Living in Chesham

Likeaglove1 · 2015-07-02T09:47:43+00:00

Hi, we're looking to start a family and have decided on Chesham, as it's close to our families and a little more affordable. Does anyone know the area well? Are there things to do for adults as well as for kids/new mums Thanks!

goldandgreen · 25/01/2016 21:31

Hi!
We're in the same situation...looking at Chesham without really knowing the area! Have you already moved? Are you enjoying it?

namelessposter · 25/01/2016 22:01

Lived there. Moved away. It has pretty bits, is in a nice enough bit of countryside, some good pubs, and is easily commutable to London. Poor racial integration, and too much low level crime drove us away, but I know several good people who are still happy there. You could make a worse choice.

0verNow · 25/01/2016 22:03

I live just outside Chesham. Love it. Have made some amazing friends.

Elsie212 · 27/01/2016 21:18

I agree with namelessposter
I have dealt with Chesham for 25 years+ through work and there are nice bits and not-so-nice bits.

You're also in trouble if you're in Chesham with the snow - It has reputation due to the access roads that you get either locked in or locked out of the town.

CointreauVersial · 27/01/2016 23:05

DM lives in Ley Hill, just outside.

Nice (slightly dull) town centre, cheaper than surrounding areas, handy tube station. Schools pretty good, I think.

Chocchurros1 · 13/02/2016 21:39

A little late to the party but we have just moved to Chesham from west London with DS 3 months old and are loving it.
We are in the old town - close to town centre and station for DH commute to central London (relatively cheap met line). We've found lovely village type pubs and the brewery shop for us!
There are also great child friendly cafes, classes (baby sensory, yoga, rhyme time etc) it's got a great feel to it (more of a community feel than London)

Chocchurros1 · 13/02/2016 21:44

Saying that village type pub is in the old town NOT on the high street!
Not sure the pubs on the night street are our cup of tea.

To add- I love the diversity of culture and age in the town - which is what we are used to after living in London for 15 years

notquiteruralbliss · 14/02/2016 21:36

Much as I hate to admit it (as an exile from a much loved scuzzy area of North London) Chesham is a good choice for someone moving out of London. It is on the Met line, has a Waitrose, Sainsburys, Boots, Superdrug, Smiths, Waterstones etc plus a few nice independent shops etc plus decent schools and cheap (by London standards) 2 or 3 bedroom Victorian terraces within walking distance of the station. There is a street market ( brilliant veg stall) on a Wednesday and a Saturday and good local farm shops.

Lowndes Park is lovely - a mix of open spaced, play areas and a duck pond. There is an open air swimming pool (plus tennis courts and gym) and a Leisure Centre. As someone unthread mentioned, there are nice pubs in the Old Town and (thanks to the community around the new Mosque) it is surprisingly multicultural for a small market town in the Chilterns. It isn't as smart as Beaconsfield, or Amersham, but that is part of its appeal.

TeamSteady · 15/02/2016 11:33

The secondary schools in the area are great.

We live about a ten min drive away towards Herts and our DS has recently started at Chesham grammar. He's very happy there. I know it;s a fair way off if you don't have DC but it will become important to you eventually!

LostInMess · 15/02/2016 14:27

I live in Amersham but on the Chesham side of it so spend a fair amount of time there as there is lots to do with children. I would say that, as with anywhere, there are nice bits and not-so-nice bits but I feel it's very underrated. It feels much more of a 'real' town and less of a commuter town than Amersham does, and as pp have said, there is a real sense of community. Fantastic pub in the Old Town, brewery shop is very nice and there are some nice independent shops and cafes including a little soft play and a nice deli that is open evenings too as well as a slightly random arty cafe that opens evenings too. Not sure I'd go for the other pubs on the high street though! Elgiva theatre has small productions but lots of choice and films occasionally - a bit later than on general release but good if you miss them the first time - and they also show foreign films and have a film society based there. Lots of toddler groups and two children's centres and if you're musical, there are 2 music shops too (the town seems to attract its fair share of musicians). Primary schools vary so worth doing your research. There's also a leisure centre with nice warm toddler pool and a heated open air swimming pool with another adjacent pool for the summer (although it is open year round if you're feeling brave!). And lots of lovely walks in gorgeous countryside too. obviously you're nicely between Old Amersham and Berkhamsted if you want some slightly 'naice'-er pubs and things for an evening out.

I'd say go for it - there's a lot there and you'd get more for your money than elsewhere - and as someone who grew up outside the S.E, I really like the fact that there's such a mix of people there - whilst I like living in Amersham it can be a bit of a bubble sometimes so it's nice to have the option. And FWIW, DD1 (age 8) told me out of the blue yesterday that she prefers Chesham to Amersham because there are so many things to do.

Good luck!

LostInMess · 15/02/2016 14:30

Sorry, that should have said another playground adjacent to the open air pool, not another pool - just the one!

bilbodog · 15/02/2016 16:27

Hi, we moved from west London to Chesham 22 years ago and have never regretted it. Has all things you need on a daily basis, surrounded by beautiful countryside. Easy to get to berkhamsted or beaconsfield for more London type of bars and cafes but house prices more affordable. We do have an ethnic population but this means you can get a good curry. I used to work at local police station - crime is very low compared to London. Welcome!!!

daniellewalker · 21/03/2016 00:46

Hi there,

Me and my partner are also looking at moving to Chesham. We are actually thinking of making an offer tomorrow! We love the area from wandering around in the day, seems like a nice mix of people and nice cafes, market, etc on a saturday.

