Relocating to Northamptomshire kettering

[NdMc1]

Im looking for some help with relocating - My H has been offered a job in the Kettering area that would be crazy to turn down, but this means we will need to relocate from Norfolk, neither of us have been to this area before (other than for his interview and a few days look around). I have read some bad reviews on her about kettering, and was wandering whether we should be looking at more rural villages? We would be moving to somewhere we don't know anyone so would like a 'community' feeling but like our own privacy. With space for our growing family. I would really appreciate any advice on areas to go towards, or really areas to avoid :) Thanks guys x

Yes Oundle is lovely but the commute via A605 and A14 would be at least half an hour (or more if road works etc). Oundle is regarded as expensive (although cheap compared with London and the south east).
We need NdMc1 to come back with a bit more information about what they want eg nursery/playgroup, Primary school, Secondary school, no school. That could make a difference.

Oundle, thrapston or Woodford

Thrapston, Stanwick and Great Addington are nice

There are some beautiful parts of Kettering. We live down the road in Rothwell but would happily move to Kettering for the right house.

WOW guys, thanks for all the comments (sorry for the late reply, you know how it is with school holidays). There are lots of places here for us to start looking into. I come from a town where there is a high crime rate for the area and everyone knows everyone, and I haven't turned out too bad so that side of things wouldn't bother us too much as long as long as it isn't on our door step. But after looking at these areas online iv got an idea where to start looking. THANKS.

I don't know Kettering centre very well. I do know Market Harborough and it's getting pretty crime filled there and due to the constant building and houses going up the traffic is really bad. I would look at Rothwell, Desborough, Broughton, Rushton, Mawsley, Loddington areas. Some are villages but they are all within a short driving distance to a town. Good luck. I hope you find somewhere wonderful.

I don't know if the OP is still following, but I went to Kettering Tesco today and remembered that large areas of Kettering itself are subject to traffic noise from the A14, which is something to bear in mind.

Geddington has a lovely community centred around the school but there's not much else there!! Market Harborough is indeed lovely and I really liked Rothwell although only driving through really,

Scaldwell is another big community village but it doesn't even have a school so is very small.

Thank you guys. I dont want to put my budget, but looking at these villages they all have options for me!!

We moved to Kettering from London just over 5 years ago. I've often walked around at night e.g back from the station and felt safe and I don't think the crime is that bad - search by roads near you as much of the crime is concentrated around specific estates (as in many towns - I suspect the same applies to Norwich). Yes the villages are beautiful but it depends what you want - there's not a lot to do there, especially for kids and you can spend a lot of time ferrying them back and forth to after school clubs and your social life might be limited to the pub. How much of your life do you want to spend in the car? Everyone obsesses about high streets but how much time do you really spend in them and I think Kettering town centre is no worse than many to be honest. What matters is your commute and your community. Villages can be quite closed and the scope to meet people very limited if there's only a certain number of houses (especially if the population is old).
We deliberately chose close to the station to enable London commute. There are some lovely roads and areas in Kettering e.g. Headlands ,Gipsy Lane, Warkton Lane and some nice green, private estates eg Kettering Leisure Village (although watch A14 noise) If you need schools then you need to choose location carefully and for secondary in practice unless you are prepared to do some intensive church going for the Ofsted Outstanding Bishop Stopford, the choice is poor (the same secondary school issue applies to the closer villages) - a new secondary is due to be built in the East Kettering development. A new primary is alread open that side, with another opening at the Westhills estate.
There are some lovely country parks around Northants and historic houses etc to visit at weekends. There's also a great comedy club in Kettering. For theatre there's Wellingborough or Leicester.

I worked with someone from Kettering. He says it's a dump to live in. DP had several gigs there - avoid the pubs. They are dives filled with pissed up teenagers and crowds of junkies lurking around outside in hope of being able to rob vehicles of musical instruments. And it was fucking freezing all the time.

Sleeprocks Southfields is a good option if the OP has girls, isn't it?
MitziK my DS used to be a bouncer in Wellingborough, and worse still Bridge Street Northampton, and as far as I know Kettering is no worse than either of them.

Whatever happened in the end? Where did you move to? Some of the comments are laughable. I've lived here all my life. I work ALL OVER THE UK and let me tell you now it's a very nice town indeed. Plenty of amenities, lovely houses and afluent areas. It's got lots of history around the town and lots of things for families and single people to do.

Town centre after the 2008 recession took a hit. It's taken 10 years but now government are investing heavily in the area, the schools, houses, Industrial areas are to bring in lots of work and jobs and they are investing millions into the town centre.

I've moved away AND CAME BACK. It's what I would class as not a poor town and not a rich town (some very rich well off there for sure) it's what I would regard as a good middle ground town. Most people from Kettering are very friendly, you still get the nod of the head or a good morning or a smile when you walk past someone.

There's a few pockets of not so good areas but them have come up a long way now.

Schools are good ( lots are new) Transport links are brilliant

The housing is getting quite pricey now due to commuters pushing prices up but still in reach for most people.

Villages around Kettering are also nice. Rothwell is nice, bit small not much to do there and desborough even less to do. Burton Latimer / Barton Seagrave are nice areas (Barton is A lot nicer)

Whatever you chose, I hope you are happy now 🙂👍