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Original poster

What's it like to live in Berkhamsted?

26 replies

somewhereinlondon · 05/05/2010 09:09

Sorry in advance - I know a post was about this not too long ago. But it got very long and started to include other areas.
I am very intersted in this area only and wanted to get any other thoughts.

Can a £400 - 450k budget buy the 3-4 bedroom house/terrace with a garden?

Are there lot's of sports for children to be involved in?

Is it safe?

a friend (dont' shoot the messenger) said some areas a bit 'chav' - your thoughts??

anyone drive to london? I know the train commute is pretty reasonable.

OP posts:
Lara85 · 05/05/2010 10:10

Hi somewhereinlondon,

Having lived in Berkhamsted on and off for most of my life, I can't recommend it highly enough - it's a wonderful town for families and and very safe. Good schools, good transport links, beautiful countryside and a great selection of restaurants/pubs/cafes and more.

The train commute to London is pretty efficient and driving is fine off-peak, not so good at rush hour - you're very near both the M1 and M25>M4 depending which part of London you need to get to.

I run a community website for Berkhamsted (www.berkhamstedpeople.co.uk) where I'm sure people will be able to provide a bit more detail on some of your other questions if you don't find all the answers you need elsewhere.

Good luck!

Original poster
somewhereinlondon · 05/05/2010 21:50

Thanks Lara85 for the info, I have seen the website in a few google searches!

Can I ask why you have moved in and out of the area?

OP posts:
WinkyWinkola · 05/05/2010 21:54

Berkhamsted is lovely.

But it can be one big car park.

The high street seems to be chocka block most of the time. But aside from that, it's a lovely place.

I don't think you get especially good value for money in terms of property though. But perhaps that's not a concern.

Original poster
somewhereinlondon · 05/05/2010 23:29

better value for money than London?

OP posts:
Jajas · 05/05/2010 23:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WinkyWinkola · 06/05/2010 12:39

Yes, better value I guess. 3/4 bed Vic/Edwardian terrace for circa 4-450k.

It's those hills that get me though!

Original poster
somewhereinlondon · 06/05/2010 20:06

'brayers' ?

OP posts:
Jajas · 07/05/2010 11:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

giddywithglee · 07/05/2010 11:17

I'm Berkhamsted born and bred and have to say the town is great HOWEVER there is far too much in-filling, loads of extra houses have been built and the town is in danger of losing it's character.

Plus there are loads of city-types who've moved here with their non-working plastic wives and kids and are filling our once-unique town with costa coffees.

Don't get me wrong, I'm an ex-commuter myself, but locals are getting completely priced out of the housing market by people who are moving here to take advantage of the small-town-ness and it's ruining the town.

Apparently within local schools they are complaining about a new phenomena where children are having behavioural issues that can only be attributed to being brought up by au pairs rather than their parents...

Sorry, that turned into a rant. What I actually meant to say is that 4 generations of my family have lived here and even more of my husband's, and we wouldn't live anywhere else. We just wish some other people would move out!

southeastastra · 07/05/2010 11:19

i thought it was costa coffee land too when i've visited. does it have a park etc or is it just one high st?

giddywithglee · 07/05/2010 11:23

There are several lovely parks and it's surrounded by fields and woodland, including a lovely National Trust estate.

There are loads of little villages nearby too, some with award-winning pubs (I can think of at least 3 that have had recent mentions in either the Sunday Times or the Guardian Weekend magazine).

The local (Tory-run, of course) council just seem intent on ruining the place!

giddywithglee · 07/05/2010 11:24

Oh yes, and definitely don't move here if you have an aversion to 4x4s that have never been off-road. I live on a road with a primary school on it, and in the morning can't get the car out for work for all the yukky mummies in their big tractors blocking everyone in and ignoring the highway code!

Jajas · 07/05/2010 12:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

giddywithglee · 07/05/2010 12:04

sigh... I remember a time when you knew everyone in Berkhamsted because you'd been to school with them, or they'd been your rivals (ie they went to the boys or girls school and you went to Ashlyns)... ...

southeastastra · 07/05/2010 12:06

it's happening all over the london burbs now unfortunately, even my (chavvy) town has people who wouldn't dream of sending their kids to the local comps, they all have to be bussed out. locals cannot afford the house prices so get pushed out (to where i don't know) it's a very selfish society now.

Lara85 · 07/05/2010 13:29

Sorry for the slow response, just saw your reply! I grew up in Berkhamsted and have moved in and out of the area because jobs have taken me to different parts of the country - but my family has always remained there, and it's ideal commuting territory since I've worked in London.

Original poster
somewhereinlondon · 07/05/2010 15:18

We live in London and I like the idea of moving out - esp for raising children.

One concern is lack of activities.

We are so spoilt where we live in that we can walk or short bus/train ride away from every activity you could imagine - swimming, football, gymnastics etc. Four great parks all within 10 - 15 min walk. But it's city living and education here scares me.
We don't drive, so a move would mean buying a car.

Would I feel 'lost' out of london?

Are people welcoming or are you always an outsider? if you are commuting do you get to feel part of the community? or just a weekender?
Are shops open on Sunday's?
Is there a local NCT network?

Tell me more?

OP posts:
Jajas · 07/05/2010 20:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
somewhereinlondon · 07/05/2010 20:27

Ashridge estate looks gorgeous

OP posts:
WinkyWinkola · 08/05/2010 18:33

Somewhere in London, there's loads of stuff in Herts in the Berkhamsted/Hemel area.

My ds does karate, swimming and ballet. That's enough but he could do football, tennis, cricket, street dance etc.

Stacks. And a good NCT network too.

SugarSkyHigh · 08/05/2010 21:01

there's gymnastics, ballet, riding, football, karate, art classes, kumon (!) tennis, canal fields park plus other parks too, absolutely everything I would say for children's activities.

What, however, are the "chav" areas?

Your budget will buy you what you want. And there's always Northchurch!

SugarSkyHigh · 08/05/2010 21:01

oh yes and a good swimming pool!

SugarSkyHigh · 08/05/2010 21:02

and a fab cinema!
ok I'll stop now

WinkyWinkola · 08/05/2010 21:45

And, you know, once you move out of London (even though you're only 30 mins away on the train), you don't miss it.

I drive back into London and think I miss it. And then I try to park. And lug everything and the dcs to my friend's house from where I've parked. And listen to them bitching about crap schools because they can't afford the house across the road that would get their kids into a better school.......

London won't go anywhere. We still go in for all the entertainment. And you can always move back if you really miss it.

ixxie · 09/05/2019 21:49

Why are these messages so old, 9 years ago

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