Move to St Albans

[LouBriggs]

We are thinking of moving to St Albans. Any thoughts and which areas are good for us? Couple in our thirties and pregnant.

I’ve lived in St Albans since 1995, and I think most areas are good. It depends on your budget. You need to come and drive around so you see the areas. Most schools are good too. Some over the years have got much better.

Love St Albans. The further central you are the worse the parking is and congestion coming in and out.

Think very carefully about schools. Lots of ‘black holes’ with no provision.

If you commute by train it definitely helps to be walking/cycling distance to the station but be aware the area immediately round the station and some of the city centre have been a bit of a black hole for primary school places in recent years.

And secondary!

Thank you everyone. We have been considering hemel Hempstead but the trains aren't so as well connected to Bedford which is where my parents live. Is hemel better?

I don't know much about Hemel. The schools in St Albans are all great but you need to be living very close to have a chance of getting in to most of them so just be aware of that if you're looking at properties.

Hemel is excellent and improved massively over the last 5-10 years
Probably worth a look

Berkhamsted and Tring both have a similar feel to St Albans without the issues mentioned earlier.
It’s still on the more difficult train line for Bedford though.

Harpenden would be on the right train line though

Hemel has nice areas, but the town centre is pretty ropey

I live in St Albans. Would recommend Marshalwick and Jersey Farm (Sandridge is upcoming) area, can be bias as I live in the area. Very residential, great parks for kids and dogs walks (The Wick, Jersey Farm, Hertwood Forest), all are good and outstanding primary schools. The good secondary schools are Beaumont and Sandringham, catchment is small currently 0.5 miles, so can be tricky. This site is helpful to check the catchment (paid subscription though) www.schoolguruhertfordshire.co.uk
Marshalwick is higher price than Jersey Farm overall, both very nearby. Jersey Farm is much closer to Green and parks for dogs walks if that is important (lots of dogs owners in the area).
You can cycle to the station (Jersey Lane) or bus (improved a lot since we moved few years ago, you can now track the buses). Trains from St Albans are excellent.
Agree with above, Hemel town centre is a pretty ropey. Berkhamstead is nice, but as pricey as St Albans. We just drove by Tring, but commute was too far for us (and train ticket price).
PM me if you need other helps.