Luton as an area to move to?

[WoburnSands]

Just weighing up different relocation options...any one got any recommendations as to what kind of a place Luton would to be like to live?

My Dad was once warned off going into a pub in Luton as a guy who worked there said it was rough, had a long at my Dad, and obviously decided he didn't think my Dad would handle it - "I wouldn't go in there, mate"! (or words to that effect) How rude!! But that's just one isolated story..what are the house prices and general areas like?

Luton, Dunstable, Stevenage, Hemel all horrible.

Look at Milton Keynes, Aylesbury, Leighton Buzzard, or surrounding villages.

I spent 3 years living in Luton and am there one day every other week for work.

Yes, it is rather depressing and run down in places, and is not somewhere I'd choose to live again, BUT it is a very friendly town. I am regularly in London and towns and cities across the east of England and can honestly say that Luton has the friendliest town centre. People chat to strangers in lifts, queues, cafes etc. When I lived there our DC were very young and I never had to open a door or struggle down steps by myself. We moved to a very naice town next and people were no where near as friendly or helpful.

I'm also yet to see any racial tensions. People just rub along nicely.

There are run down areas, and areas where I wouldn't want to live with DC. High Town, Marsh Farm, Hart Hill etc, although I'm happy to walk around any of them (and do).

So not somewhere I'd choose to move back to, but not Mordor

I've heard that Stevenage isn't great Sootica - but it's good to know that it's thought of as a 'better bet' to Luton.

Milton Keynes has no heart or soul imo. Agree Letchworth is nice but not sure how affordable houses are there. I've often driven there to park up and commute into London as it's cheaper than going from where I live.

I work on the outskirts of London - I think from my own experience if you've got a car most places are fairly accessible in that region.

I was reading the article that was linked for Luton. The writer for Stoke on Trent is so sexist I can't believe my eyes!! Sorry to derail just depressing!

Stayed in a motel in Luton once. Terrifying.

Again, what's the point of suggesting Hitchin?! It's expensive. No-one who could afford Hitchin would be bothering to look in Luton.

Well, it's different from Woburn Sands.

Actually, I found Hitchin reasonably priced. So why not mention it? It's a good alternative and has good links.

Hitchin isn't that expensive - it's big so a variety of prices.

OP- I am Luton born and bred! I lived there; apart from Uni; until I was 32. I agree with many that say there are some rough areas- I agree there are. I'd stay away from Marsh Farm; Bury Park by the footie ground and the high rise areas by the motorway. However, I actually grew up in Bury Park and then moved to Marsh Farm so can't be all bad!
It is like a lot of large towns-good and bad. Have you considered other towns in Bedfordshire? We now live near Bedford. Excellent road and rail links and a lot nicer....... even if I still go to the Arndale occasionally!

Hemel is lovely! How on earth can someone say it's terrible and Aylesbury is lovely on one breath?

Milton Keynes Aylesbury etc are no good for commuters.

donty I agree about Aylesbury. Hideous place but, better than Luton

I had a copy of the worst towns in the UK book. I loved the entry for Bangor:

'Didn't we have a lovely time the day we went to Bangor? NO.'
'

Stevenage is big bailout it's miles better than Luton. Has a lovely old town Some Benefit culture but not too much compared. Most are families working nearby or commuting. Decent sized houses for the money too. School vary so do your research. Lovely park. Town is ok but plenty of nicer shopping nearby to drive too. Good leisure park with loads for the kids. I'm six miles away from stev and go in and use the facilities regularly.

I never found Luton to be friendly. I experienced a lot of harassment and racial abuse there.

I found it to be insular and hostile to 'outsiders'.

Yes there are 'nice' areas but as a town it's so small the 'nice' bits (which are not that nice) rub shoulder to shoulder with the many rough bits.

Having gone back to see the 'regeneration' we were shocked at how bad the town still felt.

My DH actually had slightly fond memories of Luton and when we went back he was nearly in tears at just how grim it was.

It's not lack of education that leads people to say it's bad - it's because, having lived elsewhere, it is that bad.

Lived a couple of miles away as a child. Remember the Millwall riots. Go through there frequently still and not sure it's improved. Berkhamsted, Tring and the Ashridge areas all very pleasant though, although def more pricy than Luton.

Off-topic, I'd take issue with S.Bucks being depressing etc though - the Chilterns (area of outstanding natural beauty), Beaconsfield, Gerrards Cross, Chalfonts, Missenden etc. Have some flaws (the price tags being one) but all have a strong sense of community (IME) beautiful surroundings and pretty villages.

MrsLion - I stayed in a motel in Luton as well when I was 13. I asked my Dad afterwards whether it was a motel or a hotel we'd stayed at.

His reply. "It was a NO-tel"

Luton isn't even cheap. Part of the reason it was so depressing to live there is that I couldn't afford to go anywhere or do anything. Literally couldn't leave the house and there wasn't even anywhere nice to go for a walk. And when we did go outside it was grim.

Bedford is much nicer. Nicer parks, a river and comparable in price.

But if the country is your oyster I would move to a part of the country where you get more for your money and a better standard of living. We live in Wales now.

I occasionally drive through to go to Stockwood Discovery Centre and it really looks grim. There also seem to be lots of protest marches, according to the local papers, such as the Britain First march in 2015. There are lots of nice and not too expensive beds villages.

Pmsl re. looking at Harpenden and St. Albans as an alternative to Luton 😂😂. That really does sum up just how out of touch Mumsnet is.

Car doors locked from the inside? Jesus pearlclutching Christ there's some anxious people on here. Luton's grotty but it's hardly Basra.