Move near St Albans

[zcjtb43]

I grew up in St A and am really keen to move back to the area, with working from home it's now possible. Trouble is budget in one of the most expensive postcodes in the UK!

I have around £520/530. Main requirements are 3 bed (maybe squeeze a 2 bed if the right place), a garden, good pre school / schools, and countryside on the doorstep for regular dog walks. Don't need a drive but a non-hassle parking scenario would be appreciated (eg not city centre location).

Within around 20-30 mins from St A, I'm thinking a village / small town, with a food shop and maybe a few amenities but otherwise safe / quiet / rural.

Would appreciate your ideas!

Redbourn or Wheathampstead?

@yellowflowersintherain

Redbourn or Wheathampstead?

Like these ideas! particularly wheathampstead - my favourite place is Sandridge but wanted to widen the search with my ideas as I know with limited budget I may be lucky to have something for sale within this postcode.

Old Welwyn for character. Welwyn garden city.

If you want to be as close as possible to St A, then worth looking at London Colney/Colney Heath/Park Street/Frogmore. All sitting within the St A postcode but definitely more affordable! Especially if you're happy to do a bit of work.

There's this doer-upper in London Colney for example: www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/115931648#/?channel=RES_BUY
or this one: www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/116049395#/?channel=RES_BUY

Wheathampsted is really lovely, some gorgeous old properties, lovely countryside and a really pretty village, though I don't know about the schools.There's this gorgeous cottage, but you'd be compromising on garden space: www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/114107624#/?channel=RES_BUY
Also do consider Markyate - 15-20 mins from St Albans, very attractive village and right on the edge of the Chilterns, which is a stunning AONB. Good luck!

Also, if you are happy to go further out, there are some pretty villages in Bedfordshire that may be more affordable. Eg. there's this gorgeous character cottage in Eaton Bray, about 30 mins from St Albans. www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/115312304#/?channel=RES_BUY

[quote irisetta]Also, if you are happy to go further out, there are some pretty villages in Bedfordshire that may be more affordable. Eg. there's this gorgeous character cottage in Eaton Bray, about 30 mins from St Albans. www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/115312304#/?channel=RES_BUY[/quote]
Wow thank you so much for looking into this - some of the properties you found are amazing! It's quite reassuring to see the price tag! Definitely on the list!