Moving from London

[Whatshouldbemyusername]

Hi All

I live in London with my husband and 2 year old in a rented accommodation. We are looking to move to a commuter town next year so I wanted some advice in terms of best areas (great schools, safe, commute into London) within Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.

I'd really appreciate honest feedback and area recommendations from anyone who has insight on these two areas.

It's so overwhelming at the moment. Our budget is a house between £450k- £500k

TIA xx

Sorry you haven't had any responses, you might want to try reposting on the local boards for the areas or on property&DIY or chat, this is quite a quiet board.

What size of town are you after, what length of commute to London and what kind of 'feel' - e.g. Bedford, Luton, Watford and Milton Keynes (technically Bucks not Beds or Herts) are all reasonably sized large towns/small cities with lots of amenities and fast trains to London but quite mixed with poorer/rougher areas whereas places like St Albans, Hitchin, Welwyn Garden City are slightly smaller and much more 'naice' in MN parlance aka predominantly middle class. Or there are various properly small market towns on the slower lines into London as well e.g. Hertford, Ware, Letchworth Garden City, Harlington. Would you consider a village a short drive into the town/train station or do you want to be in the town centre/walking distance to the station?

Also when you say a house, do you need a 4 bed detached with garden or would a small 3 bed terrace do, and would house size be a priority over schools (and I assume we're talking state school not private?). Most schools in Bedfordshire are OK but not outstanding, whereas in Herts you have some of the top state secondaries in the country (Dame Alice Owens notably but also the grammars in Watford and St Albans has excellent schools as well, although I don't know your feelings on selective/grammar vs comp). There's quite a variation in house prices across the region, e.g. in Bedford town centre/near the station for your budget you could get quite a substantial house but the state secondary schools in particular in the town are not particularly great (there are better ones that serve the outlying villages around the town) and a lot of MNetters will tell you the town is 'disgusting',unsafe etc (personally I think it's fine, some rough spots but equally some nicer ones) https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/134339519#/?channel=RES_BUY

Whereas if you are thinking St Albans the schools are better/nicer town but a lot less house for your money:

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/134586659#/?channel=RES_BUY

Hope this helps!

Hertfordshire tends to be a lot more pricier than its neighbour, Bedfordshire. On your budget, I think Bedfordshire will be best for a reasonable sized family home - maybe somewhere like Flitwick or Leighton buzzard if you want a station.

Thank you @maxelly @Gateappreciation
A lot to think about x