Luton...

[Mojooo]

I can already feel the love for Luton coming....

I am in Stevenage at the moment until the end of the month. It is a bit quiet here so I am thinking of trying out Luton (even possibly just for a month in an AirBnB/serviced apartment).

My general reasoning is that Stevenage has a population of about 90,000 and is dead. Luton and surrounding areas is closer to 280,000 so it must have a bit more going on facilities wise (not necessarily just pubs/restaurants/theatres) but just activities like sports venues etc


Is a large part affected by airport noise?

[Mojooo]

Dblue said:

Not sure what extra facilities you'd find in Luton. Stevenage has pretty much all you'd want in terms of retail and leisure - Several retail parks a leisure park, mainline station (East coast mainline) 50m Swimming centre, even a recently promoted pro football club.
Its got a big hospital and no massive muslim ghetto , unlike Luton.
Its hardly the last word in charm but the old town is lively and Hitchin and Letchworth a couple of miles away.

I just find Stevenage a bit lacking - was wondering if Luton was a bit livelier - I can live with a BIT of extra crappiness but not too much - dig difference in living costs as well.

[Mojooo]

Bri957 said:

Hitchin.

End of thread.

I've been to Hitchin a few times.

Although its nicer than Stevenage I don't think it would fulfil what is missing for me.

[Mojooo]

Possibility my job may be moving to Stevenage within 6 months. I haven't written off Stevenage totally.

I am only going in one or two times a week so am prepared to travel up to 45 mins

TBH the journey form Stevenage to Hertford was always easy and about 25mins max.

I am veering towards trying Watford next but I may do a few weeks in Luton for the hell of it.

[Mojooo]

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.
.

[Mojooo]

I've moved back out of Hertfordshire area for the time being as I can commute in from a distance - looking to go to Watford or Stevenage for a rental in due course but unsure where longer term if I want to buy.

[Mojooo]

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.