Another to move out of London or not thread.. (to Hoddesdon) help!

[littlecrystal]

Another to move out of London or not thread.. (to Hoddesdon) help!

I am in South London and for various reasons want to move, i.e. want a newer house, better schools, better community etc.
At the same time I am terrified of losing my current friend network, our outstanding primary school for the unknown.

I have been looking in Bromley suburbs for a while but the houses are snapped up so quickly even before they come on Rightmove (I am registered with most agencies but they only keep offering what I don’t like).

I have also visited Hoddesdon several times, and though it may be not the best out of Hertfordshire, but is very convenient and ticks all the boxes.
I have viewed a house there yesterday and it was excellent: new, spacious, well decorated, close to town centre, close to a park, reasonable distance to train station, in a catchment of 2 good secondaries, 3 good primaries on the doorstep… what’s not to like!
It may be just me but I want to move and I am terrified to make the big move. I really should. But I am scared to make the mistake and I will never be able to move back. I need to act quickly as that house is for a bargain price (the owner wants to move quickly).

Although the house feels right, there wasn’t immediately that “yes! I have to have it!”, more like “I like it, but I am so scared”.

Talk with me about the big move to a small market town and how easy was to make the decision?

Bumping for you

Sorry, no advice but interested in this because thinking of making a similar move in a few years.

On being shown houses though - work to form a relationship with estate agents and ring them regularly so you're top of the list to see houses that come on.

Hi, I'd be interested to know where you ended up, as I am in the exact situation as you were! I'm currently in SE London and love it. But am looking for a bigger house around Beckenham/Bromley area OR Hoddesdon/Ware area as it seems affordable. My family are in Berkshire which is so expensive to move SW or move towards them. So exploring the places I've mentioned. I hope your move went well wherever you ended up

Just to say Hoddesdon is very up and coming. Aside from the 1960s dreadful tower block overshadowing some of the town and the A10 link road running through to the industrial estate, the South and the North of the town is very nice. There are some great new restaurants, schools are mainly very good and you have open countryside very close by. We are also considering Hoddesdon, we are currently in Hertford but the traffic is beyond ridiculous and getting to us now. The A10 bypasses Hoddesdon and Ware so generally they are less congested.

I was the original poster. I have not moved to Hoddesdon in the end, but moved to locally instead to a more suburban and safe area near Bromley. I think Hoddesdon would have been fine but I have decided to stay and have no regrets.