thinking of moving to Elstree/Borehamwood

[rabbitwife]

Hi everyone. I'm not sure if this is the closest Local forum but we (me, DH, DD 9 and DS5) are thinking of moving to Elstree/Borehamwood area. I'm still in early phase of investigation--am wondering if anyone can enlighten me on the followings:

Childcare: Both hubby and i work in central London so will have to leave the house by 7:30. Is it easy to find either a live-in au pair or a part-time commuting nanny (our preference) who can come early enough, say 7am? Are there many full time working mums?

Schools: state primary school don't look that impressive, or a mixed bag. What are the local schools like? How bad is the school run?

Hospitals: any pros/cons about Edgware vs Barnet vs Watford General? Maternity ward info is not relevant, but more interested in children's specialists (hard to get appts?) and children's A&E.

Oh, and can we manage with just one car, and is it safe (like walking from station after dark or house break-ins)?

TIA!

I don't know Borehamwood that well, but my aunt lives there. She tutors primary kids for selective secondaries like Dame Alice Owens (recommended but v hard to get into). Most mums work I think.

They live in a very friendly street, know all their neighbours and have a good social life, but have a love hate relationship with the area (my cousins called it Boringwood when they were growing up).

Edgware General has a nurse led minor injuries unit - not doctors at the A&E, but they are pretty good. Barnet Hospital is OK. Cannot say about Watford General.

Au pairs live anywhere.

Hope that helps.

Like with all areas, there are the good bits and not so good bits. Most areas on the station side of Borehamwood are fine as well as any road off Allum Lane. The schools are poor and most of my friends go private as there are excellent local private schools. Having said that, Monksmead is the best of the lot. Meryfield was failing but have had lots of good changes which may not reflect yet in grades. You can prob get away with one car if you live within walking distance of the station. Transport links are good and fairly reliable. Childcare should not be a problem, lots of ads in newsagent windows. In all Borehamwood has everything in a small neat package (all walking distance) banks, 24hr Tesco, cinema, gym, library, M&S, Argos, Boots etc...

Hope this helps!

The high street in Borhamwood is a bit off-putting, lots of bookies, poundshops sort of thing. I think there are nice streets but there are a lot more that seem, erm rather "edgy". Not sure there is a centre to Elstree? There are some very expensive parts to it.

If you are not happy with the state schools in the area maybe you should move out a bit further to Hertfordshire? The train service is actually better from Herts as there are more direct fast trains.

Borehamwood is VERY up and coming. There are still areas of deprivation but on the whole it's becoming a very nice area with some lovely roads and lots of young professional families moving into the area, mainly driven by it being relatively affordable and easily commutable to central london. Elstree is lovely but it's expensive.

This is reflected in the change in the high street. The main street isn't that interesting but it's perfect for odd jobs and has a big Tesco extra. There is a new retail park with a big M&S Food, Next, Boots, Costa, Starbucks which is very nice indeed.

Local state schools are not good but children from Borehamwood do often get places at St Nicholas in Elstree and some of the Radlett state schools. There's a large Jewish community and a number of Jewish state primary schools nearby where most of the children go. However, private schools are good, there are loads of them within a short drive and they're not the most expensive. Radlett Prep is particularly good and one of the cheapest. Also look at Manor Lodge, Haberdashers, Aldenham and Edgegrove.

There are loads of au pairs in the area and you should have no trouble finding someone same for live out nannies / mothers helps.

Loads of childrens specialists and in general the hospitals are all very good in relation to childrens health. If you have private health care most good specialists practice at Spire Bushey which is about 10 minutes away and at the Clementine Churchill in Harrow. No issues with getting appointments at either and there is always a wide range to choose from.

Its a lovely area to live in. The high st is up and coming and now there is likely to be a morrisons as well. Monksmead is the best school but trying to get your DC's in mid year will be difficult as the classes are full.

We have an AP and she loves the area as everything is easily accesible by walk. Buses to get to Edgware and trains into town/St Albans.

Stick to the South side as its the nicer part.

Secondary schools - you are in a great position as being in Hertsmere you can apply to Dame ALice Owens, Watford grammar, Parmiters and even Mill Hill County as well as schools in St ALbans. Some are selective schools but once one is in the others will generally get in ona sibling basis (except grammars of course)

HTH

hi, I currently live in a nice village in Harefield and my daughter has just settled into a nice new school being 5yrs old. I am desperate for more space and live in a council owned property and can't afford a mortgage on my poor wage!! lol. Can anyone please give me some direction on the shenley road area of BW - ie whats it like and are the schools any good for that part? I know some parts have been addressed on this thread, but I am looking at a slightly different patch and have no idea at all what its like there!
We don't want to make a wrong move to anywhere we wouldn't like.
thanks in advance to everyone!

