Is Hatfield nice?

[hatfieldmover]

Hi, we're looking at moving to Hatfield from North London as it's much cheaper, but are wondering if this is a nice area to look at?

Hatfield, Doncaster?

If it's Hatfield Hertfordshire I wouldn't, but I haven't lived there for over 45 years so it may be different now. It was quite run down and nothingy then.

If it’s Hatfield in Herts then no. I grew up in Herts and it was known as rough… I think it still is. There was one tiny area of it that is the original old town; around Hatfield House, that is very quaint. But I think generally it’s quite rough. Lots of students as there’s the uni there. I suppose quite good for commuting. You could look at smaller places nearby like Essendon or London Colney, which have a more village feel and less students. Depends on what sort of commute you need really. x

We found an amazing house in Hatfield, after the viewing we went for lunch and spent an hour in the town centre... completely ruled it out (despite the house being perfect)

It's awful

I grew up in Hatfield, Hertfordshire and it was a lovely town then. I have lovely memories of growing up there.
This was 40 + years ago though. Whenever I have been to visit family in St Albans and gone to Hatfield for a look round, it's all gone totally downhill. There just doesn't seem to be anything nice about it now.

If I were you I would look elsewhere.

Hatfield is over run with students and a really abysmal town centre parade. I really wouldn't. Everywhere around it is so much better. How about Welwyn Garden City?

Even Stevenage is better nowadays

Hatfield garden village was great raising kids in late 2000s. Green lanes school was lovely. Never went to Hatfield centre though but drove to Welwyn garden city instead.

Awful. Try Hitchin, St Albans or Welwyn

I have a friend who moved there, to the new homes on the airfield. I don't think she ever goes into Hatfield. However, she's got a lovely house, and couldn't have afforded anything as big in St Albans or Hitchin. I guess it depends on what your priorities are, and for her, she wanted enough room to bring up her family.

I lived in Hatfield for 12 years. It was ok. There's not loads to do and depending where you are, it's a long way from the station. It does have good links to the A1 and close to Welwyn Garden City for reasonable shops but it's a bit of a Mish mash of a place really.

I now live in North Stevenage and it's lovely. Semi rural and good transport links. I'd look a bit wider really. Obviously St Albans is a good option if budget allows. Similarly, Hitchin.

Welwyn Garden City is nice. Hatfield less so I'd say.

The town "centre" is awful, the Galleria is pretty vacant. There are some nice areas in garden village part which is less studenty. I'd go for Welwyn GC though

No, it's awful. I'd been to the Galleria with my parents growing up and had heard of Hatfield House so when we were looking to buy in Herts I thought Hatfield itself was worth a visit. The town centre is run down and depressing. We took one look and got back in the car to go on to Welwyn instead. If you want more for your money and never plan to go into Hatfield itself, then that would probably work.

Hatfield town is either studentsville or some really deprived postwar estates. A few years ago I think it was in the top 10 places for child poverty. Hatfield Garden Village, Salisbury Village (the estate built on the airfield) and around Hatfield house are decent but you'd want to drive to either St Albans or Welwyn Garden City to do anything. You could have a look at some of the surrounding villages...

Yes I agree with this. I moved there with my first husband in the early 90's to a lovely little new build estate next to the uni. All young professionals and no children. It was a great place to live for us. Large affordable maisonette and had everything we needed. We both worked in London at the time and often drove in due to my then husband's job. But eventually people started to sublet to students and it changed a lot. We divorced and I sold up and moved further north. I wouldn't live there now. The Galleria is not what it was. The town centre is awful. I recently drove past with my son to show where his adult sister lived when she was born and I was quite shocked at how this lovely little spot had degenerated. I think it could be a lot better but it's such as odd place with no flow if that makes sense!

I lived there for around 15 years... I liked it. Either Old Hatfield or Birchwood are nice areas. I had my children there and had a nice life and made lots of friends. It's cheap (er) to buy than surrounding towns, but so close to nice places to visit- St Albans, Welwyn, Hertfordshire, Stevenage and close to London. We moved back up north to be nearer family, but I miss it.

Hatfield is referred to as Ratfield by those that know it. Its absolutely horrible, close but not quite as bad as Luton.

I’m thinking of moving to hatfield too from north london. It has an amazing park called Stan borough which has the most incredible children’s water feature play/area and a lake where you can swim and do water activities. And they are going to be knocking down the town centre and building a fancy new one in the near future. The houses are affordable and it’s really easy commute into old street where I work. I think it has potential..

Stanborough Park is Welwyn, not Hatfield and it's not really walkable, even from that side of Hatfield due to the main roads.

Make that Welwyn Garden City, it's not the same as Welwyn itself.

And they are going to be knocking down the town centre and building a fancy new one in the near future.
That old chestnut - don't bank on it. They've spent years saying they'll improve the town centre, and have made various attempts over the years... and yet it continues to decline! However, Hatfield is convenient for Old Street, it's good value, and it's easy to get to nice places from there, so I would consider it for those reasons.

Hatfield has some good elements. Hatfield house is lovely great cafe and good events. The uni is very smart and has an amazing concert hall. The new estates are very smart and close to David Lloyd etc. Short drive or bus to St Albans, Welwyn and lovely villages.

but yes the town centre shops and galleria are very tired and need to be redeveloped. Some individual shops are ok but the structure around them is tired and not fit for purpose

I grew up there in the 80s/90s in the garden village area and went to Green Lanes school. It was actually a nice enough town then with a thriving town centre - an independent toy shop, book shop, grocers, Woolcos and numerous others. It was an ugly post-war town for the most part, but had a sense of optimism. Then sadly in 1992, the town's main employer the British Aerospace factory closed down, and Hatfield has been in major decline since then - I haven't been there for around 7 years now, but last time I went I was shocked at how bad it was. Basically you wouldn't want to be walking around there after dark. I guess there is a reason the houses seem so affordable! If you lived in the old town and commuted for work, it would probably be ok, but why move somewhere where there are no decent local facilities?

And yes, the council have been promising to regenerate the town centre for decades now, so don't hold you breath for that!