Park Street near St Albans - How is it?

[bluejasmine00]

Dear ladies,

After a delightful stay in Jersey Farm, I am looking to buy a new house in St Albans or nearby areas (messy divorce .. long story).
I would have loved to buy in Jersey Farm/Marshalswick but my budget does not stretch for the kind of space I will need. I have seen a really great house in Mount Drive, Park Street which satisfies almost all my needs (there is no such thing as a perfect house, is there?) but have no knowledge of the area in general. The locality looks good on paper, but can anyone local shed some light on any pitfalls that I need to be aware of? Both my kids are already in Sandringham, hence school catchment is not really a factor for me.

I would like to know about the nature walks, communities, parks etc. in the area if possible. Honestly, I am not even sure of the questions to ask, so any insight will be amazing.

TIA

Park Street is a lovely village just south of St Albans - quiet and attractive with great access to some lovely country walks. My parents live there so I know it pretty well. It may be too quiet for some! There are a couple of pubs and a small parade of shops, including a Co-op, near How Wood station. Will you need to commute to London? The downside in that case (and the main reason it's cheaper) is lack of direct trains to London. Both Park Street and How Wood stations are stops on the shuttle between St Albans Abbey and Watford Junction. St Albans City station can be a good 20-30 minute drive away in rush hour.

It’s nice but you need to read up on the helioslough rail freight depot. They’ve been trying to build at park street for years and there is a big local campaign to stop it. Prob depends where you are buying.

Also try the school run at peak times - those roundabouts can be very busy.

Hi @irisetta, thanks so much for the information - most helpful. I occasionally need to travel to London but being in IT do not think will need to commute any time soon.
Can you please tell me what you mean it might be too quiet for some? I have aged enough to love a bit of peace and quiet, but have two preteens in tow. Do you reckon the area will be too sleepy for them?
Also, any information of parks and country walks will be most welcome. We currently live with the Jersey Farm Woodlands on our doorsteps, so would love to have the option of going on long walks and picnics.

Lovely place . The best walks are the gravel pits and the car park off smug oak lane will take you on a lovely riverside walk to where kids paddle at a Ford. It’s kind of idyllic in the summer. Lots of horses and green spaces. It’s a few minutes into St Albans city and Watford so convenient enough. Quite an ageing population I think . Kids might find it a bit sleepy but they can catch the bus into town if they’re secondary age. You might need to apply a little strategy to avoiding the traffic on the school run . My grandfather has lived there since dinosaurs roamed the Earth and will be leaving his house only in a box. I loved spending my summers there as a child.

Thanks a ton ladies, @Nats1984 and @Newgirls. Sounds like a great place to live IMHO, other than the school/office rush of course.
@Newgirls, the house that I like is in the north part of the town, from the map looks some way away from the proposed Helioslough rail freight depot. But I am sure there will be some disruption in terms of road congestion etc. Something to ponder over certainly. Thanks for raising this point.

@bluejasmine00

Hi *@irisetta*, thanks so much for the information - most helpful. I occasionally need to travel to London but being in IT do not think will need to commute any time soon. Can you please tell me what you mean it might be too quiet for some? I have aged enough to love a bit of peace and quiet, but have two preteens in tow. Do you reckon the area will be too sleepy for them? Also, any information of parks and country walks will be most welcome. We currently live with the Jersey Farm Woodlands on our doorsteps, so would love to have the option of going on long walks and picnics.

I won't lie, it is a little sleepy compared to central St Albans. However, as Nats1984 points out, it's very easy for teens to catch the bus to town, either to St Albans or Watford town centre. Plenty of buses and routes! If they are into horseriding, there are some excellent stables nearby, plus the Park Street pits (as they are known) are excellent for fishing, wildlife spotting and general exploring (former gravel pits, now a beautiful network of lakes and pathways). There are more lovely walks at How Wood station - you just cross the railway line and follow the footpaths. If you like I can PM you details of these and other great walks in the area.

Getting the kids to school may be hairy though, as others have said! You are definitely looking at a good half hour every morning.

Have you explored sandridge and wheathamstead? I’m sure you have. Would be easier to get to Sandringham and my guess similar prices to park street?

Also, have you looked at Wheathampsted? Probably cheaper than Sandridge etc and would definitely be easier to get the kids to school!

My Inlaws live there, it's lovely. If you need quick access to London, you could travel from nearby Radlett (5 min drive) or a 15 min drive to Elstree and Borehamwood ( we can use our Oyster/tap in/out) and a bit nearer to London. Thameslink can be expensive though. I have nephews of 11 and 15, there's loads to do especially if they're sporty.

@Newgirls

Have you explored sandridge and wheathamstead? I’m sure you have. Would be easier to get to Sandringham and my guess similar prices to park street?

Newgirls, snap!

😂

It won’t be too sleepy. I grew up near there (am actually up the road right now at my parents!) and there are tons of buses linking St Albans and Watford (which run past Park St). Or an Uber would only be about a tenner.
I actually think it’s a really good location as you get the countryside feeling but still with good links to some larger towns and great rail links into London and beyond.

Yes, I did actually consider Sandridge and Wheathampstead. I was even considering south Harpenden at one time. All of these are really good locations.

But Park Street works a bit better for my partner who needs access to M25, so it's going to be a compromise I am afraid. And I did not find a house that I like as much as I do the Park Street one (in my budget that is ) Myself and kids will have to survive the morning commute in the foreseeable future it seems .
@irisetta, can you please PM me the links, it will be really wonderful!

@MrPanks, good suggestion on Radletts and Elstree & Borehamwood, thanks for that.
@TuesdayRuby, that was my impression as well. Its just that I know almost nothing about this particular area, hence was getting a bit of a cold feet. Looks like there is nothing to worry about.

@bluejasmine00 , Radlett is gorgeous but super expensive (easily on a par with Harpenden). Elstree has its pricey areas as well, but Borehamwood may well be the most affordable (in parts)! Best of luck, and yes will pm you that info. 😊