here now with money being spent.
At least Luton isn't Bradford, so there is that.
Truth be told, if you keep your head down, Luton is fine for a short while. Would I want to live there? Not really. I'm also part of a small community and the amount of youngsters that simply don't give a s
t is amazing. We try very hard to steer them away from the life they live but some are too far gone. Some areas of Luton are nice, though they are away from the centre.Watford isn't amazing and has its s
thole areas but nothing really compared to Luton. Plenty of flats being built here now with money being spent.At least Luton isn't Bradford, so there is that.
Bit late to the party but...
I'm also a Watford resident but I wasn't born here so don't have the hate for Luton that is bred into Watfordians from birth.
OP, did you eventually move to Luton? If so, how have you found it?
I lived there in 1994 and I expect too much has changed for my experiences to be relevant anymore.
Last year I did get lost while driving through Luton and found a rather nice bit. The managers at the airport and Vauxhall must have had to live somewhere after all. I wouldn't be able to find it again if I tried.
If you have to work in Hertford why not live in Hertford? It's always looked quite pleasant when I've been through it.
Alternatively, if you're prepared to drive, how about Chelmsford?
I'm also a Watford resident but I wasn't born here so don't have the hate for Luton that is bred into Watfordians from birth.
OP, did you eventually move to Luton? If so, how have you found it?
I lived there in 1994 and I expect too much has changed for my experiences to be relevant anymore.
Last year I did get lost while driving through Luton and found a rather nice bit. The managers at the airport and Vauxhall must have had to live somewhere after all. I wouldn't be able to find it again if I tried.
If you have to work in Hertford why not live in Hertford? It's always looked quite pleasant when I've been through it.
Alternatively, if you're prepared to drive, how about Chelmsford?
Our offices is moving out of Hertford soon. Hertford is also too expensive.
I actually stayed in Luton last week as a 1 nighter just to see (I had to be up in Herts for work).
I found it a billy hilly and very much felt inner city. I went to the Farley Hill (staying) and Bury Park (eating) areas
I would ideally like to live somewhere where the houses are not as cramped together - i.e subburbs - so need to look further out.
My next target area to stay will be Watford most likely.
.
I actually stayed in Luton last week as a 1 nighter just to see (I had to be up in Herts for work).
I found it a billy hilly and very much felt inner city. I went to the Farley Hill (staying) and Bury Park (eating) areas
I would ideally like to live somewhere where the houses are not as cramped together - i.e subburbs - so need to look further out.
My next target area to stay will be Watford most likely.
.
I don't know where in Watford would suit you.
The nicest part is Cassiobury but it's expensive and probably the wrong side of the town for you.
Nascot is old Watford and is a bit more crowded.
The Reeds and Norbury Avenue are more suitable. They have their issues with lots of renters and dubious management companies maintaining the estates.
Tudor is a large area of 30s semis. It'll have the space you are looking for but is a bit of a trek to the town centre.
North Watford and Callowland is rows of terraced houses.
You won't see many Christmas trees in West Watford.
There's always Bushey. I'm not sure what the point of Bushey is as there's not a lot there but it's considered "nicer" than Watford.
Given the choice I'd live in St Albans but I expect its expensive.
Croxley and Rickmansworth have their own identities. You'd be closer to Junction 18 of the M25 as well rather having to go to Junction 21.
The nicest part is Cassiobury but it's expensive and probably the wrong side of the town for you.
Nascot is old Watford and is a bit more crowded.
The Reeds and Norbury Avenue are more suitable. They have their issues with lots of renters and dubious management companies maintaining the estates.
Tudor is a large area of 30s semis. It'll have the space you are looking for but is a bit of a trek to the town centre.
North Watford and Callowland is rows of terraced houses.
You won't see many Christmas trees in West Watford.
There's always Bushey. I'm not sure what the point of Bushey is as there's not a lot there but it's considered "nicer" than Watford.
Given the choice I'd live in St Albans but I expect its expensive.
Croxley and Rickmansworth have their own identities. You'd be closer to Junction 18 of the M25 as well rather having to go to Junction 21.
I've lived in Luton for ~20 years, initially because we could afford property here and couldn't in St. Albans where I grew up.
I agree that the town center doesn't have much to offer, but get further out and there are nice areas, eg Stopsley and Wigmore.
We moved ~10 years ago to a quiet cul-de-sac in a 70's estate, and (partly through Covid lock-downs) made the effort to talk to the neighbors - which resulted in a good community and many good friends.
We have no plans to move, happy where we are.
I agree that the town center doesn't have much to offer, but get further out and there are nice areas, eg Stopsley and Wigmore.
We moved ~10 years ago to a quiet cul-de-sac in a 70's estate, and (partly through Covid lock-downs) made the effort to talk to the neighbors - which resulted in a good community and many good friends.
We have no plans to move, happy where we are.
aland75 said:
I've lived in Luton for ~20 years, initially because we could afford property here and couldn't in St. Albans where I grew up.
I agree that the town center doesn't have much to offer, but get further out and there are nice areas, eg Stopsley and Wigmore.
We moved ~10 years ago to a quiet cul-de-sac in a 70's estate, and (partly through Covid lock-downs) made the effort to talk to the neighbors - which resulted in a good community and many good friends.
We have no plans to move, happy where we are.
I agree that the town center doesn't have much to offer, but get further out and there are nice areas, eg Stopsley and Wigmore.
