Can anyone give me the lowdown on St Albans please?

[Gem13]

Pondering on a possible move there. Various places under consideration (Godalming was last month's location).

We have a 2.5 and 1 year old so preschools, primaries, toddler groups and things to do with small children in tow are important.

I've been looking at primelocation and rightmove and seen some lovely houses around Clarence Park (want walking distance to town) - good area to start? Any places to avoid? Any 'hot' primary catchment areas I should be aware of (DS starts Sept. '06)?

TIA

[Gem13]

Will ask again for the Monday morning mumsnetters!

[flashingnose]

Can't help you - sorry - but keep bumping this as there are lots of Herts MNetters.

[sparklymieow]

No idea about houses in St albans, but I live in WGC, two towns away from St albans, St albans is a lovely area, and Clarence Park is good for the kids to run around in,
Sorry can't be more help

[SecondhandRose]

St Albans is very expensive you don't get much for your money house wise. Lovely town, great shops, good schools. Traffic is hell especially on a Saturday. Lots of posh shops there so you know it's a good quality town.

[jenkel]

Wanted to second what secondhandrose said, traffic is hell and I avoid going into St Albans just because of that, but does have good shops. I used to live in one of the surrounding villages, but have gradually moved further north east.

[anorak]

Hi Gem, I live in Bricket Wood which is 4 miles outside St A. The schools in the St Albans area are fantastic, always amongst the top schools in the country, we are spoilt for choice with schools. There are lots of nurseries too. Houses are expensive in St A but cheaper out here in the villages. Yes, the traffic can be a problem but I used to live in London and so I don't get upset about it, even on a bad day it's worlds apart from that kind of traffic.

St Albans and it's surrounding villages is a wonderful area to live in, with beautiful parks, lovely scenery and walks, fantastic restaurants and pubs, good shops, a low crime rate, full employment. Highly recommend it.

Our local meet-ups are terrific too!

[Gem13]

Thanks all. I've only been there a couple of times to visit relatives and remember the traffic being bad - that's one of the reasons I'd want to be within walking distance.

Anyone else from St Albans?

[SecondhandRose]

Gem, where are you now?

[misdee]

st albans is lovely and very sought after. i'm in wgc tho.

[Gem13]

Secondhandrose - east of Brighton. It's very pricey here too but good shops, schools, history and great countryside.

One of DH's possible offices is near Heathrow so St Albans is about as far into Herts we'd want to go.

We're out in the country at the moment and I'm fed up of trailing the children in and out of the car so I thought we'd try living in a town.

[sozie]

My brother and his wife live in the centre of SA and love it. My brother is a teacher at Verrulum Boys (sorry spelling may be off}. There always seems so much to do in SA and I love visiting the place. Schools there do seem excellent, lovely shops, great parks, pubs and restaurants. Appalling traffic for school run I've been told. As sil just had her 1st child don't know much yet re mothers and toddlers etc.

[alibubbles]

I have lived in StAlbans for 22 years, DD and DS both born here, been to state and private schools in the city.

I love it, the traffic isn't too bad anymore, just go the opposite direction in which you want to trave and it is faster, seriously!

Have been doing the school run for 16 years, total round trip of 20 miles!

We have fantastic shops, Hobbs, Storage, the first 'Benefit' store in Europe, The White Company, Villeroy and Boche, a great farmers market, usual twice a week market as well.

I am good on house prices, schools, areas etc, we have three flats in the city, and DH shows lettings for a friends' letting agency when they are overwhelmed with business, which is most weekends!

One bed flats start at £175 - £200K

Fantastic rali into London, I was in and outin three hours for my appt at UCL hospital on Monday. including being hthere 1.5 hours. - Yes, I am going back in for another op on my kidney on Monday

I love St Albans!

[Gem13]

Thanks alibubbles. Good luck for Monday.

We are after a 4 bed Edwardian/Victorian house. I've seen some in Brampton Road and had recomendations for Maple and Fleetville schools. Any others I should be looking out for?

[alibubbles]

Gem13, there are no "bad" schools in St Albans, only the best and the very best!

All the schools are oversubscribed and are very strict on sibling and catchment, sometimes they have spaces at times other than the usual intake time. There are enouugh places for all children, but it might not be a parent's first choice.

Attending the attached nursery doesn't get you a place either!

I can send you a property review if you like, CAt or email me

[Gem13]

Alibubbles - thanks for the offer. Can I take you up on that if our plans progress?