Born and raised there, grew up in Far Cotton, then Obelisk Rise, then Blackthorn. Was a different town then though, even 20 years ago. I always say to people that Northampton is a shithole, but it's my shithole.
It wasn't awful growing up here, but then I didn't know anything different. The town centre is largely pound shops, betting shops and Eastern European food shops now. Its dying off due to the out of town shopping areas, which is a shame.
When your children are old enough to go out, theres normally 4 full police Van's parked up in preparation around All Saints Church if that gives you any indication of what the night life is like there.
It sounds awfully snobby to rule out certain areas, but I'd guess coming up from London you've probably got a decent budget, so West Hunsbury and Collingtree were always considered good areas. Upton, I like the houses, nearly bought a flat there myself, but it's opposite the football ground, so every other Saturday expect the area to get pretty crowded and people parking anywhere they can to avoid paying at the official car parks, especially as one of those has now, or soon will be closed.
I work in Milton Keynes, but I really don't like it there in general, although I just don't get on with large towns in general anymore.
Wellingborough has a new development being built with almost direct access to the Train Station if you're thinking of commuting called Stanton Cross. However, Wellingborough as a town is often regarded as worse than Northampton itself.
I haven't lived there, but Market Harborough always looks like a nice place driving through it, with a railway running to Kings Cross, the same line as Kettering and Wellingborough.
I moved out to a nice village in East Northants, because I couldn't afford anywhere I would like to live in the town itself, or the villages around the town. I go to the centre very rarely now because it's always such a shame to do so, to see what the town I grew up in is becoming.