hi, bhw is a very small town though equally pleasant, i think. have few friends that live there and my dss god-mother. shenley road itself runs right through bhw, so you'd need to be a bit more specific. friends dcs go to school in barnet which is adjoining borough. apparently more children that school places at last few reception intakes. but this has been recently addressed with one of most popular schools, summerswood (or something) now doing a two class intake. someone mentioned that south side of bhw is 'nicer', though i dont agree. north side is quieter, greener, more family-orientated and more community, im told. but with bhw being so small, that may be much of a muchness. been considering moving there myself.

hi, yes sorry I see that it is a long road!! I havn't even been there to view yet and just doing some research. It is after the r/bout going away from the station and running paralell with banks road which is to the right from it? sorry, hope that helps as I don't have the number of the house till I arrange a viewing.
Thank you for your comments and thats refreshing to hear that its much of a muchness ( bit like where I am currently). I am concerned for school and sizes of classes as my daughter has only just started her skool life at 5yrs old and currently has been really lucky to go to a quieter skool with 26 in her class! one off I know!!

Ijust searched the crime rate in the area and compared it to the village I live in. I am suprised to see that there has been 4 recent thefts 2 burlarys and some two robberys very close by, most on that shenley road!! help! am terrified now!
I used to work for victims of crime, so I always do that check.... mmmm not sure now..

to be honest, shenley road is to borehamwood what oxford street is to the west end. it is literally the only main road in bhw!

just read friend who lives there your last post. she said "really?" she said she feels safe there and walks to and from train station at night and early morning. said she would be surprised if any area had no crime, and asked how recent recent is.

her plus points are all you need within walking distance, yet close enough to watford and london 'proper' if need be. says she knows neighbours who have lived there for aaaages, yet talk of going to london as though its a day trip out. says one area where house prices rising and recently noticably lots for sale and sold placard things around. she lives on street of average primary school and frequently receives hand-written or printed notes asking if willing to sell her home. she's not.

says best part is neighbours all know each other and respect parking places. says its like having own unofficial parking space! god love her!

hth

Anyone bought a flat from Taylor Wimpey. Just interested in any experiences. Thanks....

A quick update regarding local schools , as mentioned in a previous message Meryfield is the rising star of the local schools , they came out top for borehamwood , elstree , shenley and surrounding areas in the recent sats and a recent inspection of the foundation stages found them to be " outstanding " I have two children at this school and they are thriving.

Thank you for reigniting the thread. Do feel free to start a new one regarding schools - I'm sure it would be very popular!

Ed.

Hi everyone,

Need some honest advise . Me and my husband are first time buyers and were looking at houses in Borehamwood.. we are a Asian couple looking to start a family we have heard mixed reviews on the area .. I would like to put my mind at rest and fine out if Borehamwood is a racist area ? I have read some of the below reviews and there from 2010 I wanted to know if the area has developed much in the last 5 years (schools, high street, parks) .please be honest as buying a house these days are very expensive and the area is very important .

Look forward to hear from you soon

Thank you x

I hope someone comes along soon to give you some feedback. I've also tweeted your request.

Good luck!

Ed.

Hi nmaipat, we're a black African family and moved here two years ago. Never experienced any racism- direct or indirect. It's a funny place. I guess traditional white working class, a lot of council/ex council properties but also now lots of ethnic minorities. Walk up the high street and you will definitely see Asian/brown faces. My kid particularly likes the cultural mix in her school. She goes to a neighbouring schools after school club and I see the same mix. I have a love hate relationship with the place. It's a very convenient place to live- I like being able to buy from mns as well as lidl! I can be in Brent cross/watford within 20 mins, it's green, nice parks for the kids, I can pretend I'm a bit posher some days and hang out in ralett/high barnet. It's good in that respect. Pm me for my 'hates' ; )

Good luck with the house buying. No experience of racism- and to be honest if someone were racist I would expect there'd be a number of 'multi coloured' faces to your defence.

Also it's zone 6 so more affordable to travel into London and I'm on the m25 within minutes. The thing that is keeping me here is the hope that dd will get into one of the herts grammar consortium schools and then we can move out a bit for bigger house x

Come a look around. It's pretty much what you see is what you get to me. We've lived in lots of different kinds of areas and so far this is kept us here.

Thank you very much for your review very helpful

My son goes to Hanerdashers, has quite a few Asian friends there who live in Borehamwood. Think it's fairly multicultural.

Sorry should read Haberdashers

Thank you Runny hunny

how about kenilworth and Monksmead school?

thank you all for your advise very helpful x

Thanks for all the information about Borehamwood.Is Kenilworth drive an Ok area?Also, please let me know about the bus network and services.Are they good?My son and husband has to rely on buses to go to school and work.
Thanks once again.