Moving to Hatfield?

[CHGri]

Hello all, my fiancé and I are currently in a pretty small flat in South Ealing and are itching to have a bit more space to entertain/live/start a family. We're in our 30s and also just a bit tired of London life!

Our budget realistically caps us at £600-£650k (more likely the lower end given the stamp duty rises) but we are also to get a house that looks beautiful and that we could feel proud of. A lot of the beautiful housing stock in places like St Albans, Hitchin and Harpenden are just out of our budget and we're not sure it's worth living in those places but compromising on a house we don't like the look of.

Hatfield could be a good alternative but we've read so much about how awful the town is! Our thinking is there'd be enough to walk to, to keep us entertained ad hoc e.g. nice gardens in Hatfield (events happening there) and a local pub. Anything more we wanted we could easily get to St Albans etc. We never go out during the week anyway and a lot of the time cook a nice dinner at home on Fridays so we don't need pumping nightlife!

Would really appreciate your thoughts on whether this would be a fair compromise and whether you think we'd regret it! Thank you :)

Yes it is. Depending on where in Hatfield OP moves to St Albans schools can be an option. There’s also Chancellors in Brookmans Park.

scarcely! we are 550m from the school which is nearest to Hatfield and are now out of catchment. Which schools are you thinking of?

id rather live in a less desirable house/street in my preferred area. Hatfield and Welwyn are fine, but could be a shock to the system if you’re used to living in South Ealing.

I found this property in St Albans, and although it may not be in the prettiest street it is in a fantastic area in the heart of St Albans with all the amenities on your door step including excellent primaries. The wider immediate half mile radius is specifically where the affluent liberal types from London move to - it’s not the ‘suburban mindset’ end of town…..

In all honestly, a pretty house in Hatfield or Welwyn is most likely out of your budget too, so this could get you into a great area and out of your tiny flat. You can upgrade to a prettier house in future…..

The only potential issue is the house might be too small, but if not it could be a winner?
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/159225356

Agree with PP - there are actually some nice bits of Hatfield, particularly in Old Hatfield. You could also look at Welham Green which is the next stop and closer to Brookmans Park which is lovely.

If your commute is important I’d seriously consider Potters Bar. You can get to Finsbury Park in 12 minutes and trains are pretty frequent. Has some excellent primary schools too. This house would be within budget and looks like a decent enough family home?

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/159076280

Wouldnt recommend Hatfield - Tring, Essendon, WGC or Berkhampstead are nicer.

I would rule out Essendon unless you want to spend all the time in the car! There's nothing there, and would add time and expense to commuting as would need to drive (and park) to a station