whats it like to live in harpenden??

[blossom2]

we're thinking of moving to harpenden or surrounding areas. whats it like to live there and how often do period properties come onto the market???

any suggestions/advice would be great. many thanks

Hi Blossom, we moved to harpenden last week! It is a lovely town, excellent schools, very friendly people. Period properties do come up, there is a real mix of housing. Dependant upon your budget really I guess! We've moved from the north so have much less choice than if say you're moving up from london.

So far though everyone we have met have been so welcoming and the school have been fantastic so would definitely recommend. My dh has been using the thameslink and has said it is very easy. I'll be using it too from next week.

Yes, it's a lovely town, but I find a general snobbish attitude from most people. There seems to be a dislike of children by most people that don't have them (and there are a lot of these people) and I gave up going to parent and toddler groups due to the unwelcoming attitude of other mums there. The one group I went back to a few times, my son absolutely hated and started shaking whenever we went in. There were quite a lot of children who pushed and shoved while their parents just sat chatting oblivious as to what their child was doing. However, my son has started to go to nursery and he loves it there.

Am surprised by lumpster's post. Must have beeen a weird toddler group - Lumpster, suggest you try Kangaroo club at the URC, very welcoming (Anita who runs it is lovely.)

We've been here, ooh, must be coming up to seven years. In my experience, Harpenden is great, green and pleasant environment, friendly people, plenty to do with kids but none of the stress of London (and half an hour on the train to town when you want a City fix). We've got lovely neighbours and feel part of a real community, especially through ds's school. We can't walk down the high street without bumping into a handful of friends which is lovely for ds.

Only downside is that most people are quite well off so if you aren't, I'm sure it would grate a little. And stuff is expensive - as soon as you give a Harpenden postcode to any company I'm sure they whack up their charges (builders, AA driving school etc. etc.)! Oh, and it's full of Tories given high house prices and % of City workers (Peter Lilley is the MP). That may not bother you, of course...

I don't personally find that people are snobby but I'm sure there are some people who are. I probably just don't move in their circles, being a mere pleb.

Oh, and I've never come across anyone with an obvious dislike of children. Far from it. Harpenden is full of families and all the elderly people I bump into love seeing kids around.

Another thing... Granarybeck, I think we talked when you were looking for houses. Glad you like living here!