Single mom moving to Putnoe Bedford with toddler?

[Amera93]

My time in london is up! I found a place in Bedford that Ill be renting with my toddler. The area is called Putnoe and despite my research Im not getting much on that area. Is it any good? Is Bedford anygood? Ive visited it a few times and it seems ok people seem nicer than London anyways. Ive heard alot of bad things about Bedford but don t want to cross it off my list without getting more info. Please help! I m due to move within the next 6 weeks!

Thankyou!!!!!!!

Some parts of
Putnoe are very nice some not so - so really depends where you will be living. Lower schools Hills and Hazeldene are very good. There is a good toddler group run on a Tuesday morning at Woodside Church. Bedford town centre is not great but like anywhere these days. The river is lovely and there are some great restaurants. Lots of lovely parks Mowsbury near Putnoe or Bedford Park.

My children are older but I think it is a great place to live. Also train only 1 hour to London.

Putnoe is a lovely area of Bedford. I was brought up in neighbouring Brickhill.
There will be plenty of groups and activities for you and your child to enjoy.
Definitely go for it and I hope you enjoy living there. I moved away but would love to move back.

Putnoe is OK - although I'd class is as suburbia rather than rural living.

I've lived in Bedford for almost 14 years now (I lived in London and Cambridge beforehand). I quite like it here - especially the fact that there are far fewer tourists. Both my DC have always lived here (they are 11 and 13) and seem happy enough.

I don't mind the town centre - the central library has some activities/groups for pre-school children. The coffee shop in the library serves great coffee - and is reasonably priced.

The schools are currently in the middle of switching from a three tier system to a two tier system. Which makes things a bit uncertain - especially for older children. However this should all have sorted itself out by the time your toddler gets to the appropriate age, so don't let it worry you.

Thankyou for all the advice!!!
I don't understand why there are 3 tiers could someone explain this to me please. I'm worried I won't have places to take my toddler as he grows up, his tuning 3 in June, in London there's lots to do, is that the same in bedford? I'll be moving near Bedford heights. Any particular nurseries I should apply to or avoid? Having lived in London my entire life I'm worried I might feel isolated in Bedford I'm 25 but I'm more of a indoor kind of person esp as I'm a single mom.

Appreciate the help! X

Schools have been 3 tier, ie, lower school Year R to Year 4, middle school Year 5 to year 8 and upper school year 9 to year 11 and then sixth form(years 12 and 13)
They are one of the last places to got 2 tier, ie, primary school year R to year 6 and then secondary year 7 to 11 and then 12 and 13

Don't worry about this for your son. It will all be sorted by the time he gets theough the school system.

Not sure where Bedford heights is? There is a street called Putnoe Heights I think, is that it?

Anyway there are plenty of busses to town etc and lots of activities at Putnoe Heights church for toddlers.
Get to the library and I'm sure they will be able to give you loads of suggestions.

Although not really rural living, you are nearer the countryside than you think. Just beyond Mowsbury Park is the 'countryside' easily doable if you like walking.

It isn't rural living at all. Putnoe is part of Bedford, which is a large town, there is loads to do. Transport links are good too.

I'm near Wentworth drive in Putnoe. I understand the 3 tier system now, thankyou, hopefully this will be resolved by the time my lil one grows up. How are the people in Bedford? When I last visited Bedford I saw many ethnic groups which was nice. We have that in London but people here are always in rush and not very polite. Hoping Bedford isn't like that. Are there any parts of Bedford I should avoid?

Thankyou all! X

Hello Mum moving to Putnoe 7 years ago :-)
I'm Stephen from Colorado, USA
I lived in Putnoe from 1959 through 1960. My mother was from Yorkshire and my father was a yank who was stationed at the local Air Force Base
I went to the boys school in Putnoe but got kicked out because I used a word that is acceptable here in America but not in England. I was wearing my little wolf shorts on a very cold day and the cold wind blew with my pants and they told the teacher that I froze my fanny.
I was not quite 5 years old so I didn't know what I was saying :-)
If you moved to put no I hope you had or are having very good and positive experiences. Other than the boys school, all my memories in Bedford are wonderful.
I hope all is well for you and your family!
Stephen Pearcy - half breed Brit