what's Kettering like?

[allaflutter]

I'm about to go on a trip (by train from Lon) to Bedford and Market Harborough in one day, with a view of moving to the area, and have discussed these two in my other thread. I've now noticed that the train stops in Kettering inbetween, and having looked at rightmove, quite impressed with the value of houses there! They are also easy walking distance to the station which I like.
I realise it's probably not as nice as MH or Bedford but it's so near to both, and better value it seems.
So what's it like - any amenities, shopping, good parks or just plain greens? are there many commuters living there, or mainly a farming community (sorry if that' ignorant!). Worth stopping and looking?

not that keen but some lovely villages nearby

thanks kilmuir, but I need more details! is it just dull or has it got serious problems? To me it's about space, amenties and being near the station, I can always go and visit other towns and villages nearby if I get bored (the more expensive ones).

My sister in law lives there.

Kettering itself is fine, nothing exciting but has pretty much everything you would want or close by.

It's not pretty and Corby is meant to be quite rough. They did live within walking distance of the centre and never experienced any problem.

Lots of commuters. Wicksteed park.

Hi, I grew up there and my sister lives near the station. There are nicer areas and less nice areas - same with all places! It may be a bit dull, no serious problems though or at least no more than anywhere else. The streets near the station are nice actually - headlands way.

Shopping certainly leaves something to be desired! We would head to Milton Keynes really. In the town centre there isn't much. Off the top of my head there's M&S, Topshop, New Look, TKMaxx, Dorothy Perkins, sports shops, cheap shoe shops, a few nice cafes and a couple of independent clothes/jewellery shops which are lovely actually.

The Kettering Leisure Village has sports amenities, there's a bowling alley in Kettering as well. It is a great commuter place because it takes an hour to get to so many places! London, Cambridge, Birmingham etc.

Corby indeed used to be awful but actually they've had redevelopment and have a good town centre with a large Primark, TKMaxx, other decent shops I can't remember.

I should be on the bloody tourist board. I did laugh when I saw posters in the underground advertising Kettering and Corby as "North Londonshire"!! That's pushing it!

thanks, mrs and Nickname. I don't need lots of clothes shops on daily basis, but nice to hear there are some good cafes and a few independents. What supermarket/s are there and are there things like a bakery/deli/butcher? And exactly that- good connections to both Lon and Camb.
Yes, def pushing it with Londonshire, to me it's proper Midlands. Is Corby part of K, or separate (I hope!).
I'm looking at Headlands area, seems very convenient and period houses.
So when everyone says 'no more problems than anywhere' - is that crime levels? dirty town centre?

Oh, and mrs, would you say it's on par with Bedford and MH, or a lot less appealing (prettiness, general feel).

There's a Sainsbury's and a big Tesco, Iceland and Morrisons. The nearest Asda is in Corby I think and the nearest Waitrose is in Irthlingborough I believe though a search on their websites would confirm. Yes there's a butcher on the high street (neighbouring areas have very expensive posh but very high quality butchers too), bakery is Oliver Adams now. French market comes occasionally. There's a Prezzo...gawd it's been a while since I wandered round the town sorry! I'm running out of knowledge.

No Corby is a neighbouring town.

The town centre does have a depressing number of empty shops I suppose. When I said that I suppose I was meaning crime levels, unemployment, that kind of thing. I'm sure you could do a search demographic info like that online though.

MH?

I can recommend Lucas Estate/Lettings agency for property hunting by the way.

Kettering does have Wiksteed Park, which is a great place to go with children. I was brought up near Kettering and still visit on a regular basis.

Come move to Market Harborough, it's lovely!

Market Harborough is nice.

OK, will stick with Market H! strange though that it's only 10min on the train and so much difference is 'niceness' if these two places.
Cathert, talk me into it some more! I think property value is still very good in MH, well a bit pricier than Kettering, and a bit further but sounds like it's worth it. What aer the good areas walking distance to statiop? or a frequent bus. I'm going next week and would be limited with time so want to see the right areas.
Also going to Bedford - mrs, what do you think of it? not much on the market though.

of, not 'if'

I hate Bedford but have only been to the town centre so am probably not the best spokesperson to be honesty. And i wouldn't rule Kettering out, you should really go have a quick look at the area of the houses you have seen online.

Re Bedford Most town centres are a bit yuk right in the middle aren't they. You need to wander around the perimeter almost, find the park, the cute road where the independents are, river, good pub and restaurants, schools if you need them etc. As I am going from Tooting to Bedford in 7 weeks I am a bit biased. Despite the naysayers I am very excited. I think it is quite pretty in places and so convenient to get North or to London and lots of character properties.

yes, spotty, on my other thread I ve learned a lot about Vedford - the good areas etc, so will definitely visit along with Market H. Just wondered whether Kettering worth a look also. Did you chose Bedford over some other towns?
Yes, mrs, would probab;ly stop by. It seems like MH has a good town cenbtre though, unlike most of these .

Sorry to digress it was the ref to Bedford but related to all towns inc. Kettering. Even if grotty town then donot discount it. Have you looked at St Neots? Less period properties but good connections and prices. We did not look around that much sorry!

Thanks. I would say there aren't any bad areas of Market Harborough.

And I would also say that MH station is walkable from everywhere in town. I think a walk to the station would be likely to be no more than 20mins - and there are plenty of residential opportunities less than 20mins away.

Have you had a look at properties on Right Move etc?

We moved up from London over 10 years ago. The only place I would want to leave MH for is the Cotswolds where I grew up.

Friendly people, good facilities, beautiful countryside - and all just an hour from London St Pancras. I really enjoy living here and DH and I have recently had the conversation about how much the place and the people have come to mean to us.

Come have a look!

Flutter - I was on your other thread but have nc'd since then

We looked at St Neots, but didn't like it much. The town is due to expand massively over the next few years with a lot of new build (in addition to the lots of new builds already there).

Make sure you get the East Midlands train to Bedford (upstairs platforms 1-4 from St Pancras) - it's a lot faster than the FCC service, which stops everywhere along the way.

Good luck with your search!

Stick to market Harb. Much nicer, prettier, etc.

great, thanks for all replies. Very encouraging re MH, Catbert and william.
Thanks OhOne , yes, not a fan of new build especially if big, sprawling estates. Discounted quite a few sugggested places due to this. I like high ceilings!
Catbert, thanks as I am quite nervous moving to Midlands, especially regarding friendliness to newcomers. I've lived mainly in London but currently in S.West and it's reasonable - also SW is nice pretty much anywhere, Cotswolds kind of borders with it. If you aer really honest, any cons at all about Midland vs SW/Glos/Oxon? a bit colder maybe. In a way people in SW are nice but not very extravert/open compared to London - not a bad thing but an observation.
Can't wait to go and see these next week, I want a house (SW too pricey and too far from London), praying it's not puring with rain .

'pouring' - and the rest!