London 'burbs as a singleton. Rickmansworth/Pinner/St Albans/other?

[SearchingForSomething]

Hi all,

I hope the fact that I am not a mum doesn't preclude me from posting here! I posted in the Hertfordshire local board but not sure how much traffic that gets so thought I'd try here too.

My husband and I split up earlier this year and it looks likely that he will buy me out of our flat (which I miss dearly, but don't want to stay there as it has too many memories). So while I'm renting now, I would really like to buy my own place so that I can start to put down some roots and re-build my life.

Ideally I'd like to find somewhere I can happily be for the next 5-10 years. I'd love to think that would involve having a family of my own but I guess it's not something I can count on happening (I'm almost 34 and not ready for another relationship yet).

I would need decent travel to London, and enough amenities to not feel cut off, but since I grew up in a rural village I find myself more and more drawn to pretty, green, village-type areas. I guess I want that rare balance of homeliness, accessibility and activity which everyone else wants too..!
I think my budget would be somewhere around £375k and I'd like 2 beds/parking/small garden...

For various reasons, I'm only considering the Herts/Bucks/Middlesex areas that are near London. No offence to Essex, Surrey or Kent. This means that I have St Albans and Rickmansworth near the top of the list. They both look really nice although SA looks like it might be best for clubs/activities/social groups to keep me busy. But then Ricky's on the tube and has the rivers and Chilterns nearby...

I don't know anyone who knows these areas particularly well so it would be really great if anyone could offer advice on either area, or maybe even a few alternatives. For example, Pinner looks lovely and has good transport, but would I feel isolated?

I'd really like to make the move ASAP - possibly by renting for a while first and then buying - but if I can skip the renting that would be fab as I'd love to stop feeling like a nomad and settle somewhere I can be happy before I become a bitter old spinster :)

Thanks everyone.

My sister had a full single life in her 30s (including meeting now husband) and commutes into London daily from Wokingham in Berks. A town rather than a village but it seems to have a really nice feel.

Rickmansworth is great, but not as lively as St Albans, tbh. I think it depends on how much of a nightlife you want.

Watford is down the road, and has lots of pubs and clubs, but Ricky is a bit slower. Few restaurants, pubs etc.

There is great countryside, sports centres, transport to london, and is cheaper than St Albans. I love it, but it depends what you are after.

Would be St Albans for me. Lovely town, nice parks, great for singles and has good schools for the future. Lived there for 20yrs before we moved up north. Still miss it

Rickmansworth is a bit small, though it is on the tube. I would almost prefer Amersham or Chesham. St Albans is lovely. Or what about Berkhamsted? Really interesting shops, cafés restaurants etc and on the fast train into Euston.

St Albans is easily the best out of those choices.