Borehamwood?

[Modestlyglazed]

I'm thinking of moving to the outskirts of London and commuting in. I know there's lots of beeb people passing through, but what's Borehamwood/Elstree like to live in? Parks? Schools? Community?

I think Southeastastra lives in that neck of the woods - hopefully you'll spot her on a thread somewhere!

Borehamwood high street I find quite depressing tbh, seems to be mostly bookies and pound shops. Though there is a shopping centre off it which is nice.

I'm not sure if it has secondary schools? I know a lot of children from there go to school in other towns.

Not sure if there is a separate town centre for Elstree or not....

In general it seems to be an area of extremes in terms of housing, iyswim. No idea what it is like to live there!

Thanks GrapefruitMoon. I got a similar impression from the high street, but was hoping an insider could reveal the gem that lay behind the facade. Shall keep an eye out for Southeastastra.

We stayed in a hotel there once, one of those Gamekeeper type inn places with a Harvester (or something like that) attached. For fear of sounding like a snob, there was a lot of unsavory people in the outdoor drinking area.

Was not that impressed by it tbh. Although there was a lovely country park nearby and a posh school.

Haberdashers boys school (highly regarded boys private school) pretty local (Elstree).

I think a lot of the Borehamwood area is quite dreggy (I know this is a huge generalisation but that is what people more in the know then me have said).

Has a very nice sports centre called the venue - used to drive miles to take my daughter there for the sat am swimming class.

Think Elstree is far more highly regarded.

Yes Aldenham Country park is lovely but it's not really in Borehamwood, ie the sort of park you would walk to with your kids every day. there are lots of nice places near Borehamwood!

I'm a born and bred Borehamwood girl although have since moved on but still visit friends and family there. I think its fair to say it pretty much like most London suburbs, it has it good and bad areas and it very much depends on which part you live in. Some of the estates, Organ Hall Farm, The Horses Home Estate and the Cantebury Road Estate are pretty grim but there are some nice roads around. Because it has a syagogue and a Jewish School (the old Hillside school), there is a big jewish community.

Schools are not fantastic. The system has recently changed from the 3 school system to 2 and had meant that the senior school is very big and obviously has to accomodate a wide range of pupils from different backgrounds. Those that can afford it usually send their kids to schools outside the area.

The high street does look depressing but the Boulevard shopping centre just off of it is much better. The town has all the facilities you could want really and being so close to London makes commuting so much easier (about 20 mins to kings X)

Pubs are very variable, some have a reputation for drugs and to be honest I'd never go out drinking there as you can get trouble, but again no different from any other big town.

So, a mixed bag really. If you can afford the vast price tag, Elstree is a better but houses there tent to start around the 600K+ mark!
Hope that helps!
P.S. Because of the Big Brother House, eviction nights bring in lots of youths into the high street but rarely causes too many problems.

Just realised I sound really old by saying 'brings youths into the highstreet'! How funny!

Ah yes, the Youths!

Thanks for all your insights, ladies of MN.

Wishing we could afford Elstree, earplugs. Really useful to know about the recent change in schooling system there also.

I forgot BB house was there. Must be quite an event.

We'll have a look around different parts of Borehamwood, to see what's on offer. The commute time is still really attractive, and we're not really a pub family... but def a parks and walking fan - so i must do a little leg work and research.

Thanks again.

it's nice where i live! houses on the southside are nearer shops/train links. also my ds goes to the local school but he loves it and i didn't want him to be bussed out of the area. neice/nephew have also both gone on to get good drgrees from same school. primarys are oversubscribed though atm.

if you drive there are tons of places to visit all very near like st albans/watford (for shopping) etc

southeastastra what school is it?

and was going to say there are lots of other places with short commute to Kings x/moorgate - potters bar (good state seniors) , hertford ( v nice), welwyn garden city etc. What about these as an alterantive?

The senior school is called Hertswood. It's the only senior school in the town I think. Nothing wrong with it, just is very large and so has a wide mix of pupils to cater for. I much preferred it when you had two to choose from but then I would as I went to one of them! (and did pretty well if I say so myself!)

I agree with southeastastra, it is brilliantly located. I was always nipping to Watford and St Albans for shopping or Brent Cross come to think of it! And Radlett just up the road has got some nice restaurants if you ever get a babysitter!

Plenty of parks and places for walks so no probs there.

Just spend plenty of time looking round to work out which parts you like best really.

Good luck with the search!

Southside... noted! Great to hear you and your family have done well out of the local schools, southeastastra.

Thanks for the alternatives stressed, Borehamwood is first choice purely for its ease to get to the jubilee line in north london. But not ruling anything out as it's early days, so i'll keep looking around.

Cheers again earplugs. Good to hear there's some diversity at the school also - i prefer a more eclectic environment myself. And thanks for the well wishes!

Can I just add my bitteth? I think that where you are moving from may be relative to how you fing BHW. I found that the best part is being near enough to London, yet far enough away to enjoy the space and community of a small town. I moved from an area in London where parking was a nightmare, built up and unsettling to have the children playing outside with their neighbours. Felt very edgy, compared to now.

Lots to do locally in terms of 'quality family time'. Spend time feeding ducks, rambling, days out, farms that was lacking in London. Watford, St Albans, Welwyn, Radlett all offer closeby interest. What is colloquially known as the 'village' is actually nice and purposeful. Maaaaaaaaaaaaaasive 24hr Tesco and local family businesses. Yes, there are nicer places to live, but dont regret moving here.

I work in Zone 2 in London and travel without problems. Would suggest that you come and spend some time here and give BHW a chance - its rep betrays its reality. For me anyway. Good Luck!

So glad you added your bitteth, Rendered. It's great to hear such a glowing review! I was brought up in a place with loads of space, and am currently living in a built up area of London also, so really missing a less hurried life. Thanks!

southeastastra and others!
I am currently looking at a house swap to shenley road? Is anyone able to tell me if this is a nice part and what the local primarys are like
really appreciate any feedback
thank you