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!

@Shirley1006 see what i mean . Ignored even on this thread!

Welcome to Northamptonshire!

@ElizabethQueeniofEngland3rd - Every summer we take part in a car rally, passing through a whole host of villages. I inevitably croon to my husband, "Those villages are so lovely, can we move some day?" He has always expressed what you have done here, that it would be quite isolating to live so far away from useful bus routes, amenities, established social structure and so forth.
Is it just in Northamptonshire do you think? Or is village life difficult for 'incomers' all over the country?

@rosegoldwatcher the whole kaboosch!

@rosegoldwatcher yr husband is very wise!

Definite NAY. I loved there briefly as a teen and it was a hell hole!!

Omg I actually lived in Dustin then moved to Upton!!!! How weird.. despite the fact we had amazing houses it was a horrid place. I really hated it there.
Have a look at Hampshire. Much nicer

@elizabethqueeni So would anywhere local facebook page. I've lived here for 35 years now and it's still a relatively safe place to bring up my children and grandson. People rally round if there's a problem. We have a good community spirit but also can keep yourself to yourself. Better than alot of places. Nowhere is free from crime

Nowhere is free from crime

Funnily enough we are in a crime free area.

There is only a handful of houses tucked away down a single track road on the edge of London.

It is crime free for 2 reasons

1. There is only a few houses and
2. Nobody knows where we are.

Having said that we did have 2 murders a few years ago.

Or rather one body was dumped down the lane and the other was a wife and bf getting rid of her husband but we haven’t had anything for years.

I actually leave my front door open.

I never lock my front or back door postman just opens the door and throws my parcels inside. Our cars are always open too. We are semi-rural here too but town is only 5 mins away.

I always lock my doors and windows up here. I may live in a rural village but we still have burglaries. In fact we are specifically targeted given the amount of wealth in the village. Plus plant and machinery are also stolen. Also livestock targeted. I never leave my doors and windows unlocked here, even when at home. Too remote. If anything not really sure anyone is even looking out for me or my property.

Lived in London for over 40yrs, windows open all night and not burgled once. Had a near miss 12 yrs ago but elderly neighbour did the business and scared off potential burglar. Called me on my landline to advise.

Guess thats community for you. ( London community that is) .

I moved to one of the villages that's been mentioned from a city. Found it very welcoming and I love it. Secondary schools are a bit hit and miss though.

@MillieMoodle

Do you live in EB?

@LuckySeventhWave nope, further south than that!

Just been outside to turn off and drain outside tap for winter, to prevent freezing. Next door neighbours came out at very same time.. neighbours who have ancestors here since 1740 ..

I saw them , clearly... even without my glasses.. There was street light and i saw them. I saw the whites of their eyes, they were real living people. I said hello and waved enthusiastically.. they looked over but no reply.

I know its dark but there is a street lamp above my head.... I'm illuminated. They saw me..they live next door... their family have lived here for over 300 yrs in the very same house.. They ignored me!'

Can you see me neighbours? I'm from London, i have lived in this hse for 8 yrs. Can you see me?

God this county is awful!

Hello, we are considering buying a house in Duston. Would you recommend Timken Way North? Any recommendations on primary schools and nurseries?

I am reading this and chuckling. My mother was from a village in South Northants, we later moved to a market town. I got out and do not want to go back, not even for an ironstone cottage in Lamport. I'd probably do quite well, ancestors are all around the Brampton's previously mentioned, but It's not where I want to be. I like Cambridge, it's more cosmopolitan and has a weirdly high educational level.

When I was working for some universities there was some economics stuff about the impact of the lack of a university on a town or city. Northampton suffers that I think, even if it has an HEI now. It's less knowledge economy based than even Milton Keynes or Bedford. The rural/town divide is still quite pronounced, but that can be isolating if you end up in the wrong place.