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Original poster

Luton as an area to move to?

171 replies

WoburnSands · 19/08/2016 19:40

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?

OP posts:
user1471503652 · 20/08/2016 10:04

Stevenage fan here...

I moved to Stevenage last year, well, Bragbury End to be precise. We actually live closer to Knebworth than Stevenage and back onto lovely fields and you would never know we were in Stevenage. It has a reputation which it just can't shake.

We have a large house which would have been unaffordable for us in our previous town, Hertford, where we had a tiny 2 bed. Very sad to leave Hertford having lived there all my life but I have been very happy in Stevenage.

There are parts of Stevenage which are less desirable than others - we asked the estate agent when we were looking.

There are great links into London, the fast train takes 20 minutes. Plenty of cycle paths which allow you to cycle around the whole town without hitting a road. Fairlands Park is lovely with a huge splash park.

There is currently a big Debenhams being built. The town centre is a dive but I rarely go there, but apparently they are spending a lot of money on it in the next few years.

There are some great primary schools and OK secondary which I will be looking at in more detail soon as my daughter is only in year one. She attends a primary in the next village.

I really rate Stevenage, it's really not "that bad" and definitely not up there with Luton.

Dontyoulovecalpol · 20/08/2016 10:05

Lutons ugly but it's not dangerous. We're not talking Stonebridge Park sink estates ffs

Dontyoulovecalpol · 20/08/2016 10:06

I like Stevenage. It is the most convenient place I have been to- you can get everything there and get anywhere. It's only the town centre which looks really grim. It's nice and active and outdoorsy and nice parks. It has a bad reputation but I don't really see that it's deserved

SleepFreeZone · 20/08/2016 10:40

I would just like to say Huntingdon is affordable and not that awful. That is all.

Doggity · 20/08/2016 11:00

I'm surprised at the comments about Stevenage. I worked there for years and it was considered as very rough. It's better than Luton but it certainly leaves much to be desired. I have walked through some parts in broad daylight, feeling quite intimidated and unsafe. That said, they are ploughing a lot of money into it, so I expect it will improve in the next 5 to 10 years.

SharkBastard · 20/08/2016 11:27

I'm actually heading into Luton later for my niece's birthday lunch. I've never felt I needed to lock the doors mind. I think that's quite extreme.

My sisters and mum live in Stevenage and love it (they are all quite respectful folk), it has plenty to offer and is regenerating. It's definitely a decent option over Luton

Dontyoulovecalpol · 20/08/2016 11:35

Stevenage is pretty big though, it's not just the town centre.

Dowser · 20/08/2016 11:38

I don't know Luton at all . My cousin felt so intimidated on a visit she walked down the centre of the road, must have a pedestrian precinct, so she didn't have to be in close proximity to some of the men shouting at her.
She's 55 and from Barry Ffs!

What about Milton Keynes ...that's not much further...or is it? I go 4 times a year. People seem lovely there. Plenty of good shopping, lots of nice parks and walk / cycle paths. Can be a bit soulless but doable for a few years.

AnArrowToTheKnee · 20/08/2016 11:45

Grew up not far from Luton, never felt unsafe there, but there are far nicer places to live! We just bought in Leighton Buzzard, house prices aren't much different and it's lovely here.

Doggity · 20/08/2016 11:54

Some parts of Stevenage are ok but in my job, I did home visits across all parts of the area. My overwhelming feeling was that I wouldn't want to live there. There are lots of social issues. Then again, I expect it's up and coming. Money is being ploughed into it. It will become commutersville soon.

Moonmother1331 · 20/08/2016 11:55

As a Lutonian born and bred I feel qualified to answer your post. ..... please don't move to Luton, in years gone by it was a nice town but now, it truly is an overpriced crime ridden place. It is expanding into surrounding small towns and has become a desolate place to live - I moved to a small neighbouring market town ten years ago, house prices have gone through the roof due to proximity to London and in the last month I have moved completely out of Bedfordshire as I found it depressing to live there.
Yes we too locked ourselves inside the car whilst driving through Luton, a lady near me a few years ago was killed by her own car after it was carjacked from outside her house.

