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Original poster

ST ALBANS...anyone live there/been?

37 replies

granarybeck · 25/04/2006 21:59

What is it like? Nice place to live? Good schools? Dh has been offered job in london which we are only considering at this stage, but I have been looking at St Albans as a place we could potentially move to. Anyone any info or advice about what its like?

OP posts:
misdee · 25/04/2006 22:00

good schools, nice place to live tho too busy for me.

Original poster
granarybeck · 25/04/2006 22:02

Busy just in centre or all too busy misdee?

OP posts:
misdee · 25/04/2006 22:04

tbh, i only drove round the other parts, but all seemed busy. town centre can be manic. i live in welwyn garden centre so not far.

RTKangaMummy · 25/04/2006 22:04

Alibubbles lives there

Original poster
granarybeck · 25/04/2006 22:06

I've been told that's nice misdee. Didn't have to be just st albans, it was just nr the right train line for dh, but guess he could drive or cycle to train.

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fastasleep · 25/04/2006 22:09

IJ knows it and her bessie mate lives there, but she's away..

spacecadet · 25/04/2006 22:12

i lived in st albans as a toddler briefly, dm always loved it there, perfect for commuting to london, i sadly have no memory of the place

misdee · 25/04/2006 22:14

whereabouts in ,london will he be working?

wgc is greener, but has a slower paced lifestyle. if u like hustle and bustle then st albans will be better for you.

Original poster
granarybeck · 25/04/2006 22:18

Think its faringdon in London, I'm a complete London novice though. This makes it really hard to make the decision as have no real knowledge of all these places, how they fit together. Some might sound nice but be awful! Its strange as you know the good and places where you ive and where is easy to get to etc.

Hustle and bustle isn't on my priority list in what would be looking for!

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Greensleeves · 25/04/2006 22:20

I worked in a boarding school fairly near there once, went to St Albans a couple of time and though it was a very nice town. Nicer than most, middle sized town.

Original poster
granarybeck · 25/04/2006 22:20

thanks fast asleep, will re bump thread if we decide to go for it!

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nannyme · 25/04/2006 22:25

We had the same dilemma when moving back to the South from Cumbria after 15 years away. I am Herts born (just arond corner from St Albans) and knew I wanted to be near family in Herts, but also close to work in SE London and didn't have a clue where to start looking.

I'd do a primelocation.com search on Herts, Bucks and Essex as these all have some lovely rural corners but still with easy commutes. My personal faves were Bishops Stortford and Harpenden. St Albans has good schools, nice cafe culture and pleasant nightlife as well as greenery and ok - good shopping. St albans people are a nice 'type' in the main.

Use the tfl site to work out what the commute will be like and then trawl, trawl, trawl!

Good Luck!

ambercat · 25/04/2006 22:25

I grew up about 5 miles from St Albans, really nice town,lovely park and abby' good schools aswell ithink.

Used to have good shops but not sure now, afriend moved there recently and loves it, very expensive though.

edam · 25/04/2006 22:27

I live near St Albans and think it's a great place for families. Good schools, good quality of life and fast commute to town (20 to 25 minutes to King's Cross on a fast train). St Albans has interesting shops, good restaurants, bit of a buzz but without being big city-ish.

Original poster
granarybeck · 25/04/2006 22:29

Thanks, nannyme, that's really useful advice. We don't have any family or people we know near london so have nobody to ask what places are like etc.

Sorry to be stupid, whats the tfl site? Oh, is it transport for london? See, I am complete london amateur! Maybe this won't be good idea!

OP posts:
misdee · 25/04/2006 22:33

i just l;ike the sedentry lifestyle here, just ambling along.......

Original poster
granarybeck · 25/04/2006 22:41

ambling sounds fine by me, misdee Smile

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misdee · 25/04/2006 22:46

tbh, i do think the schools (especially senior schools) are better in st albans.

fast train from here goes to finsbury park and kings x, might be one to moorgate as well.

edam · 25/04/2006 22:51

If it's Faringdon, you should be looking at St Albans or Harpenden - trains from either go to Faringdon direct.

Original poster
granarybeck · 25/04/2006 22:56

Oh good, edam, at least I am looking on the right line! I have checked and it is faringdon. I'll have a look at Harpenden.

Dh is going to speak to firm next week, and if things progress, I think we will have to come down and have a look round so we can make decision as to wether he takes job.

Misdee, are they state schools?

OP posts:
alibubbles · 26/04/2006 08:55

Hi, I have lived in St Albans for over 20 years now. DD and DS both born here and went to state and independent schools.. Anything you want to know just shout, or email me alison @think-small.co,.uk

edam · 26/04/2006 09:11

Good state schools in Harpenden and St Albans. And private if that's your thing. That's why people move here from London - classic 30-something have kids, move out of town.

If you are looking at the villages around Harpenden/St Albans, make sure they are in Herts. Houses in Bedfordshire (we are on the county line here) are cheaper because the schools arent as good.

Original poster
granarybeck · 26/04/2006 10:56

Oh thanks, Alibubbles, may well take you up on that about specific areas to look at if we come down etc. I presume you like it anyway if you've stayed there.

Harpenden looks nice Edam. It would have to be state schools. They are at good state school and with more expensive house prices in the south def couldn't afford school fees too!

Have been encouraged by what everyone has said. Though the job dh has been offered is a much better one, I don't think that in itself (ie bit extra money) would be enough to make us move as we would be moving quite a distance and away from both our families. But it is more that it would be the chance and reason for us to move to a nicer area for the children to grow up in.

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2ManyPimms · 26/04/2006 12:32

I live in St Albans. Great place - good schools! Surprisingly "patchy" for areas to live - some good some not so great. Super commute but prices to match.

I have not found it terribly busy. It is a town that is "alive" (not to the best advantage when the pubs let out at night). There is a great market on Wednesdays and Saturdays and a fair range of high street shops. The park is fab with it's splash park for the kiddos and not far from the lush, green countryside.

Drop me a note on [email protected] if you want more info. We live in the centre of town but are looking to move away from it a bit - primarily for a garden.

2ManyPimms · 26/04/2006 12:34

Harpenden is quite good as well. Slightly cheaper than St. Albans (only slightly) but your DH would have a better chance at getting a seat on the train in the morning (my DH's pet grumble at the moment).