Between Watford and North London - Where to live?

[MJNP]

We (myself, wife and a 6 month baby) are moving to the UK from overseas. My office will be in Watford and we are wondering whether we should rent in Watford or somewhere between Watford and North London. Our budget is about GBP 2500 per month and our key criteria are 3-4 BHK (preferably an apartment but house might be okay too), a family-oriented neighborhood, good amenities (healthcare, day care etc), and availability of domestic help for cleaning etc. I will drive to work so a commute of up to 45-60 minutes is okay. Could you please recommend where to look and which towns to consider? Many thank!

Have a look at St Albans, not between London and Watford but meets your other criteria.

be aware of the horrifying traffic in that area and UK petrol prices. Go as close as possible.

getting cleaners not a problem, wealthy area. And St Albans is indeed a lovely spot.

I grew up in northwood and it's a nice family area, with a tube for fast links into Baker St if you want to get into London. Pinner, Rickmansworth and Chorleywood are all nice too.

Berkhamsted might suit as well. It's slightly north of Watford but the train goes directly to Watford from there which depending on your office location, could well be easier than driving.

Hi everyone! Thanks for the suggestions so far! I will be visiting customers in places not connected by public transport so train is not an option and will have to commute by car. I have a couple of follow-ups:

1. I am shortlisting the following towns for our search - Chorleywood, Rickmansworth, Northwood, Pinner, Hatch End and Stanmore. We will be living in our chosen place for at least 3 years so quality of kindergarten, playschools etc will be important too. Would you recommend adding or removing any towns from the above list?

1. Is Moor Park next to Northwood a suitable town as well? Someone said it is a great place. Not sure if it will fit my budget / criteria.

1. My sense so far is that Watford itself does not offer great choice against my criteria. Is this true? Also, does it follow that Watford rents are generally lower than the popular residential towns listed above?

Please share your thoughts. Thanks a lot!

We lived in Mill Hill (Broadway). I liked it a lot. Good high street with Pizza Express, M&S Food, etc., and 20 mins on the train to Kings Cross.

I will be working in watford next year. We currently live in w hampstead. Lovely neighbourhood. Can highly recommend our montessori nursery and its not difficult to find a cleaner. I'm quite sure you can find a decent flat within budget.

I don't actually know what the commute will be like as haven't done it yet. But I don't think it'll be bad as we're not far from the m1 and should be going against traffic - I hope anyway!

Unless the OP wants to be more central they will surely get a lot more for their money further out than in West hampstead and can still get into town on weekends quite easily?

Op it depends on whether you prefer to be closer to the thick of it or happy with suburbia or beyond? In the latter you will get more space and find it easier to park but high street shops and restaurants might be less exciting.

Moor Park is lovely. Posh with lots of big houses and green space. Is there a particular reason why you want a flat rather than a house? The areas on your short list are all very housey, and the flats are likely to be smaller.

I think Croxley is nice too, but I don't know it very well. Watford doesn't have as nice a reputation, but the area around Cassiobury Park is supposed to very nice, and it's a lovely big park with a children's play area. I haven't been for years but my parents have taken my son there.

I overused "nice" a bit there, didn't I? That sums up the whole area really - it's not desperately exciting but easy enough to get into London for anything you might want. But lots of green space and families, and for your budget you should get a lovely house. Good luck!

not watford - depressing, grey and awful high street surrounded by equally awful ring roads. there's a reason watford it's so cheap!

for your rent you'll be able to get a decent 3 bed house in st.albans, berkhamsted or harpenden - all gorgeous places for children, lovely high streets and plenty of green space.

don't bother with an apt- you won't be able to get a 3/4 bed apt anyway, get a house with a garden, even. little courtyard will be lovely.

good luck

Hello,

Is any one there to assist me please, slightly confused!
We are thinking to move to Watford from West London to buy, and we have two kids(age 3 & 7) too. I read some of the posts, but they all seems to be very old, can some one please tell me where are nice areas to live and bring up kids? We only heard about the good transport links to london, but nothing else. Thank you so much
Helena

@Helenalondon Watford? I would need to be paid to live there to be honest. What sort of budget do you have and which train line do you need to be on how long a commute do you want and do you drive? I currently live in Harpenden but moved here from Welwyn Garden City so know the area pretty well

Hello MissCherryCakeyBUN,

Thank you for the message. My budget is 400k(sadly not much for nice areas). I drive to work in Uxbridge and happy to drive for about 30-40 minutes from my current work place. I have also looked at Harpenden which is nice area, but expensive. Thank you so much

@Helenalondon I will pm you after I finish work. Do not believe the doom and gloom!