Thoughts on St Albans

Radiantsoul

St Albans is lovely and I used to rent there, but moved elsewhere to buy. You don't really get a lot of house for your money, especially if you live close to the station or the cathedral. And if you are driving to the station and parking that is going to increase journey times into London.

Even for that money you might be limited as to what you can get and it is not an area in which I can see prices falling(the quick journey times are combined with a greenbuilt which limit the supply of housings - there are relatively few newbuild type places in the area which are depressing prices in much of the UK).

I agree with others that Harpenden is also worth a look. It is much smaller and greener. It is also one stop further away from London which can mean it is easier to get a train. Prices are probably even higher though.

In terms of places to live St Albans is great, it is very green with lovely shops and an interesting market. There is a small theatre, plenty of pubs(it is the home of camera), lots of cafes and restaurants(although most are Italian), quaint shops and a really interesting market.

blue_monkey_2

Unclepetey wrote: »

Thanks everyone - I should have said what we might be looking for.

I work in the City so a train into Moorgate, Farringdon, Cannon St etc would be ideal. We'd probably like an older house rather than new - Victorian or Edwardian.

Thanks for the tip about Harpenden - we'll have a look at that.

Already have one little one so good schools are a must...

Thanks again

Hi C, then in this case you should choose the line that goes via Stevenage as this goes into Kings X. I used to work in Farringdon so I would walk to Moorgate (5 mins) and there is a train that serves the Hertford North line, or Kings X. (look the lines up on the trainline.com) or Finsbury park and get the tube or bus from there. Not sure where you work but I also used to go into Liverpool Street as this is quite Central and I'd walk to Farringdon Area from there too (25 minutes) or the bus - 3 minutes, LOL, so you would need to look for Bishops Stortford/Harlow/Broxbourne all in easy reach of the M25/M11/A14 depending on where north you have to go.

For schools I guess everyone has their own choices so look into these on the OFSTED website, if you child has additional needs then these would be spelt out but a small village school is better than a big town school from personal experience and from speaking to others.

Likewise you'll find lots and lots of old houses in the countryside. If you multimap Stevenage and zoom out you'll find rolling countryside within 2 miles of the town centre, there is a lot of choice to be honest. You could choose Cuffly for example, or Goffs Oak - they are quite expensive but still quite and small but are served with the train.

Just my opinion of course but I'd say multimap the area and zoom out and come for a weekend visit to the area and see what takes your fancy, view some houses at the same time and get a feel for the area you fancy. I think you can usually tell from first impressions.

silvercar

You could look further inwards. Radlett and Elstree are on the train line straight into Moorgate and Farringdon and the fares would be a lot cheaper.

Also older houses within your budget.

meester

blue_monkey wrote: »

Hi C, then in this case you should choose the line that goes via Stevenage as this goes into Kings X.

Doesn't it make quite a big difference where exactly he works?

It's a fair journey from King's Cross to Cannon Street for instance, an office that's convenient for King's Cross is not convenient for Cannon Street.

Obviously Cannon Street is not going to be a goer if you want to go oop north, but how about Liverpool Street? Much cheaper.

Unclepetey

Thanks very much for everyone's replies.

I work near Barbican and the Museum of London so Farringdon is probably the closest mainline station.

carolt

Trains from St Albans go into Farringdon. Radlett is far more expensive than St Albans. Elstree is pretty horrible.

Stick to St Albans.

silvercar

carolt wrote: »

Trains from St Albans go into Farringdon. Radlett is far more expensive than St Albans. Elstree is pretty horrible.

Stick to St Albans.

You may be right about Radlett, can only find 3 older 4 bed properties in Radlett, excluding Shenley which is too far from the station.

I think Elstree is nice, plenty of greenery (on green belt) and good transport links by road and rail.

Can see 5 properties that would fit your description. Again avoid those that are really in Borehamwood, rather than Elstree. At your price range you want Elstree, not B'wood.

Schools may be an issue. Primary schools are good in Radlett (choice of 2) and Elstree (village school). State secondaries mean going to Watford Grammer (you would be in catchment area) from Elstree or Radlett or ST Albans schools from Radlett. Private schools in the area are very good, including Haberdashers.

blue_monkey_2

Moorgate is nearer Barbican than Farringdon. Likewise it is 5 minutes from LS to Barbican cutting through the big bank that is there (where the Ice Rink is in the winter). It is a longer walk from Farringdon past Smithfield, I used to walk into St John Street (the top end) from LS because there is good parking at the Leisure Centre at Broxbourne - it was cheaper to be a member of the gym to get free parking than it was to use the BR car park but I think that this has since gone. My boss used to get the mainline into Farringdon and there were always problems on it (but that could have changed).

I'd suggest that you go to the trainline and pull the trainmaps for the entire area and then have a look on rightmove for houses near the station - this way you'll get a feel for what you want rather than us arguing over what is better. Then you can ask again and we can give pointers for that area and what is good/bad about it. Something might jump out of you that you had not considered or you will find a property you love. There are so many stations along those lines, some places are a bit rougher than others but the prices of the houses will tell you than in all fairness. I do know there is free station parking at Watton as I've used it, sometimes little thinks help and parking at £6 a day is £120 a month that you could save by not having to take the car in. I am not sure of the other car parks though. I think you would be best taking a look at the trainline maps and sitting down with a map book and finding out how easy it will be to get up north to see the In Laws and go from there.

There is also a place called Stanstead Abbots - nice big old houses there too, that is on the line going into Liverpool Street. Cheshunt is a bit rough now so I would avoid anywhere from then on going into London but Broxbourne is nice and sought after. As is Nazeing, it is very sought after, you can then get the train from Broxbourne but check out the parking first if ou intend on driving. There are a lot of places really if money is no object. You could even consider Cambridge because it is an hour on the train and again, you'll get more from your money on the outskirts.

nollag2006

I live in Harpenden, and really like it. Schools are excellent, and its got a much more intimate feel that St Albans.

You are only 5 mins away from St Albans on the excellent 24 hour train service too. Other big advantage is that you usually get a seat on the morning rush hour trains, while there's very little chance of that by the time the train gets to St Albans.

Harpenden is much more expensive than St Albans though. You will struggle to get a 4 bed here for much under £800 in a decent area (avoid Southdown and Batford)

Giraffeseeker

I grew up in St Albans. Marshalswick is a fantastic residential family area, Skyswood is a good primary school (there is a Catholic Primary school opposite as well). Beaumont was always considered a good secondary school, as were the two single sex schools.