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[Newbie91]

Hi everyone, first time posting here so hope I’m in the right place! DD is 4months old, we’re looking to move house and are stuck on two options. Both are lovely areas- safe, clean and family friendly.
My DH commutes so needs a train station nearby. I can drive to work from both.

Please can I get some opinions?!

House 1: St Albans. Really stretching ourselves money wise
Town centre location, close to station and opposite and outstanding primary school.
No off st parking, no en-suite, no utility room. 4 good sized bedrooms. Edwardian property and in need of a fair bit of work. Will also require upkeep

House 2: Harpenden. Very affordable. Money left over for holidays etc
Rural location, lots of fields and fresh air. 2 miles to the station and 1.8 miles to shops. Really it’s a car ride everywhere.
5 bed beautiful new build house with off st parking, en-suite, utility and garage. All the space we could want.
Round the corner from an outstanding primary school.

I have friends in both areas.

Which would you prefer and why?! Please help x

Harpenden. Although I'd want to stay in st.albans, my head would rule my heart in this one.

I don't know either area but personally I would go for option 2, it will save having to more I. The future and once your dd gets older or you have more, that utility room will come into its own. I prefer country to town though, you may not. Two miles to station is nothing and not being able to park outside my own house would really irritate me.

The lack of parking at the St Albans property would be a deal breaker for me. Parking in and around ST Albans is pretty darned scarce.

Thanks everyone, appreciate your opinions!
So that’s 3-0 to option 2 so far...

What are the roads like for option 2? Would cycling be an option, if you need a few things from the shops, rather than taking the car all the time?

Yep, we could cycle. Although neither of us have been on a bike since we were kids!

It really depends.
For me - the main considerations would be if you and your H like the rural lifestyle and can be happy with it.
Also - your baby is tiny now and it seems like they’ll always stay that way. But - if you aren’t planning to move again for 10-15 years - think about having to ferry your child everywhere. All the time, until they are able to drive on their own.
Town location gives more mobility options.

But that said - I am an urban person and would go mad with fields around me.

MMmomDD that’s a really good point. I never thought of that.
Harpenden is close to Luton airport.. bit worried about plane noise now.
So scared incase I get it wrong

Harpenden. I think there's a strong chance prices of everything will rise after Brexit so I wouldn't be stretching myself financially in uncertain circumstances.

Could your friends advise about potential air craft noise? I live near to an airport (less than 5 km) but we get very little noise s the flight paths go in other directions.

In St Albans, not only do you have no parking but you're also close to the station which will impact on the available parking. Are you happy to park in a neighbouring street and walk your children home in the rain with bags and shopping?

With a commute of two miles to the station an electric bike could be a good idea for your DH. He can put as much or as little effort in as he wants so he doesn't get to the station all sweaty!

I think your dh would find the 2 miles to the station (where I presume there isn't much parking ?) a long trek twice a day.

I don't know the towns, but for me, being able to walk everywhere, or jump on the train is a MASSIVE plus.

My dsis and I both bought our current houses over 15 yrs ago, when our dc were little (all now adults). I love her house - it is spacious and a great layout that we lack but I am 100% convinced I would make the same choice over again if I went back in time, as they have to get the car out, to go everywhere. As the dc start belonging to things, it is so helpful to be able to walk them there. We also had times when people would 'drop them back as they are passing anyway'. Then, when they get towards their teens, they can start being that bit more independent about getting the train to and from places. As older teens, they can get themselves to and from their jobs, their friends, different school options, as well as activities. Even once away at University / adults at work my dns have to have someone come out to meet them at the train station or take them, every time they want to go anywhere, or taxis cost them a fortune.

Don't underestimate the value of convenience (though lack of parking would be a negative for me).

Thanks everyone. It’s so helpful to hear different perspectives.
I went with DH so that he could see the Harpenden house today. He really loved it, but there was no getting away from the fact it was a little isolated from the things we’re used to.
We’ve been spoiled with our location at the moment (very close to town but quiet and picturesque at the same time).
We also walked passed the St Albans one.
My heart is telling me that neither is perfect, but my head is questioning whether we’ll ever find the perfect house 😟
We found a lovely detached house in St Albans a little way from town 1.4miles. 4 beds, off st parking and 1.9miles from the station. The walk to get to town was through a park. I really wish we’d taken the plunge but it was so early on in our search we were convinced we should keep looking :-(
Thanks again all x

I grew up in harpenden! Had the most wonderful childhood and teenage years there and still have my 2 sisters in the town.

A vote for Harpenden from me.

Earslaps- definitely going to research the electric bike.
Downeyhouse- no doubt Harpenden is a lovely part of the world! The house we saw was more toward Kinsbourne Green, so just a tad bit far from town. Beautiful house though

Don't give up, I bet a lot of people are waiting to see what happens with Brexit before putting houses on the market.