Higham Ferres / Rushden

[Snoopy10]

Buying on the border of the two towns- anyone bought there recently, or lived there long term? Pros and cons? Would love to hear whether this is an area on the up. I like the look of it and seems to have good access to London and Bedford. I know the Library in Higham has just closed but there are rumours they are planning a new community centre? Any local information welcome. Happy New Year!

[kevintheorangecarrot]

@MaxPaddyandHarry yes I have lived there, and I have lived in areas surrounding it too.

[mumtomaxwell]

I love living here! We’re in one of the ‘new’ estates on the south side of Rushden. Moved here from Bedford which really has gone downhill recently and only getting worse! So glad to be out of there.

Rushden people are really friendly and I’ve always felt safe enough to walk home from town at night! I never would have done that in 30+ years living in Bedford!!!

Higham is gorgeous, but I don’t think it’s worth £10k extra on the house price.

My parents moved here recently and they’re really happy. They live in the area between Rushden and Higham so can walk to either high street.

It’s great here!

[mumtomaxwell]

My kids go to school in Bedford Borough - no way would they be going to any local schools!!

There’s a way to avoid the Paula Radcliffe Way in the mornings by going round the back way from Sharnbrook through Thurleigh. Brings you into Bedford via Kimbolton Road. Can be in Bedford in about 20/25 minutes.

[MaxPaddyandHarry]

Quite a few Rushden children go to Sharnbrook school too.

[mumtomaxwell]

There’s a great school at Wollaston, and there’s one in Kettering called Bishop Stopford. Those are the schools my friends send their kids to.

[MaxPaddyandHarry]

Two of mine went to Bishop Stopford. 😊
Wollaston has changed its catchment area,
and I don't think it is open to Rushden children any more.

[flowerycurtain]

It's not easy to get into Bishop Stopford.

[Chaotica]

Quite a few Rushden children now go to school in Wellingborough (Christopher Hatton) but that is quite competitive to get into now. Sharnbrook is also good from what I hear.

I don't live in either Rushden or Higham, but agree that it's better than Bedford (from what I can tell).

[Snoopy10]

Mumtomax - 'There’s a way to avoid the Paula Radcliffe Way in the mornings by going round the back way from Sharnbrook through Thurleigh. Brings you into Bedford via Kimbolton Road. Can be in Bedford in about 20/25 minutes.' This is such useful information - thank you! My dd is in school in Bedford so I have to commute. It's great to hear you are happy there - I'm looking forward to the move.
Thanks Chaotica and MaxP - I didn't know Rushden was in the catchment area for Sharnbrook - it is good to know there is a backup re schools.
Kevincarrot - is there anything particular you weren't happy with or did it just not suit you? I have lived in pretty market towns and in Lewisham - I am not put off by superficial 'roughness' but I found parts of Bedford, just like Luton, to be really run down and dodgy. Bits of Rushden seem a bit scruffy to me but 'rough lite' in comparison and every town has a bit of this - I was in St Albans a move before last and it has its share of downtrodden areas.

ACurlyWurly and Lola Yes the lakes are a big draw the whole area looks like a good place to entertain little ones during school holidays. Still baffled as to why they are reducing trains as London commuters are forever moving further out along the train line as prices further in rise. Maybe they will revisit this when the new houses are built.

[MaxPaddyandHarry]

I think the bit of Rushden nearest to Bedfordshire is in the catchment for Sharnvrook, but not sure about Higham. Also schools change catchment areas from time to time.
We lived in St Albans, near the Abbey, Snoopy10 , quite a long while ago. On a visit recently I realised that away from the historic areas it is just like any other town, but with a hefty price tag.