Anyone know Baldock/Letchworth?

[FruitSaladIsNotPudding]

Hello,

We are thinking of relocating from SE London to Hertfordshire/Bedfordshire, and yesterday looked at a house we love in Baldock. Does anyone live there who can tell me a bit about the place? As far as I could tell it looks like a fairly pleasant little town, and Letchworth seems ok too, but it's so hard to tell on a quick visit!

I'm especially interested in hearing from people who moved there with small children - are there lots of young families around and things to do with toddlers? My dd is 20 mo btw.

I've loved living in London and have made lots of friends, found lovely playgroups etc, and I guess I was hoping I could find something similar ish in a smaller place!

I used to work around that area. Baldock is nice, but feels quite in the country, which is nice if that is what you are looking for. Letchworth is OK but feels quite soulless. If you want somewhere nice up there I would go for Hitchin - it's a lovely vibrant market town with loads going on and great for families. That is where I would move to in that area.

Thanks! We like hitchin, but unfortunately there aren't any suitable houses there at the moment. And we figured that baldock is a short drive away.

Yeah. Personally I would hold out for Hitchin though!

Thanks lady grace. The house I'd near tesco - is there a bad part of baldock?

We're is the Royston area - a few mies East of Baldock in one of surrounding villages. I'd suggest a browse round here too - good value for money and great place to live. Note that South Cambs and North herts were voted 1st and 2nd in survey of best places to live!!

PM me if you want any more details of area

Ps we moved here from north London and don't regret for a second!

Hi FruitSalad

We are in Letchworth and love it! We moved from SE London too - four and a bit years ago. Now have DS 3.9 and DD17 months.

There are lots of things on for young children in all the three towns and people do travel between them a lot too. But certainly in Letchworth you could fill your days several times over with groups etc without leaving the town.

I personally like Letchworth the best - we didn't even think of looking elsewhere when we moved house earlier this year. I love the tree lined roads and spacious feel of much of it, the character of the older houses - quite different from the usual victorian or 1930s ones, and the fact that the train station is so central to the town. The town centre is not quite what it should be, given the rest of the town, but there are plans to change this (though it will no doubt take time). The community feel is great - def not soulless. As a sahm for much of our time here I've found loads of things to do and get involved in. It's very pleasant to walk about with a buggy too.

IMO Baldock is also nice, smaller and quieter but also will a nice feel. Quite a few friends like there and like it. Different type of houses too.

Again IMO Hitchin is busier than both and for me at least that is a slight downside. I don't particularly like the crowded feeling victorian streets, where parking is often an issue. But the town centre is better shopping wise than either Letchworth or Baldock. And there is lots going on there too.

In the end a lot probably comes down to the type of house you're after, and what is most important to you. A great area to look though

Thank you all so much for the info - very encouraging. We've decided to go for the house. It's a rental, so we have a chance to get to know the area without too much of a risk.

Feeling nervous about leaving London but it sounds like we're following a well beaten path!

Hey great news you are taking the plunge! I know it seems daunting, but you are right that you'll find plenty of others who have done the same.

There is a local MN board for Hitchin/Letchworth/Baldock (in case you haven't already discovered it). Seems to go in waves in terms of busy-ness, but at least shows there are a few more people out there! There has been a thread on there recently about activities for LOs.

Good luck with the move.

Thanks Milco.

Our dd's are similar ages - mine is 20 months - anything in particular you would recommend re. activites or toddler groups?

Hi again. Didn't want to jump in, but glad you asked

I started going to the local NCT's bumps and babes group when my DS was tiny, and we have continued to go to the follow on group, Open House, in Letchworth, since he started walking. So that would be my top suggestion. Tbh it isn't particularly flashy or anything, but generally it attracts a friendly bunch and there are plenty of toys and space. Its Tuesdays 10 - 12am at Norton Methodist Community Centre (entrances on North Avenue and Common View). I think now it closes during the summer - not quite sure what they are planning to do over the Christmas holidays. We aim to be there each week, though sometimes miss it. Let me know if you plan to go and I'll look out for you!

Other things we've enjoyed: activites run by all of the local children's centres (1 in Baldock, 3 in Letchworth and 3+ in Hitchin), Tea and Tots in Baldock (a little bit religious with the story at the end, but very popular and friendly, nice snack time for the children) www.christchurchbaldock.org.uk/TeaAndTots.html, Music Train and Music with Mum classes (two different companies but both good). Sure I've forgotten lots of things, but that's a start.

You could also try looking here www.letchworthmums.co.uk/ for more ideas of activities. This is run by a local mum.

Hope that helps

Thanks Milco, that's all really useful. I will definitely come along to the Letchworth open house some time - probably be after christmas anyway by the time I've finished unpacking!

Hello! I'm new to this. How are you finding Baldock, Fruit Salad? I have just moved here from London myself with two LOs. I'm slightly in withdrawal but fairly confident this will pass!

Hello Bloomington. Sorry, I only just saw your message! We moved in last week so it's early days. So far though, I'm very much enjoying the quiet. And having a driveway! What a treat. Haven't really ventured out yet! How old are your two?

Hello FruitSalad and Bloomington. Just saw this thread again on the first page so thought I'd see what was happening on it. Welcome to North Herts!

Hope you both enjoy Christmas in your new places. Hopefully by the time you are unpacked FruitSalad it will be the new year and the groups will be back up and running. Maybe see you about at one of them (though no idea how I would know it was you!!)

I'll be the one with the tantrumming toddler. Hmm, that doesn't help much does it!?

I'm planning to go to one of the Open House morning in Letchworth when they open in the new year - I'll message you and maybe could see you there?

Sounds great. The first one is on Tues 10th I think. I generally go anyway, but if you message me I'll make a special effort