Bishop's stortford, Hitchin or Cambridge/surrounds?

[whereshouldibuybee]

DH and I have a 50k deposit or thereabouts (but know we will need some of this for solicitor's fees, stamp duty etc so likely more like 35k), want to buy our first home when our lease ends on our rented flat in London in April. First DC due March.

We have narrowed down our areas to Hitchin, Bishop's Stortford or Cambridge/the surrounds.

factors to consider are:

• the major one is commute time. DH works in central London and categorically does not want much more than an hour door to door.
• house price (obviously). Our budget is 325k but could possibly stretch to up to 350k for the right house. Prefer a 3 bedroom but could happily settle for 2.
• we would like a garden. decent sized if possible.
• I have a major preference for a Victorian or similar period house but I am willing to compromise on this.

Neither of us are fussed about schools, that's not entered our decision making criteria.

I love Cambridge but honestly have pretty much ruled it out as I don't think we can get what we want for the money we have and also I think it is pushing it with commute time to London. I have visited both Bishop's Stortford and Hitchin and like both very much.

Any tips from anyone currently living in either of these areas? I will obviously be a new mum with a young baby so friendly mum/baby activities I can get involved in will be important...

I live in Hitchin - moved here from London 9 years ago and I love it.

I would suggest buying the biggest house you can afford though and rethinking the period ideal. We have given up looking for our next house as the last time I saw a house that I wanted (and could afford) to buy was in October 2011. So we're extending as it's financially more prudent to do so, and I've given up the idea of a bigger garden. My brother is in a lovely period semi in Hitchinbut the interior dimensions are too small for his growing family and he is struggling to find the next house too. There are a lot of smallish Victorian properties in Hitchin and a lot of seventies/eighties properties. The trouble is that there isn't that much on the market at any one time. We compromised on the exterior look of the house for a bigger and more adaptable interior.

It's a great town: lots going on, fab restaurants and independent shops, lots of lovely pubs, a bustling market with different themes on different days. I love it and my heart soars as I approach the countryside surrounding hitchin on the train on the way home from London. It's a lovely, laid back, friendly place and a really fabulous place to bring up kids.