Mordor is a good description Smile

Becky546 · 20/08/2016 11:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PootlewasthebestFlump · 20/08/2016 12:24

Re: locking your car doors - when we lived there it was becoming the 'car hijacking capital of the UK' and official police advice was to lock your doors at all times.

I also experienced a lot of sexual harassment and anti-social behaviour and we were burgled 3 times. A serial rapist turned out to be in our local area but it was such a 'commonplace' event that police hadn't even warned the local community - I didn't drive then and walked everywhere...

This was a long time ago but from what I can tell crime stats haven't changed that much.

It is also unremittingly ugly despite the 'modernisation'.

Sorry. It's just my experience of it.

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 20/08/2016 12:31

I went a few weeks ago and it was grim. We were the only people walking about who didn't appear to be on heroin (apart from the police officers arrested some bloke). I'm sure there are nicer bits though.

wizzywig · 20/08/2016 12:52

I did a 6 year stretch in luton. Its character building. Go for the beds villages. So so lovely

laylabelle · 20/08/2016 17:49

Live in Dunstable so go Luton quite a bit but town centre is a pretty grim place.Think mainly cause of the huge amount of concrete there is. The Arnadale is a experience to go shopping in...has shops but walking to them..hell lol

But has got nice other areas.like most places it has goof parts and bad parts but don't think could live there. Not that Dunstable much better lol

BabooshkaKate · 20/08/2016 18:35

It's a bit grim but look at the gentrification of London - it'll be nice in no time!

hungryhippo90 · 21/08/2016 07:17

A few posters have said Stevenage. It does get a bad rep, I've lived for for over nine years, I don't love the place, but it hasn't been a bad place to live on the whole.
There's plenty to do, and the whole town is undergoing quite a bit of work at the moment, "more upmarket" places are popping up. I imagine it will be quite nice within the next few years, regeneration has to take place in the town soon enough, as they've got (4?) Sets of luxury apartments being built surrounding the town centre, the westgate actually has some new shops in it already.
The leisure park is actually fully open now. The old smiling Sam's building that was unused for 20is years has recently become TGI fridays and a trampoline park.

If you want a medium sized town, I would recommend it....I'd rather a village. But that's just me.

jellyhead · 21/08/2016 07:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

pippitysqueakity · 21/08/2016 08:01

Lived in Lewsey Farm and Lewsey Park of Luton area for years. Was fine and cheap for someone on their own without children. Never felt unsafe although was mugged once walking home in the afternoon. As soon as the children came along couldn't wait to get out. Schools fine, walking to them not pleasant. Depends what you are looking for OP.

ForalltheSaints · 21/08/2016 08:31

Train service is poor if a work colleague's experience is typical (he lives a couple of stops beyond Luton). My impression from the couple of times I have been there is it is an awful place.

LarrytheCucumber · 21/08/2016 08:42

DF lived in Dunstable for years in what seemed a pleasant area near the downs. When he moved the estate agent described Dunstable as 'not very desirable'.Confused

jellyhead · 21/08/2016 10:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Dontyoulovecalpol · 21/08/2016 10:23

I love the randomness of the cash for crash stat

I think Luton police made a HUGE mistake allowing it to be filmed (brilliant as it is) all it shows is that the problems they have in Luton are the same as any other police force- and look at the officers and staff who are all local and obviously upstanding intelligent etc - but the public haven't understood that, they think the stuff the police are dealing with in Luton is unusual and a symptom of a crime ridden area

dingdongdigeridoo · 21/08/2016 10:27

I've worked in Luton. Didn't mind driving around too much, but wouldn't want to live there. If you must move to the area, then get as far out on the outskirts as you can. Stopsley, Putteridge Bury etc.

Stevenage is fine really. Most areas are just like any big suburban town. The main disadvantage is that you have to drive or take the bus most places. The town centre is easy to avoid.

As someone who lives in a nearby naice town I am regularly shocked by how mean people are about Stevenage. Some mum at my kid's nursery was going on about it being 'full of pikeys' the other day. Lovely. Shock