Anyone know Berkhamsted....?!!!

[ML1980]

Hi,
We are thinking of moving out of London. Berkhamsted is a fast commute to the City and is surrounded by nice countryside (I think??) which is a must as we have two small boys with lots of energy!
I have looked around B'H and really liked it and have seen some nice properties. I really like period houses and our budget is up to £800,000 (at a push).
Do any Mums (or Dads) living in the area have any advice about whether it is a good place to move to with little kids and about primary Schools... I have no idea! Are they all ok or are there ones to avoid...? I will look at Offsted but sometimes that doesn't tell the real story!!! Yikes... it is a scary move as we could be there for some time yet it feels a bit like we are just picking a place which ticks the most boxes (commute, decent schools, countryside??) without really knowing it very well!!!!. Any help gratefully received!!

Thanks X

Marking place although sadly my budget is rather a lot smaller

Without wishing to hijack your thread OP - I couldn't work out what's going on with the secondary school at the moment - if anyone can enlighten me I'd be most grateful!

They're in the process of switching first/middle/upper schools to primary/secondary, in keeping with the rest of Herts.

Love Berko, but traffic is a bit of a 'mare. You should be able to get something very nice for 800K.

It's a little sleepy for me for places to go out (although a fab cinema the Rex). Is that important to you?

this thread gives a fair bit of info.

Thanks so much for the info.

Evenings out are few and far between these days (losers) but that is not a big problem as we would prob head back into London to meet people if we were going out. As long as there are a couple of places locally to get a decent meal and have a drink that is fine. Party days are over!!!

Heard that about the switching School system.. as far as I can find out the Primary Schools are/ will be Greenway, Westfield and Bridgewater and Swing Gate will be infant (not sure where they go from there after the age of 7)? Are all the State (non-religious) Primary Schools decent...??As long they are average- good and nice I will be v happy!

Good news that there is plenty of Countryside nearby... ironically even though we live in London there is a lot of Green space locally which I love.

Thanks again it is so good to hear from people who know the area well!!

My Dad and DStepM, DB and DS have been there 15 odd years and love it. Great for schools, although where Berkhamsted is, you are right up against the Bucks border, and so if your kids take the 11+ they may have to do both counties', plus other minor issues ref travel etc.

Bus service could be better, but the High Street is lovely, and Home and Colonial is twee second hand store heaven! Decent pubs and places to eat too. Without wanting to win the embarrassingly middle class award, the Guardian did 'Let's Move to...' on Berkhamsted a few years ago, and the family thought it was a very good summary- they used to send it to prospective au pairs.

The countryside is really lovely, wonderful walks, etc. If we could afford it I'd move there