Moving near to Stevenage. Hitchin, Baldock , Letchworth, maybe even Biggleswade…

[redgirl1]

Hello wise mums of MN,
We are in need of some good advice. DH has new job in Stevenage. Our house is about to go on the market and we need to move… somewhere.
Hitchin is probably out of our price range unless we down size , so what does everyone think of Baldock, Letchworth and villages around. I need to find a year 6 and year place for the DC and secondary school is fast approaching. So any advice on schools is very gratefully appreciated.
DH thinks we ought to consider Biggleswade for the cheaper housing too. There is not a lot on the market at the mo. We don’t need to be near a station for work.
We don’t know this area at all and we don’t want to make a bad choice!

As someone else said, there’s loads of new development in Shefford, Stondon, Clifton (which is right next door to Shefford but nicer). Also lots of development in Ampthill so you might get a good deal.

We are on Fairfield. I like its access to Hitchin, Letchworth, Cambridge , the A1 and the A507. But you would need to take living here with a little pinch of salt- it can be a bit Stepford wives!
As long as you have a life outside of here it is all good.
It feels very safe, kids play out and there is a sense of community, but you do have to drive to do 'stuff'.
I do like Hitchin but you do get less for your money than, for example, in Letchworth. Baldock has a great high street for coffee shops, a butcher, a baker and pubs.

@redgirl1

I like new builds but not when it’s the only thing in a town, there can be too many IMO.

Most of the villages in North Herts and the eastern half of Beds have been around since early medieval times, some of them for much longer than that. Mostly due to the proximity to the ancient Great North Road (now the A1) and the Icknield Way, both of which predate the Romans.

To be honest, anywhere you go that's even remotely within the London commute is going to have a lot of new builds.

@barskits I do know that these villages usually already exist it’s just when the build estates go up so quick and take over the place I’m not a fan. There are a few places round here that just seem odd, no life, no character. Though I’m sure some are done better than others, I’m no expert!
I certainly wouldn’t rule out a new build out though. They often look like a really good space for your money.

Arlesey all the way for me.

£575k would get you smaller three beds in Hitchin and Baldock and a decent size 4 bed detached in some areas of Stotfold. So depends what your priorities are. The schools in Hitchin, Baldock, Letchworth and Stotfold are all pretty good. But if you want train links Stotfold doesn't have one, but is situated really well for roads to Stevenage and Cambridge and MK.

Further away, but near Much Hadham has St Andrew’s Primary. Then Bishops Stortford for excellent secondaries.
New houses being built nearby.

To be honest if I had your budget I'd be looking at Hitchin and Hitchin only, even if it meant a smaller house. The schools are all good and the town has a great vibe, also a really nice community feel. Baldock a close second, but Hitchin is THE place to live around here (if you can afford it). Stevenage Old Town is really pretty, but I wouldn't want to send my kids to school in Stevenage.

Have you considered potton? Small market town, nice market square, interesting housing stock. New builds have gone up recently but planning has been refused twice now for another estate as is would be building outside of town plan.
Will be fully two tier with access to secondaries in Sandy, Bassingbourn and Comberton.

Have a look at Potton, small market town between Biggleswade & Sandy both train stations a quick drive away as is the A1

Also St Neots, Great Barford and possibly even Gamlingay

Cross posted with @Arriettyborrower - great minds think alike!

Slightly random question, but triggered by the geography. Are you (one or both) in biotech and hence moving from Oxford to Stevenage? If you are, I would suggest moving to the 'towards Cambridge' side of Stevenage which would be useful when the next job hunt comes around. Even if it's 10 years away!

@NotRainingToday yes you are right and that is exactly what we were thinking. I’m going to stick to my 2 days on site in Oxford for now. At least I can work from home the other 2. But I will be keeping an eye on uni jobs in Cambridge and DH had already said the next job for him (biotech) likely to be in Cambridge.
I also have family/cousins near Huntingdon so I’m happy to be a bit closer to them.

Ah, your DH and my DS may end up crossing paths then if I've got the right impression!

I don't know the area well personally, but DS is renting in Hertford and really likes the town. Hasn't had much of an opportunity to explore elsewhere yet because of Covid.

We moved from east Herts to Shefford. Shefford and surrounding villages do have a lot of new houses - but the town centre in Shefford is lovely for a Saturday breakfast etc. We do drive to Letchworth for the trains. Arlesley is bad at the moment. Very unreliable.

We wanted Letchworth. But just couldn't find anything. Baldock is also gorgeous. Also Ashwell.

Forgot to add schools in Shefford are very good.

Hertford is nice with excellent schools

Out of interest, what are the good secondary schools around these areas? And are they “actually” good, or just good on paper?
Thinking of moving here as well, but at the age when future secondary options have to be considered too.

Herts is a bit crap to travel East to West frankly, but better for North to South.
If you are looking towards Cambridge in future somewhere along the A10/M11 corridors could be a good option if you are willing to put up with the East West routes in the meantime.

Might be worth keeping an eye out for Henlow village. Bags of character, walking distance to Arlesey station and schools have already moved to primary/secondary

Is your DH in a function where he will be on site full time? I’m in a village the other side of Ware and will be doing the commute 2 days a week. I wouldn’t fancy it every day though.

@cereallover

Dont move near old hale way in hitchin. A paedophile lives there.

@cereallover Would you please DM how you know this as I live there.

@Teenytinyvoice yes DH will go in 5 days a week and we need a short enough distance for him to manage school run on the days I work and for him to get to work not long afterwards. Eldest daughter in yr 6 but youngest in yr3. So school run for a while longer. We want eldest to be able to get herself to secondary school and back next year.

@Cuck00soup I know, the commute is going to be hideous! I’m hoping to only go in once a week sometimes but it will certainly be twice a week most of the time.

Letchworth although pretty is boring and depressing to live in. Soulless.