Does this place exist?

[babymakesfive]

Hi! We're back to the UK after a number of years overseas, and frantically trying to find the place to move to!

Criteria:

• Picturesque/charming/very pretty town or large village
• Great public schools (DC will be joining in September so will need more than one good option as they will surely be waitlisted). DC in primary now but good secondary options a bonus
• With a buzzing high street or near a city that has lots to do
• Within reasonable commuting distance from London (the City) for a 2 or 3x a week journey in
• Safe
• Friendly and welcoming locals!
• Nature nearby for hikes etc

We've looked at St Albans and Winchester, would love other suggestions. Thank you in advance!

I hear Solihull is a great place to live, the commuting time is most likely a deal breaker, though.

Bishop Stortford is a lovely town, with the best state school in the country (I believe its Ofsted rated outstanding) . Close to London, not too busy but a pretty vibrant high street

Hi @babymakesfive it sounds like we might be leaving the same place in the US with the same amount of children and same search criteria!

I have some experience of the areas you are considering so feel free to PM if you'd like.

We are thinking of Hitchin but not yet able to visit. Wondering if creative ex-Londoners would fit in here?

@Canihaveafairygodmotherpls

Hi *@babymakesfive* it sounds like we might be leaving the same place in the US with the same amount of children and same search criteria!

I have some experience of the areas you are considering so feel free to PM if you'd like.

We are thinking of Hitchin but not yet able to visit. Wondering if creative ex-Londoners would fit in here?

Sent PM!

@babymakesfive

😂 the old Sunday roasts! Will definitely look at Winchester again, I’m just concerned with how oversubscribed the schools are there. St Albans was buzzing when we went last week! As was Winchester town centre. It was great to see!

St Albans is awful. Very samey type of person. Nightmare to drive around and just packed with people squeezed between the overpriced market stalls and generic shops .

Hitchen,Harpenden, Berkhamsted and Boxmoor.
Close to Luton, Watford , Milton Keynes and London for bigger shopping areas.

Takes us 40 mins to drive round to Richmond .

Beaconsfield , Marlow, Pinner , Gerrards Cross if you want a shorter drive to Richmond . And close to Uxbridge , Kingston for bigger shopping .

@babymakesfive I've pm'd you :)

@babymakesfive where did you choose??