Hertfordshire... help!

northern_at_heart

I need some advice from someone who knows the area better than I do! My partner works in Hemel Hempstead and I'm starting a job in central London in a few weeks, so we're looking to move from Aylesbury to somewhere nearer his work, where I can commute easily into London. We're going to be renting, and our budget is £800.

He doesn't want to live in Hemel as being a teacher he doesn't want to see his kids all over the place at the weekend! We thought maybe Watford, but so many people have told me that it’s a bit rough that it's put me off a bit. My partner isn't keen on that at all. He thinks Harpenden would be nice but from what I've seen of it, it's a bit stuffy and expensive, without much in the way of shops, bars etc. We're in our mid-20s so while we don't want a wild nightlife we do like pubs and eating out, etc. St Albans is out, as his parents are there and I think it's good to have a *bit* of distance, if you know what I mean...

I won't have a car, so public transport and living close to a station are very important. I've been driving 1 hour to work until now, so wouldn't want to spend any longer than that commuting each way, which rules out Stevenage and Hitchin, which I know are a bit cheaper.

We thought maybe Bushey/Oxhey - is that a nicer part of Watford than North Watford? Does it have good transport links to Watford mainline station and shops etc? Is it a very villagey area? We're going to drive over and have a look round a few areas but I'd really appreciate any help on these towns, or any other ideas! Thanks!

martmc

Tring, Berkhamsted, Radlett or Rickmansworth might be worth checking out. Close to Hemel and on mainline links into London.

Jowo_2

I never found Watford particularly rough though it had a few chavvy pubs in the high street catering for the young binge drinkers and a tacky looking nightclub so sounds like any medium sized town to me (caveat: I lived in Glasgow before and East London after so perhaps it was always going to seem relatively genteel).

The area around Cassiobury Park and the tube station is nice and is probably only a 15-20 minute stroll to the mainline station. Why not have a visit and have a good wander around.

Gwhiz

I had friends in Harpenden. I thought it was nice - some good bars and pubs!

silvercar

There are some nice parts in Watford. You need to look around. As Jowo said, cassiobury is good.

Consider where in London you want to end the commute. Watford junction into Euston is 15-20 minutes. Radlett and Borehamwood / Elstree will do St Pancras, & Farringdon in the same sort of time with Blackfriars and St Pauls and in just a few minutes more.

Radlett is a nice village though I don't know what you will find for £800 - a 2 bed flat?

Bushey is also popular, though parts are a way away from the station. Though from Bushey you could get a bus to Stanmore tube. If you look hard enough you could find a little house for £800.

For Borehamwood you could find a 2/3 bed house; for Elstree a nice 2 bed flat.
Advantage of Borehamwood and Elstree the station is very central, so you could find somewhere decent within a few minutes walk.

michaels

The traffic on and around the M1/M25 and their junction is pretty bad so it might be best being outside the M25 for commuting to Hemel. Harpenden is not too dull (in a pubs not clubs way) but is expensive and very close to St Albans. I would have thought the 'lively' criteria would rule out anywhere smaller?

northern_at_heart

Thanks for all your help. We're going to have a look at a few flats in Harpenden and Bushey. If anyone has any more advice please do share - thanks!

silvercar

rrrrachel wrote: »

Thanks for all your help. We're going to have a look at a few flats in Harpenden and Bushey. If anyone has any more advice please do share - thanks!

Have you considered your journey to work?

Pnly asking because Harpenden is on the FCC (formerly Thameslink) line, so would take you in to St Pancras and onwards. Bushey means getting to Watford junction for the fast service to Euston or onto the tube network from Watford or Stanmore. Remember to include the time spent getting to the station at each end. Also the cost, Bushey to London is a lot cheaper than Harpenden to London!

munkypuzzel

what about st albans? plenty of pubs!!

jebervic

Watford is fine, the best areas are Cassiobury and Nascotwood, other than that, Croxley Green and Rickmansworth are ideal !, great for commuting and generally much nicer than Watford.

Bushey and Oxhey, well Oxhey is all but Watford really, but very close to Watford town centre, Tesco and a retail park. Bushey is good, house prices reflect this, also a midway point between Stanmore (Harrow) and Watford.

mike5678

I'm currently in the process of buying in Bushey, should be completing this week.

It's pretty nice, quite a few nice little restaurants and pubs, golf courses and country clubs. Also walking distance to Watford which has lots of late night bars and clubs, though this is the more chavvy area, but not particularly bad compared to lots of places.

I'm moving to about 5 minute walk from the train station. The fast train also stops there which will get you to London Euston in about 20 minutes.