I'm considering moving to Northampton; yay or nay?

[Shirley1006]

Hi,
With house prices soaring in London, my husband and I are considering making a move to Northampton. I have a lovely 22 month year old who will need a good environment to grow up in as well as access to a good school, and activities.

So far I've been looking in the Upton and Duston area, but I have no idea if these are good areas or not.

Any advice from those who have made the move or live in Northampton, any history to share, or anyone with current information about Northampton i.e. good areas, areas to avoid, that would help a family considering a move would be most welcome!

Peterborough does have some grotty bits but it also has some lovely bits. I have recently started work there and have been pleasantly surprised at how much it has improved since I last worked there 20 years ago. The cathedral area is gorgeous, there are now lots of wine bars, cafes etc and quite a lot going on. Plus easy access to countryside. Several of my work colleagues live in Peterborough and love it. Depending on where you are there are some good schools.

Northampton is part of the Nene Valley. The ancient river Nene meanders through the town, with developed parklands and recreation and marinas along the riverside.

As a student town there’s a Cultural Quarter with theatre, national tour venue, independent cinema, plenty of quirky independant shops and markets, unusual restaurants and champagne bars, a huge central park with cafe, lakes, museum, playgrounds, many grand historic buildings in the town centre.

It’s the place where outlying towns and villages will head to for a night out eating or entertainment, or for shopping.

It also has grotty old 80s housing estates and spaghetti style transport roads, much like anywhere else.

Thinking back to my baby days, the number of Boden wearing Bugaboo pushchair walkers around town suggests to me the town is less chav and more under-rated.

You’ll only know by visiting.
Or consider Wellingborough. Good schools including a public, more green areas, even cheaper housing, hour to London direct commute, good cultural events, but poor shopping, unless you count Rushden Lakes.

Last time I was in the town centre DS pointed out that 1 in 3 people looked like a serial killer.

I would suggest looking elsewhere.

Thanks everyone for your comments! I appreciate you sharing the realness of your individual situations.
I think the general consensus so far is that the local authority doesn’t have a lot of resources/ money, thus the town centre is not very nice.The villages In Northamptonshire are a nice place to live with a number of good schools nearby.

Not all bad, some people like Northampton and are happy they made to the move.

London is way to expensive for what me and my family want so staying is not an option at this time. Given I come from London, being in a city/town close to local amenities is important to me; so I may have to give the village life a miss. Not to say it’s not lovely in those places; it’s just not for me.

@Absa My husband and I will initially be commuting to London for work until we find jobs close to where we live.

There are so many nicer towns within commuter distance to London.

Whats your budget? maybe people will be able to suggest areas .....and are you sure you will be able to get local jobs equivalent?
some firneds have moved out and its been ok some have had ended up cpmmuting as not able to get work locally.... and commuting has just got dearer and dearer....

Can you afford Cambridge house prices? So much nicer than Northampton and easily commutable. I really don't think the town of Northampton has much to recommend it, to be honest.

I wanted to be within an at least an 1.30hrs drive from London, given that our family and friends live there and we’ll be making that journey a lot. Our budget £375k

Re: jobs. I’ve checked jobs are available, but they’re are not as well paid as London.

@rosegoldwatcher @pinkkoala also live in east hunsbury. Talk about a small world!

Great area, great schools and cheap compared to London.

OP - do you like this house? www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-72458419.html

@StayClassySally @pinkkoala - do you ever frequent Grangewood Residents' Club?

I have lived in Herts, beds and Cambs and there are so many places that would be described as a shit hole. When you live there though it’s really not that bad. If I were you I’d be researching schools and choosing a place to live based on that.

@rosegol
Thank you. The house is beautiful and From the pictures, this seems like what I’m looking for.

I’m confused, I was previously told (not in this forum) that Hunsbury was not a good area 🙈

My family have been very happy here.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-73900393.html

This one is amazing for only a snippet more. There are some amazing houses in the area.

I'm more of a Collingtree girl the Wootton social club. Quite identifying but you may see me walking a big fluffy black Akita

Ps east hunsbury has had a spate of burglaries in some areas close to the rougher areas but my DP regularly leaves his car unlocked and we've never had any signs of trouble.

I think one of the hunsbury areas is not as good. Is it hunsbury meadows? Or hunsbury hill?

I live in Duston and it's lovely. I can thoroughly recommend it. Upton not so as it's a bit rough now. Please ask if anything you want to know.

Forgot to say that Duston is the most sought after area of the town (with Kingsthorpe) and there are 6 primary schools in Duston and all are excellent.

@RuthW can you recommend any good nurseries and/ or primary schools in the Duston area?

@rosegoldwatcher please can you recommend any schools/ nurseries in the East Hunsbury area?

@SoyDora please can you name the other nicer towns you suggested in your previous post?

All of the 6 primary schools are excellent. Not so sure about nurseries but Tudor House has an outstanding ofsted.

@Shirley1006 - My children, many years ago, went to the Abbey Centre pre-school and Simon De Senlis Primary school - they loved both! The school has since introduced a pre-school.
Link here, to that one and side bar to others in the area - www3.northamptonshire.gov.uk/councilservices/children-families-education/service-finder/pre-school-playgroup/425-simon-de-senlis-pre-school
You might need a wrap around care day nursery - Bright Horizons Wooldale is based in Wootton Fields which is 3 easy miles away. I have no personal experience of this one but, according to its website, is Ofsted Outstanding and Mumsnet Rated! www.brighthorizons.co.uk/our-nurseries/wooldale-nursery-and-preschool?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIy7eFvM7S5QIVlvhRCh1JLQjtEAAYASAAEgL6A_D_BwE

If you are considering spending that sort of money wouldn’t you be better moving to Home Counties/outer reaches of London areas.

You would get similar type houses that are more convenient to your work and don’t come with a mega commute and a huge price tag on travel.

East hunsbury primary and Simon de senlis are great schools.

Nurseries are a little spaced out but there are lots of great childminders. The one I use is used by a lot of people and also owns two nurseries in the area. I think one in Duston and one on the local industrial estate.

It sounds like the OP wants to have a fresh start elsewhere and the commute would only be temporary until jobs are found in Northampton.

Tbf, OP, you could get a 3-bed house in London in a safe area with lots of families and amenities and good schools for 375k.