Views from people who actually live in STEVENAGE

[jennyge]

Live in London but seen town called Stevenage not far.
New town not great lot of shops closed like all towns but old town ok as got some nice eating places etc.
Stevenage more reasonable than London and had enough of London.
Anyone know Stevenage who actually lives there now and can tell me about it?

I've only ever driven through Old Stevenage and it looks very nice. Lots of countryside on your doorstep, villages nearby. Close to the A1M so transport links good. Also close to the Lister hospital. I don't rate the new town however, although very handy for shops (especially the retail parks). There is a nice big park called Fairlands which is very nice but I'd probably look at the surrounding villages if looking to move or Old Stevenage. Stevenage is just very bland in my opinion and some parts are pretty rough.

Grew up in Stevo and left at 18 thinking it was dreadful. 20 years later I'm desperate to get back. We are selling up at the moment to move home from about 40 minutes away. Most of my family are still in the surrounding villages. 25 minutes to Kings X, plus good links to A1M.

Old Town is lovely. Picturesque high street with lots of bars and restaurants. Leisure Park has more and lots of kids activities. The New Town has never been wonderful but it's fine for shopping and there is also the Roaring Meg retail with with plenty to choose from.

Old Town is expensive but some lovely properties and good schools. The older estates are good for a bargain but my experience is to avoid St Nicks, Shephall, Broadwater. The newer estates are very nice, and if you have a London budget, look at Knebworth, Walkern and surrounding villages. Or Hitchin which is lovely.

Stevenage has cycle paths and green space everywhere so while the 50s builds might not be beautiful, it's really not a concrete jungle.

I don't live in Stevenage but am in one of the villages. It's the same as anywhere of the same size, some nice bits, some not so nice. It's brilliant for DIY places if you buy a doer upper. Good shops. Old town nicer than new town.
I'd say it's a good choice for getting out of London.

I don't live in Stevenage so can't advise on the residential areas, but I am nearby in N Herts. It'll depend what you're looking for, of course, but if you're a London commuter, it's a great station with lots of pretty fast trains into Kings Cross. Although the town centre is pretty run down, there are lots of good big retail park stores in the area, including having a flagship concept M&S. It's got a surprising amount of green space and (little known fact) was built based on a Dutch planning style so has a huge network of cycle lanes. The hospital is the main hospital for the region, so you're close to the A&E and all the clinics you might need. As well as the council leisure facilities, it's got some good private gyms and pools. It's got a big cinema, but the theatre isn't much cop. It's a pretty practical town, not much of an arts scene.

Basically there are plenty of facilities and plenty to do. The old town and other areas in the region are prettier and have more character. You will need a car - even within Stevenage, the retail/leisure parks are where a lot of the action is. And if you were in the old town or similar, you'd be too far to walk to the station, although cycling would be fine.

People will always be snobby about Stevenage though - if you decide to move there, prepare for people to act like you've moved to a slum, even though you haven't.

I would avoid stevenage. I made a huge mistake moving from london into here. very low level of education, poor high street services, expensive, drugs everywhere, unfriendly and inadequate services. always conscious of thefts and troubles. people lie to put in trouble. ALDI store manager took my parking tickets to cancel the ones that were issued by mistake (staying within time limit) and didn't cancel them .. now i am chased by debt collection. seeing people in stevenage give her no opportunity for the benefit of doubt. loads of other examples so I can't wait to move out.