Hemel Hempstead move

[Kkma5159]

Hi all,

We are considering moving to Hemel Hempstead a couple of roads behind the Asda. Not sure what area this would be called. What are people's views/experiences of this area? Does anyone know what schools are good around here and the area's general reputation. Seems decent value especially as we're moving from London.
Were tempted by St Albans but the same budget gets much smaller houses especially near Fleetville which is where we saw some properties also. We've seen some people's opinions about the new town not being the prettiest (very subjective I know!) but has anyone moved there and changed their opinion of the area?

Many thanks!

Hemel town centre isn’t very pretty unfortunately but there are lots of activities for DC. Cinema, snow centre, Rock climbing, sports centre etc. The trainline is direct to Euston and it’s right on the M1 so good transport links. I don’t know the housing in the town centre (near Asda) very well but Boxmoor is lovely and Fields End is too.
St Albans is more desirable so you definitely get far less house for your money there. Fleetville is v popular, great schools etc.
Do you need primary or secondary schools?

Just above Asda there are a couple of roads of lovely Victorian/Edwardian houses and then some newer ones further up the hill.
The closest Primary there would probably be Broadfield - not sure I would pick that but, to be fair, I haven't got recent intel since it academised. Years ago, the (separate) infant school was fab but the juniors was ropey (DH took a football team there to play and was horrified by the behaviour of both the boys and the parents).
For Secondaries, it entirely depends exactly where your house would be. Lower down the hill towards Town, you might get Hemel School (best bet by far). Towards Old Town (pretty High Street there) and you'd get Laureate (new Academy and is fighting to pick itself up from some rough years previously). The further up the hill (east) you go, you're heading towards Adeyfield School - wouldn't be on my list, I'm afraid.

As a pp said, Boxmoor is the nicest area by far, I think. Nice little primary school but it's only one-form entry so you have to be near to get in. South Hill School is popular too. Don't stray into Chaulden.
Felden and up towards Bovingdon is nice but v expensive. Bovingdon itself is nice but beware of the traffic coming back down the hill at key times of day.
What about Berkhamsted? Market town vibe - much posher than Hemel but correspondingly expensive.
Tring is upcoming - in fact, has probably arrived.

Boxmoor and Leverstock Green are the best areas in Hemel, the rest of it leaves a lot to be desired. Schools wise The Hemel School is by far the best in the area. But in all honesty if you could find another area to live I would!

I lived around this way for many years!

As per PP, Boxmoor and Leverstock green were considered to be the more desirable areas, additionally Apsley with the lock and train station… but I have friends spread out all over including town centre, Woodhall Farm etc. and never really had much trouble or anything.

St. Albans has always been “posh” so expect to get less for your money there, as well as any surrounding areas like Harpenden, Berkhampstead etc.

I couldn’t afford Hemel myself and ended up further out towards Dunstable / MK way