Hitchin or Bishop's Stortford?

[ACatCalledFang]

Just as the title says, really - would really welcome any thoughts on benefits/downsides of both. We're preparing to put our London flat on the market and plan to buy a house in one of these, mainly because they're the only towns we've visited that both DP and I agree on .

We're looking for 3/4 bed semi or detached houses within walking distance (20 mins/1 mile) of the station and town centre. If a three bed, it needs to have three doubles, or two doubles and a very decent sized single. Garden is important but doesn't need to be big. Not looking for a project house; modern or period would be fine - location and room size are the main issues. Budget is up to £500k, could potentially push this a little higher.

From what I have seen of both towns, I get the impression Hitchin might suit us better in terms of having more going on (?) and the rail links between Stevenage and the north are a big attraction here for visiting family. But it seems our money would go further in Bishops Stortford and I've seen more houses I like there.

How do the schools in both compare? (We're a few years off needing to worry about this.)

How about the commute?

Most importantly: the prices.... I get the impression that houses which are priced right are selling. But I've been watching Rightmove for over a year and there are a lot of properties which have been on for months, many of which are not reducing in price. Yet the consensus seems to be that prices in Hitchin have rocketed in recent years - but a lot of the houses don't seem to be shifting. Any idea on how close to asking price things are currently going for?

Would appreciate any thoughts from anyone who knows both!

yes this area is very beautiful. I think Hitchin is going further up unfortunately for new buyers. Specially near the good schools. I think Stevenage is going to be up and coming now if not already. It's quite bad right now but since it's on a great commuter belt from London to Cambridge, ex Londoners are bound to find it at some point. The North Cambridge line will be a plus too.

Tremolo
Sorry it looks like I am hijacking the thread but do you not feel slightly scared by the cycling on roads between the so called "villages"? The lanes look insecure to me to be fair. Stevenage and Hitchin town centres have good cycling routes though. Not the open country I think? What's your experience of cycling like?

Valentine will PM you so as not to hijack and also not provide too much info about where I live!

Sorry I also meant to say, that while BS is close to the airport it's actually not directly under the flight path, planes aren't allowed to fly over the town they fly around it.

I used to live more rurally and the plane disturbance was much greater in honesty.

We lived in bs for years, only recently moved away. Definitely no bother with planes overhead however m11 can be really noisey depending which end of town you live. I commuted for ten years into London and often had to stand so unless they've extended no of carriages per train this would be an issue if you want a guaranteed seat, though obvs depends if travelling in rush hour. Loads to do with children and some lovey schools. You wouldn't want to walk from the outskirts to station every day (thorley), but could easily cycle. I never Felt it was home though, even after over ten years and making good friends. Good luck, tough decision!