We moved ~10 years ago to a quiet cul-de-sac in a 70's estate, and (partly through Covid lock-downs) made the effort to talk to the neighbors - which resulted in a good community and many good friends.
We have no plans to move, happy where we are.
Stopsley and Wigmore are not too bad, and not much closer to the town Center than they are to Hitchin
and31 said:
aland75 said:
I've lived in Luton for ~20 years, initially because we could afford property here and couldn't in St. Albans where I grew up.
I agree that the town center doesn't have much to offer, but get further out and there are nice areas, eg Stopsley and Wigmore.
We moved ~10 years ago to a quiet cul-de-sac in a 70's estate, and (partly through Covid lock-downs) made the effort to talk to the neighbors - which resulted in a good community and many good friends.
We have no plans to move, happy where we are.
I agree that the town center doesn't have much to offer, but get further out and there are nice areas, eg Stopsley and Wigmore.
We moved ~10 years ago to a quiet cul-de-sac in a 70's estate, and (partly through Covid lock-downs) made the effort to talk to the neighbors - which resulted in a good community and many good friends.
We have no plans to move, happy where we are.
Stopsley and Wigmore are not too bad, and not much closer to the town Center than they are to Hitchin
CoupeKid said:
I don't know where in Watford would suit you.
The nicest part is Cassiobury but it's expensive and probably the wrong side of the town for you.
Nascot is old Watford and is a bit more crowded.
The Reeds and Norbury Avenue are more suitable. They have their issues with lots of renters and dubious management companies maintaining the estates.
Tudor is a large area of 30s semis. It'll have the space you are looking for but is a bit of a trek to the town centre.
North Watford and Callowland is rows of terraced houses.
You won't see many Christmas trees in West Watford.
There's always Bushey. I'm not sure what the point of Bushey is as there's not a lot there but it's considered "nicer" than Watford.
Given the choice I'd live in St Albans but I expect its expensive.
Croxley and Rickmansworth have their own identities. You'd be closer to Junction 18 of the M25 as well rather having to go to Junction 21.
Thats why Tring is the answer.....The nicest part is Cassiobury but it's expensive and probably the wrong side of the town for you.
Nascot is old Watford and is a bit more crowded.
The Reeds and Norbury Avenue are more suitable. They have their issues with lots of renters and dubious management companies maintaining the estates.
Tudor is a large area of 30s semis. It'll have the space you are looking for but is a bit of a trek to the town centre.
North Watford and Callowland is rows of terraced houses.
You won't see many Christmas trees in West Watford.
There's always Bushey. I'm not sure what the point of Bushey is as there's not a lot there but it's considered "nicer" than Watford.
Given the choice I'd live in St Albans but I expect its expensive.
Croxley and Rickmansworth have their own identities. You'd be closer to Junction 18 of the M25 as well rather having to go to Junction 21.
If you're in Stevenage then Hitchin would be the best bet. Lots of pubs, easy commute to Stevenage and trains to London.
Welwyn Garden City probably cheaper and trains to London, taxi to St.Albans etc.
St.Albans and Harpenden are expensive
Villages (Welwyn, Codicote, Knebworth, Kimpton) alternative but quiet.
Welwyn Garden City probably cheaper and trains to London, taxi to St.Albans etc.
St.Albans and Harpenden are expensive
Villages (Welwyn, Codicote, Knebworth, Kimpton) alternative but quiet.
Monkeylegend said:
markiii said:
Stevenage is better than Luton, but only in the sense the clap is better than AIDS
Leaving your car in a car park is safer there as well.https://www.stevenage.gov.uk/news-and-events/news/...
g7jhp said:
If you're in Stevenage then Hitchin would be the best bet. Lots of pubs, easy commute to Stevenage and trains to London.
Welwyn Garden City probably cheaper and trains to London, taxi to St.Albans etc.
St.Albans and Harpenden are expensive
Villages (Welwyn, Codicote, Knebworth, Kimpton) alternative but quiet.
Having met multiple people from Welwyn and Hitchin the problem is that you need to travel out for a lot of social activity - also more expensive.Welwyn Garden City probably cheaper and trains to London, taxi to St.Albans etc.
St.Albans and Harpenden are expensive
Villages (Welwyn, Codicote, Knebworth, Kimpton) alternative but quiet.
Mojooo said:
Having met multiple people from Welwyn and Hitchin the problem is that you need to travel out for a lot of social activity - also more expensive.
From the social perspective that's true for Welwyn Garden City but not really the case for Hitchin, it's got quite a vibrant centre.g7jhp said:
If you're in Stevenage then Hitchin would be the best bet. Lots of pubs, easy commute to Stevenage and trains to London.
Welwyn Garden City probably cheaper and trains to London, taxi to St.Albans etc.
St.Albans and Harpenden are expensive
Villages (Welwyn, Codicote, Knebworth, Kimpton) alternative but quiet.
Codicote is a nightmare now. I think there are 3 housing developments being built around and in the village at the moment. Traffic was bad enough a few years ago, it'll be chaos once the building work has finished.Welwyn Garden City probably cheaper and trains to London, taxi to St.Albans etc.
St.Albans and Harpenden are expensive
Villages (Welwyn, Codicote, Knebworth, Kimpton) alternative but quiet.
Knebworth has a number of shops and eateries, probably not enough for the OPs requirements.
Welwyn village is very nice, albeit high on traffic. Some terrific pubs though.
Kimpton (where I'm originally from) is very community orientated with one (below average) pub in the centre of the village. Other than that, it's quiet.
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