Welwyn garden city vs Hitchin vs Hertford?

[lovecoffee1]

Hi,

I’m looking to relocate from London to Hertfordshire but it’s so big I don’t know where to start. I have a 2yo daughter so good primaries and secondaries schools are important. My partner and I work in Central London (Bank and old street) so would need to be close to Station. Budget is 650k for 3-4 bed house with garden (terraced, semi, detached , don’t mind)

We have visited all 3 of these places and Hitchin is by far our favourite and ticks all our boxes but just struggling to find anything in our budget.

Found lovely houses in Hertford too but a bit put of with the 50 mins commute to London.

My partner really likes the idea of Welwyn garden city as it seems you can get a lot of house for your money and very easy commute to London. We would likely be on the west side. But I’m less keen as I didn’t feel it had as much going on as hitchin and Hertford. Also forgive me if I’m wrong but heard schools are not great In particularly secondaries with the exception of monks walk but there’s no guarantee daughter will get a place there.

Any mums here can help me ? Anyone know the west side of wgc? What’s it like, are there stuff going on?

Need to find more info on schools, catchment areas, community , pros and cons to each of these places. ect To help us make this decision.

Thanks

Knebworth is 36 minutes into KX. I think there may be a 'slow train' but not often! North is Stevenage then Hitchen, I think it was 45 minutes when I lived in Hitchin? Really not long.

I think Hitchin and Hertford are good choices op, especially for schools. I'm not mad for St Albans because there is lots of traffic and it becomes jam packed at busy times.

I know all the areas you mention op, and I can say that WGC isn't rough. I nearly spat my tea out reading that!

No, I wouldnt say WGC is rough but there is a marked and visible increase in youth problems there. I am in a privileged position to see what is happening on the ASB front in Hertfordshire because of my job and I can see an increase in problems in WGC. Its a much bigger town though and that contributes to it.
I am much happier letting my teen sons walk home late at night in Hertford than I would be in WGC , thats for sure. Not rough but going through a bad patch with the young people's behaviour. Certainly not rough by London standards either

North is Stevenage then Hitchen, I think it was 45 minutes when I lived in Hitchin?

That's the slow train that stops everywhere. Fast one just stops at Stevenage and FPK, at peak times there are even ones direct to KX.

@BeijingBikini yes you're right. I moved away in 2008 and my memory is hazy of those awful sleep deprived commutes!

I moved to WGC from North London about a year ago. Yes, it's not as quaint as some parts of Hertford or Hitchin, but you definitely can't call it rough. The pub selection is limited and admittedly it's not the most exciting place to live in but it's super convenient and you get a lot of house for your money compared to Hertford or Hitchin. I love the nature around here, so many good walks and cycling routes. Before lockdown I was commuting to London and the trains were very frequent and mostly reliable.