Where to live commutable to North London and Cambridge?

[sophiebecky]

Looking for somewhere that is commutable to both North London and Cambridge.
Budget of 500k. Need a house rather than a flat.
Looking for an area with a good selection of restaurants nearby and greenery/nice walks.

@thereinmadnesslies

Bishops Stortford used to be lovely but it’s been overdeveloped and it’s grim now.

Tell me where around Hertfordshire hasn’t been!

Bishops Stortford really isn’t one to avoid OP. It has excellent schools, excellent transport links to London and Cambridge and good shops and decent restaurants.

Newport in Essex. Pretty village, railway station. Good amenities.

I also think Bishop's Stortford is well worth considering -- it's still affordable, ( plenty of housing due to aforesaid developments,) truly excellent schools as I said, good transport links to both London and Cambridge and lots of good pubs in surrounding villages with reasonable restaurants and cafés in town.
Shopping is ok too. Large M and S, Sainsbury's and Waitrose in town. Large Tesco on outskirts, butchers and local bakers (Dorringtons - small but excellent local chain) in town centre.
I used to live in a village just outside, moved away a year ago so I doubt it has changed much!