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Original poster

If I like St Albans...where else?

58 replies

OhTinky · 25/04/2018 10:18

Currently living in the South East and considering a move somewhere else, but where?!

Working in London (west/central) so easy access to a London trainline is essential and schooling, particularly secondary schooling is a priority. Would want to live within a mile or so of the station too for ease of commute.

If I like St Albans, but probably can’t quite afford it, where else? Ideally 3 bed house budget circa £500,000. I can’t think of anywhere else which is a small town in its own right with a good high street, good trains, good schools etc etc - but clearly it comes at a premium!

OP posts:
DoctorTwo · 27/04/2018 05:19

Harpenden is home to my favourite chipper, so it gets my vote.

88mph · 27/04/2018 05:33

DoctorTwo the one on the corner just down from the station? It's still the best fish and chips I've had away from the coast!

I came here to say Harpenden too. It's a lovely town.

Belleende · 27/04/2018 07:07

A 3 bed in harpenden for £500k? Hertford would also be a struggle. Just about doable in hitchin.

QuitMoaning · 27/04/2018 07:29

There are 3 beds for sale in Hertford for less than £500k.

Hertford is lovely but the trains are slow (although it has two lines). I would have suggested Hitchin as well.

Attie17 · 27/04/2018 07:32

You can get a three bed in St Albans, within walking distance of the train station, for under £500,000 btw - but it will likely be one that needs some work.

NigellasGuest · 27/04/2018 07:40

You can get a 3 bed in Berkhamsted for 500k I think?

madeyemoodysmum · 27/04/2018 09:24

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-53075796.html

Hitchin

madeyemoodysmum · 27/04/2018 09:26

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-72358400.html

Hitchin

Sunafterstorm · 27/04/2018 09:30

Kings/Abbots Langley?

DoctorTwo · 27/04/2018 10:24

No @88mph, it's Godfrey's on the main road from Luton to St Albans. Dammit, now I fancy Chicken & Leek pie with chips and gravy. Maybe just the gravy...

VickieCherry · 27/04/2018 10:37

Watford is not like St Albans Confused

I'd suggest Saffron Walden - obvs much further away, but similar feel with lovely old pubs and buildings on the high st, and some parks, green space etc.

88mph · 27/04/2018 13:10

DoctorTwo noted, I will go there when I'm next visiting! Grin

Sunafterstorm · 27/04/2018 13:19

Vickie no kidding. I have lived in both. Wild horses wouldn't drag me back to Watford.

MissCherryCakeyBun · 27/04/2018 15:44

Godfreys is the best.....home made tartare sauce too mmmm
M

VickieCherry · 27/04/2018 17:01

Sunafterstorm I was born in Watford and am forever thankful my parents moved when I was still a child. I think it's actually worse now than in the 80s. (We still have family nearby so visit the town occasionally.)

St Albans is lovely though!

coffeekittens · 27/04/2018 18:09

I was going to say Hitchin too like PP’s have

DoctorTwo · 27/04/2018 20:17

Godfreys is the best.

I agree MissCherryCakeyBun, it's the only chipper that makes chips from new potatoes that are edible. Plus, I buy extra gravy to use with whatever I want to put gravy on. It's delicious.

Sunafterstorm · 27/04/2018 20:18

Vickie I was born in Watford too.

Spanneroo · 27/04/2018 20:23

Definitely steer clear of Watford (and Stevenage - though it's not nearly as bad)

Hitchin is lovely, abd I can second Welwyn Garden City/Digswell, Berkhamstead, Hertford

There are some really great places around here that aren't nearly as pricey as st Albans (and which are much less hellish to drive in)

Aroundtheworldandback · 28/04/2018 19:58

Have you looked at radlett near St Albans. Lovely village, not cheap either but maybe on the outskirts?

dontcallmethatyoucunt · 28/04/2018 20:22

You won't get anymore for your money in Radlett, well not when we were looking!

EdWinchester · 28/04/2018 22:08

Welwyn and Hatfield are cheaper with good rail links, but neither are very nice.

Hemel and Watford are pretty horrid and Stevenage is a dump.

I grew up in St Albans and later, Harpenden, and my parents are still there. I think they're both lovely places, but eye wateringly expensive.

madeyemoodysmum · 28/04/2018 22:13

St Albans is over rated imo

Good schools and rail links but the traffics horrendous
Prices through the roof
Towns and shops not any better than elsewhere these days.
School places massively over subscribed.
Lots of middle class kids on a free lease to run riot.
Im only 10 miles away and I avoid the town.

Cheekylittlenumber · 28/04/2018 22:15

Another vote for Leighton buzzard. You can get a lovely 3 bed for £350k easily. Great schools, friendly people. High street is up and coming. Berkhamsted is 'ad land' imo whereas leighton buzzard has more 'real' people. More green and villages than Hemel.