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Original poster

moving to luton advice needed?

40 replies

airbabe · 24/09/2006 20:09

we are moving to luton because of dh job and i have never been there and dont know anything about the area can anyone tell me what there is to do for children there? dds are 2 and 4 and can anyone recommend any good nursery and primary schools preferably rc? would be really grateful thanks

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Original poster
airbabe · 24/09/2006 20:10

and what are the shops like?

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iota · 24/09/2006 20:11

my advice would be don't do it!

Original poster
airbabe · 24/09/2006 20:14

oh god that bad!!

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lou33 · 24/09/2006 20:17

lol @ dont do it

can i second that ?

iota · 24/09/2006 20:18

lots of nice places in the surrounding area though - take a recce and see for yourself

Original poster
airbabe · 24/09/2006 20:19

is it really that bad? havent been to the centre but where we have found a house seemed really nice!

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misdee · 24/09/2006 20:20

dont do it.

where abouts is his job?

there are laods of palces on the outskirts that are ok.

its about a 15min drive from welwyn garden city to luton on a clear day.

or you could go the other way towards dunstable.

chocciekookee · 24/09/2006 20:23

Ahh! It's not that bad! CAT me if you like and I'll try to help airbabe.

CantSleepWontSleep · 24/09/2006 20:23

There are some nice places close to Luton (we're 15 mins away in Hertfordshire countryside ), but Luton itself - no thanks! Shopping is ok - there's the Arndale centre with most of the usual stores, plus a few others in the town.

Not sure about schools or stuff for kids I'm afraid, as DD only 7.5months, but expect most of the usual stuff is available. Also a good location for getting about the country, and Whipsnade Zoo is close enough to make it worth getting annual passes.

Where are you moving from?

Blondie79 · 24/09/2006 20:24

Hi Airbabe - I went to University in Luton and I have to say it makes me feel sick thinking that I would ever have to return there!! However there are really lovely places surrounding it like Harpenden or St Albans.

Original poster
airbabe · 24/09/2006 20:24

he is a pilot and is transferring to luton airport for a promotion, we found a house we like close to the airport with really nice views across countryside!

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CantSleepWontSleep · 24/09/2006 20:25

Is the house in Luton itself, or one of the villages nearby (Breachwood Green, Tea Green etc)?

Original poster
airbabe · 24/09/2006 20:25

we are moving from portsmouth

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CarolinaMoon · 24/09/2006 20:26

There are way nicer places within reach of Luton, sorry airbabe (and I say that as someone born there ).

How about Leighton Buzzard? (not much in the way of shopping, but nice and near enough to MK for the shops). Or one of the villages round there - e.g. Toddington?

Original poster
airbabe · 24/09/2006 20:27

cantsleep its in wigmor (is that right) all newish looking houses but we can walk to country pubs in 10 mins or so which sounds nice!

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Blondie79 · 24/09/2006 20:27

Well done to your DH! I haven't really got a good thing to say about Luton I'm afraid - the town centre isn't up to much if i'm honest but like I said there are nice areas surrounding Luton.

Where is the house that you have found? Oh and where are you moving from?

Original poster
airbabe · 24/09/2006 20:28

i been told milton keynes is good for shopping

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Original poster
airbabe · 24/09/2006 20:30

if the shops are that bad he will probably insist we stay living there then!!!

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CantSleepWontSleep · 24/09/2006 20:31

I think Wigmore is one of the better parts of Luton. Pretty sure there's a sports centre there which will have some activities for your DDs.

MK is indeed great for shopping. Welwyn also has a John Lewis which will be a bit nearer. And you'll be close to Hitchin, which is a very pretty town too and full of small children.

misdee · 24/09/2006 20:31

the shops are ok in luton.

look at wheathamsptead, lemsford and wgc. they are the luton airport side.

edam · 24/09/2006 20:32

OK, don't move to Luton, but do look at Harpenden (5 miles away) and St Albans (10 miles away) - both across the border in Herts so much better schools. More expensive but I imagine pilots earn well!

SheRa · 24/09/2006 20:35

I was brought up in a village just outside and have also lived in Luton I would also have to say don't do it. I work in Wigmore which is ok I suppose but a bit soul-less but suprisingly has one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates of areas in Luton (make of that what you will!)Personally I would rather have a smaller house outside Luton as what you will be sacrificing in space you will make up in quality of life imo. I know it sounds like horror stories but take a look at the local paper before you move there, it's really not great. I also work for an airline, which one is he working for? Might be mine!

Original poster
airbabe · 24/09/2006 20:35

misdee are they towns or villages? although i like the idea of living in somewhere villagy im worried that not knowing anyone will affect my dd social lives!! not being at school yet i thought it would be easier to meet other mums if we lived somewhere that was more of an estate type place

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ambercat · 24/09/2006 20:35

My dh grew up in luton and thinks its a shithole, there really are much nicer areas to live within easy reach of the airport, i grew up in harpenden, really nice town and on the right side of luton for the airport.

CantSleepWontSleep · 24/09/2006 20:35

Wheathamptead and Lemsford will cost quite a bit more than Luton though, so could depend on your budget. If that's not an issue then Kimpton and Whitwell are lovely and very handy for airport (I live around there and worked at the airport last year - could be at work in 15 mins).

Do you want city centre walk to everything type living, or more countryside drive to shops type?