Moving to Broxbourne/Hoddesdon/West Cheshunt

[mrsys]

Hi All,

We are a black family of 4, myself and my husband are in our early 30s, with two small children.

Originally from North West London, we moved to Milton Keynes a few years ago and unfortunately are wanting to move closer down to London to be closer to friends and family but also find a place where we can build a lovely community of friends.

If anyone has any experience with Broxbourne, Hoddesdon, West Cheshunt or surrounding areas that are ideally culturally diverse with good state schools, high street, parks to walk, places to eat and things to do with children I would really appreciate some feedback.

I have found Milton Keynes quite isolating, with little to do for adults and find myself driving to London/Herts/Essex to see friends and family, or date nights which can take anywhere between 1-2 hours, so we’re looking to settle somewhere that would be a happy medium and still access London easily by car or train but also still be out of the city.

My Mum has also been quite badly affected by her arthritis so looking to move closer to her to support her at the moment I’m driving 50 miles one way if I need to go and help her.

Thanks so much in advance!

Quite a few people I know have moved to Hoddesdon over the last few years and don’t seem to mind it. My own experience of that area is about 6-7 years out of date and honestly it was horrific. For me, the racism was blatant. At least they didn’t try to hide it I suppose but it was very apparent. During the big “anti racism/BLM” movement of 2020, there was a counter-protest in Hoddesdon in which people were chanting “Go back to Africa” (there are videos online of it this you search it up).

As I said, these are quite outdated experiences now so perhaps the area has changed a lot since then, (which, if I take people at their word, it has). I should point out that the people I know who have moved there aren’t necessarily the ones who will pick up on nuanced / cloaked racism, but at least it means the overt racism is less obvious.

Agree with the former poster. I’d personally look to Hertford, St Albans or Watford if looking at Hertfordshire specifically, as it’s definitely more welcoming.

Unfortunately, all of those places are pretty awful. Hoddesdon in particular.

Hertford is much nicer, but culturally diverse it isn’t.