Rickmansworth or Chorleywood - which one to move to??

[Simpsonab]

Hi there,

We are thinking of moving out of Wimbledon to Herts and were considering both Rickmansworth and Chorleywood but don't really know the area that well so we are after any advice you can give on these areas please. We are also considering Berkhamsted and Amersham but not a lot or property seems to be coming on the area hence making the search area slightly larger. We have a little boy whose 13 months old (May) so we are looking for a nice community with good schools and generally a little quieter than the hustle and bustle that Wimbledon has with the thousands of people who live in and around it. Basically I am asking your advice on living in these areas and what you would recommend if you could live in any of these areas please!!

We would really appreciate any input you can give to us as we really are stumped as to where is best for us to move to.

Thank you very much.
A

[moonbells]

Disclaimer: I don't live in any of the places but do live and work in the area. I'm sure someone who does live there will be along in a mo, but...

Ricky: nice little town. Mostly residential, has a lot of coffee shops and restaurants, the best artisan bakery for miles, has Met and Chiltern line links to London, schools seems pretty good. There is a well-organised breakfast and after school club which works across several primary schools and also runs a holiday scheme. It's in the middle of a very large cluster of independent schools too, both co-ed and single-sex and for secondary state schools, there's a large Catholic secondary, St Clement Danes up at Chorleywood (lots of buses!) and Harefield Academy.
It has a large Waitrose, a M&S Simply Food and a medium-sized Tesco. It's got canals, the Aquadrome, lots of little shops and a very annoying one-way system. Bit spread out.

Chorleywood: Also lovely, has the railway lines running through it too. Rather hillier than Ricky, is much smaller/compact and only has a few small shops. Does have several state primaries, and catchment for similar secondaries as Ricky. Pricier.

Amersham: has two sections. Old Amersham very old, has boutique shops and a monster Tesco. Amersham on the Hill has the station and a lot of standard high street shops such as Boots and Halfords and Starbucks etc. Sort of half-way between Chorleywood and Ricky really. Built in and around open country and woods, it's got a more country feel and has some extremely good state schools (Elangeni, Dr Challoners Grammar) and also several local indies (Beacon, Heatherton House are nearest)

good luck!

[Winceywoo]

I know all of those areas well. All of these towns are lovely. Amersham is in Bucks which still operates the 11 plus system which makes the area very popular. Obv the 11 plus may not be around when your little one is older! If you are thinking of private education then you could base your choice purely on your favourite house. But if you will be in the state sector I personally would be led by schools. SW Herts has some fab state secondaries. You may want to do a bit of research around Amersham as HS2 rail link may affect the area.
Of all the areas you have mentioned, Chorleywood is my favourite. Three good primaries, excellent state secondary (St Clement Danes) and lovely countryside. Good luck.

[Simpsonab]

Thank you both for your time and words, we're off to view four houses in Rickmansworth tomorrow...!!

Have a great weekend and any other information that anyone else can share would be most welcome.

[Simpsonab]

[pooka]

Oh I love rickmansworth.

So many happy happy memories. My grandmother lived in a v. house in Church Street near the church for 60 years. Loved the bury, the aquadrome and the canal.

[pooka]

Saying that, had lots of family friends who lived in chorleywood on the common. Very pretty. Never got the sense of as much of a community as rickmansworth.

I miss the family get-togethers in Ricky. :(

[pooka]

V old house in church street.

[OliviaMMumsnet]

Hello
Hertfordshire is lovely and is MN site of the week - more info
[[http://www.mumsnet.com/mnlocal/hertfordshire-site-of-the-week
here]]

[Hya]

Hi everyone, I am also looking to move to Chorleywood or surrounding areas. I am new to the area, looking for a 2 bedroom cottage type house in a quiet road. If you know of anyone looking to sell their house, I would appreciate a heads up. I have just spent months buying a property and only found out towards the end of the conveyancing process that there are major issues I will have to deal with when I buy the property. Also, if you can advise me on areas that are close to Chorleywood and green that would be very helpful.

Thank you very much.😏