What's it like in the new town area, around Broad Street? Crime seems fairly low on the police.uk website. However, I read a slightly alarming article about somebody being beaten up and threatened with a weapon in a carwash! Is it fairly safe round there? Is there much violent crime?

Cheers

daniellewalker · 23/03/2016 00:42

Anyone in Chesham who can help?

Blondie1984 · 23/03/2016 01:11

The new town area isn't quite as nice as the old town but is still pleasant enough

That attack you mention actually happened at the end of my road but that has been the only real incident I've known of in the 3 years I've lived here ....

If you want a bit of perspective on a particular road then feel free to PM me and I will give you an honest answer

Blondie1984 · 23/03/2016 21:40

Also a few thing just to be aware of

There are only 2 tubes per hour from Chesham into London
From Chesham to Great Portland Street takes about 1hr
As Chesham is at the end of the line you probably won't get a seat for the majority of the outward journey - but getting one on the inward journey isn't normally a problem

An alternative to some of this is going to Amersham where you have the choice of over and underground lines

K9concerned · 14/10/2018 12:32

Hey all,

I know this thread has been finished for a while, but it came up top on searches and people offered on what I need to know.

I was wondering if anyone would be able to give me some information on Patterson Road in Chesham and what that road/area is like as we're planning on a possible move there.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks all.

A

asymmetricunit · 20/07/2020 01:26

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velvetviolet · 20/02/2021 21:56

Hi all,

I’ve found this thread as looking to move to Chesham and these are from a few years ago now. Those of you asking, did you end up moving to Chesham and did you / do you like it? I’m really keen to hear if it feels safe living near the town (just up from Waitrose).

Any info you all have that would be amazing!

Thanks

KateMann · 12/10/2024 15:07

I thought I would comment as I accessed this exact thread 7 years ago when thinking about moving.

We love Chesham. It has so much to offer young families; parks and playgrounds, a theatre, a toddler group every day of the week and fantastic primary and secondary schools. Many of my friends from London travel out to see us as they find young families more catered to. For adults there are bars, restaurants and pubs.

Chesham has a strong sense of community and runs festivals and celebrations all through the year; Chesham Schools carnival, Hats off Chesham, Peace in the Park, Clocktoberfest, Halloween festival, Christmas in Chesham, The Great Pancake Race and with the new addition of Chesham Fringe Comedy Festival. One of my friends likens it to Stars Hollow (A Gilmore Girls ref).

We have not regretted leaving London for a day. We still travel in by tube when needed but find we visit less and less these days as we feel we have so much on our doorstep. Hope this helps anyone else looking to these threads for help.

GentleMintCat · 07/03/2025 09:17

Chocchurros1 · 13/02/2016 21:39

A little late to the party but we have just moved to Chesham from west London with DS 3 months old and are loving it.
We are in the old town - close to town centre and station for DH commute to central London (relatively cheap met line). We've found lovely village type pubs and the brewery shop for us!
There are also great child friendly cafes, classes (baby sensory, yoga, rhyme time etc) it's got a great feel to it (more of a community feel than London)

Hi! Just read your comment about moving to Chesham from west London. In the same shoes, considering to move from affluent W11 area considering safety, great secondary schools, nature, clean air and nicer, safer community for my girl who will be going to secondary soon. So, how do you find Chesham? Someone mentioned about low level crime that I thought wasn't the issue over there(from what I've read). If you could share your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

GentleMintCat · 07/03/2025 09:29

KateMann · 12/10/2024 15:07

I thought I would comment as I accessed this exact thread 7 years ago when thinking about moving.

We love Chesham. It has so much to offer young families; parks and playgrounds, a theatre, a toddler group every day of the week and fantastic primary and secondary schools. Many of my friends from London travel out to see us as they find young families more catered to. For adults there are bars, restaurants and pubs.

Chesham has a strong sense of community and runs festivals and celebrations all through the year; Chesham Schools carnival, Hats off Chesham, Peace in the Park, Clocktoberfest, Halloween festival, Christmas in Chesham, The Great Pancake Race and with the new addition of Chesham Fringe Comedy Festival. One of my friends likens it to Stars Hollow (A Gilmore Girls ref).

We have not regretted leaving London for a day. We still travel in by tube when needed but find we visit less and less these days as we feel we have so much on our doorstep. Hope this helps anyone else looking to these threads for help.

Hi! I'm so happy to read this comment. We're actively considering a move to Chesham from West London, so I'm reading everything I can find. My DD will be starting secondary school soon, and I want peace of mind knowing she's in a safe, friendly environment with a strong sense of community.

The rising crime levels in central London are a major concern, and someone commenting about low level crime in Chesham made me a bit anxious. Could you share your experience regarding safety, community, schools or anything please?

Maybe we'll be neighbours soon—haha!