Watford or hemel

[Salinger26]

Hi everybody!
I moved UK 8 months ago and I am leaving Cambridge. In one month my husband start to a new job in Kings langley. It is very sudden change in our life and nowadays i am so confused about what to do. As far as I learn Kings Langley is very silent place and because of this reason I am looking for somewhere which is more alive. If I am wrong please fix.. I am thinking about move to Hemel Hempstead or Watford. Is there anyone who has suggetion about this issue? Thanks you so much in advance..

Kings Langley is a lovely village. Watford is good for shopping but the only part which is nice to love is around the cassiobury estate. I personally wouldn’t live there or in hemel. If you can afford it then go for St Albans which is lovely and has loads going on. It’s about 15 mins drive from kings Langley

@amaaboutthis thank you for your respond. Actually we talked about st.albans and it is one of the options but as you said we are hesitating because of the general prices. Would you prefer kings langley instead of Watford or hemel? if you have to choose between HH and Watford which one could win the election? :) I really appriciate for information..

Cassiobury isn’t the only nice part of watford.

Are you looking to buy or rent? If you give us an idea of budget, we might be able to help a bit more. Personally, I would avoid Hemel, I find it souless and depressing.

Watford like most places has nice parts and not so nice parts. Do you drive? There are some nice places on the outskirts of watford that might work for you too.

I would go for Watford over Hemel. There are bits of north watford and Garston which are ok but I don’t like the rest and I know it pretty well.

Bushey is very nice and just outside Watford, good schools too

@WoahBodyforrrrm we are looking for rent and if it is possible, where is close to Watford Junction. we are really tired because of expensiveness of Cambridge so our budget ( i hope so) will be around 1200 sterlin per month. We didnt buy a car till now but if we need we will get one. Originally I am from Turkey and I am trying to avoid depressing and gloomy places as you said because they can reinforce my homesick feelings:) thanks for your helpful reply

@amaaboutthis I will check these locations which you said. I heard something nice about Bushey, if we buy a car it can be good for us. Apparently i should eliminate HH

Alternative opinion from me - Hemel
Over Watford.
Hemel has had such a huge investment over the past few years that its improved massively.

Watford at commuting time is a car park, especially coming from kings Langley direction.

I recently relocated and was picking between work in kings Langley or Watford and turned Watford down as it was so hard to get a decent journey.

I only use Watford for the shopping centre but even despite the redevelopment is a nightmare to get to and park at.
I avoid it wherever possible and tend to drive further afield when I can.
I'm not a fan of big town living at all though.

Will he be working at one of the tech companies like imagination?

What size property do you need as £1200/mth isn't going to get very much in the Watford area

Areas of Hemel Hempstead which are worth looking at - Boxmoor , Leverstock Green, Nash Mills.

Nash mills and leverstock will both be the most convenient for kings Langley by far.

If you need to get a little more for your money there are some lovely spots of Adeyfield just along from Leverstock.

The less desirable areas are grove hill, woodhall farm and Bennett's end, but even in those areas there are good and bad bits just like everywhere

I'm with spring machine, I'd much rather be in Hemel if it was a straight choice. Sorry train journey into London. Lovely countryside on doorstep. Also agree about the nicer areas. Town centre is not that exciting, but both Watford and st albans are really close for shopping. But last time I shopped in Watford, it took me 45 minutes just to get off the ring road out of the town centre.

Watford is the best for shopping and social life.

St Albans is the poshest, good social life but expensive.

Hemel is looked down upon but isn't awful - there are some very nice bits and shopping and lesiure is fine.

Nash Mills, Abbots Langley and Apsley would be convenient for Kings Langley if driving but they're not the most exciting places.

If your OH needs to use the train then Watford would be the better bet but the area around Watford Junction isn't that nice. Cassiobury is the nicest part of Watford. Nascot (off Langley Road) is the nearest nice area which is walking distance to the station.

Tbh, all three towns are fine.

Another vote for Hemel over Watford here. Hemel has some really nice areas, as mentioned before. Watford is just horrible.

Hemel over Watford, but in your situation I would live in Kings Langley and get a car to access busier places when needed.

I'd also rather kings Langley.

I grew up in Watford and I would never go back.
Have also lived in St Albans and would go back like a shot.
DM lives in Abbott's Langley and loves it.

Depends what you are looking for and if you have kids and how old they are. If you do and they are likely to become 2ndary school age while you live there then Watford is a much better bet for grammar schools. Most if not all the primary schools in the Area are at capacity from at least year 3 and below, so you’d be waiting for a space to come up, rather than picking your school. Watford and Hemel are both practical. Neither is pretty. If you don’t have a car Hemel station isn’t really near the town, so wouldn’t be useful in getting you to Kings Langley (I’m assuming your DH is going to work at Imagination), but there are buses. Kings Langley and Abbots Langley still retain their village feel, the latter is much bigger and is a bit cheaper than KL. St Albans is beautiful, extremely expensive and has no direct public transport to Hemel or KL. KL does have lots of international families drawn by Imagination. There is a huge complex called The Ovaltine which always has houses and apartments to rent which is walking distance from imagination (and is a lovely friendly place to
Live) Many seem to live there when they first move. Good luck.

My DH works in Kings Langley, I wonder if it's the same company, there isn't much there.
We were looking at Hemel, Watford and Abbots Langley. We ended up near St Alban's and he makes it to work and back in 15 minutes usually. The trains are expensive and Hemel and Watford are both a bit depressing and soulless. St Alban's isn't perfect either mind.

St Albans cost a bloody fortune and you won't get much for £1200 a month, if you don't need the London train, I'd go Hemel way first.

I like Abbott's Langley

Hello again,
I really appreciate for all these answers. they gave me a general impression about the region. In addition to that I learned different places which we can choose. I am closer to buying a car after I saw the answers. I have no kids for now but I am thinking about it, thanks for school information too On the other hand, i didnt know there is not so many Company in Kings Langley and you are right. It is not exact but the company is imagination