Hertford vs Harpenden

[horokania]

Hi everyone, I'm new to mumsnet and after reading lots of other useful threads posted on other topics, I'm am hoping to be able to pick your brains for advice on which area to move to - Harpenden or Hertford. Both DH and I will have a longer commute to our respective workplaces from Hertford vs Harpenden. However, we have heard it is marginally easier to get into primary schools in Hertford and as we have a 6 month old son this is also a consideration. Houses in Hertford appear to be more affordable too. Any advice/support on which place to move to would be much appreciated, we're at a loss as to which place will be better for us! Many thanks!

Both are popular places to live. I'd say that harpenden has a reputation as being quite exclusive, whereas hertford is a bit more socially and economically mixed. Depends really on what kind of people you are and who you/ your dc want to mix with. Both are lovely towns with a good range of shops, restaurants, pubs, activities for kids etc. I don't know much about Hertford schools but harpenden has a very good rep for education. What are your priorities?

Hi thanks so much for replying! Sorry for my late reply, it took me ages to remember my login details :-)

It's a bit hard to prioritise really as so many factors are important. Schools are important but are not an immediate concern. We mostly want to be able to put down our roots in an area and become a part of a community. We are a young family (our baby is 8 months old), and we're moving from SW London to Herts so that our baby can have a better quality of life really. Currently we live in a poky 2 bed flat with no garden, tenant turnover is high so there is very little sense of neighbourhood spirit.

Once we move, I will be commuting to London every day to work and DH will be driving to the outskirts of North London so our baby will have to attend a nursery. So it would be lovely to meet other families that are in the same boat in terms of having to outsource childcare as we honestly feel wretched having to do so and it would be nice to be able empathise together :-)

We are leaning more towards Hertford at the moment as seems like there are more young families like us there, would you say this is true?

I'm currently going through the same dilemma! Moving from Teddington SW London which we love but house prices are out of control. Harpenden seems perfect apart from the house prices and looks like we get get more for our money in Hertford but I'm concerned that there isn't as much for families and what the primary schools are like. Would love your views for anyone who has made the same move? Thanks