Cambridge / London commute - where to live?

[marellocherry25]

We're ready to move to a bigger place so interested in moving further out of London.

DH is about to take a new job in Cambridge next to the main station. I'm most likely going to continue working in central London. We currently live in zone 1, in a small flat which is fine for commuting to both locations. However, we're looking ahead for "good" places to live on the Cambridge - KX line?

Stevenage was the natural location that popped up when we started to Google but I'm now getting the impression it might not be the best choice. Important to us are access to good hospitals and schools.

Bishop stortford between me and D.C( I have 4). we see fair few specialists at cambridge or London (Royal London,Gosh ,UCL ( some come to PAH .I drive to Cambridge bit train/by a to London.

Station is a 24 hr staffed station who I personally find been very helpful with things like ramps for train even when not booked

Can get tube for Tottenham hale to Kings cross

High school Hockerill does the IB as well.as GCSE well know for music and languages

Also all boys and an all girls school senior if is your preference

Catholic senior if your choice
Birchwood well known for maths and sports
All rated by Ofsted

Nearly all primary same
Plus private school

Agree avoid Harlow good for shops but would not choose to live there
Bonus in my eyes Hatfield forest 3 miles from me .I can not see myself living anywhere else

Stevenage I would avoid (my son at a special school there who g is fantastic so go regularly ) but area very very run down .Old town Stevenage is nicer

Feel free to message if want any more info

Thank you all for the really helpful replies! We've been told by my husband's new colleagues to avoid the Liverpool Street line at all costs but it seems like some of you are not having an issue with it?

More context:

• We're looking for at least a 3-bed house
• Budget £600k, we might be able to stretch a bit further
• My job will be longer hours than DP and involve a commute within London once I arrive so we'd prefer to be closer to London than Cambridge time-wise
• We don't mind a town being boring - we're used to hopping on a train to do stuff :)
• I will have to use the train given I work centrally, DP does not like driving so we both need to rely on public transport