Life in NORTHAMPTON.Help!

2NDTIMEROUNDER

Hello everyone. I need any help I can get from you guys. I am seriously considering buying a flat in Northampton and need any info I can get from people that either currently live in Northampton (or within 5 miles or so) or have done so in the past. I have lived in Milton Keynes for a year or so in the past which is pretty close but have no clue whatsoever about Northampton.

If you can help out about possible best areas of the town to consider regarding safety and amenities I would greatly appreciate. Cheers guys.:beer: Hope to have some good info from you.:)

23rdspiral

Yes

Hi, i lived in the Far Cotton area for a while, south of centre, but I wouldnt again. great to walk into town, and great for little shops, but too noisey and no sense of community.

i now live out in small place away from town, which i'd heartily recommend, but do still work in northampton and have lots of friends here. the nightlife is ok, but has gone down hill for me in the last year or so. but of course it depends on what you like. the shopping is ok and there are several different centres on the outskirts which can be useful.

what transport will you have? where will you work? this would make a huge difference to me on where i chose if i were going back to town.

there are lots of nicely done new flats just south of the river and centre. not sure of the name of the area, but it backs onto Far Cotton. They seem nice areas, 2 coupples i know live there. for being in the town centre, there's fine road access to anywhere, good access to shops and a large morrisons. and a park just over the river. as it's all new, on old railway land, i'm not too sure about community or safey though.

a lot of my friends live in The Mounts, victorian terraces just north of the town centre. it is a good area for students and young professionals - again easy to walk to all you'd need in the centre and close to the racecourse for a walk or picnic ect. there have been some attacks at the racecourse at night, so i wouldnt go there then. i've some single female friends who are happy to walk around the houses area at night though, so dont let that worry you. parking is a little tricky for guests sometimes but not impossible.

i've a friend who lives in Kingsthorpe - the northern most end of town. its nice and quieter for families but not expensive and there are some nice 1930s blocks of flats there. good shops - asda/waitrose and local shops. fine if you work in town or north, but no good roads to get you south easily in rush hour.

another friend just moved to Abington - east of centre, with a reputation for being posh, though there are some affordable areas. it's nice there, quieter and good for families, with the lovely big abington park and museum. local shops, but morrisons is a bit more of a walk. i think this is where i'd look if i were to return. easy to get to town, easy to get to east ring road.

the 1970s extention around Weston Favel shopping centre might be worth a look if you're working out of town. good amenities - liesure centre, shops, indy cinema, and with good commuter links.

hope that helps, pm me if you'd like more details. (and after that essay, the oven should be nearly done...)

mlz1413

MK to N'pton is not that far so why not have a few days and nights out in N'pton and a look at the things that really interest you and a look at what you can afford.

As you have posted 2 threads one on Northampton and one on Gloucester I would say not to buy straight away, but to rent and see if you like the area.

Also as the 2 places are so far away do you work for yourself or from home? If not I would get a job first and then move to the job.

2NDTIMEROUNDER

Yes

Hi 23rdspiral. Sorry for being a bit late in replying. Wow! So much important and useful information. Thank you so much.Really appreciate it.:T I think up to now Northampton wins hands up, especially after what you have said. I have a car so I dont mind living a bit outside of town and having to travel a few miles for shopping and going out so anything goes really regarding location in and around Northampton.

My work goes with me really, I am self employed and I can work from home so no probs there either. If I can find a nice area where sort of professional type of families live that would be the absolute ideal for me.

If you dont mind can I pm you a couple of property finds I will be viewing so that you can divert me away from any pitfalls?

Last but not least, thank you so much for everybody that has taken the time and effort to vote in the poll above. Its coming along nicely. Please keep the votes coming. And remember you will be helping me shape my future. So dont take it lightly!:p

Take care everybody for now.

2NDTIMEROUNDER

Yes

Hi mlz1413 . Thank you for your post. I dont live in MK currently, used to live there some time ago. Where I live now is a bit far to travel back and forth. Very good idea to rent for a few months and see how it goes, that what I intend to do but still if I can eliminate a few places outright then it saves on time, effort and money.

As I have said above work does not come into the equation as I work from home for the time being so no probs with it. Take care.

AMD1981

Yes

I like Northampton. Nightlife isn't what it used to be though!! Maybe its just because I'm getting older? As with anywhere there are nice places to live and not such nice places. I used to work in Abington and used to go for runs around Abington Park. Lovely place!!

oldone_2

No

Avoid like the plaque Bellinge area.Even the police don't venture there after dark.

2NDTIMEROUNDER

Yes

Thank you oldone. I will have it in mind!:eek:

2NDTIMEROUNDER

Yes

Hhmmm....The initial poll results indication seem to be changing.

Ultranol_2

Hello,

I lived in Northampton for 3 years while at uni and I loved it while a student. There are some lovely areas - I used to really like the area around the racecourse (Abington way), and up around the hospital is nice, with big Victoria tonwhouses (can't think what it is called now).

It was great for student life, and the houses are very cheap (our old 5 bedroom victorian town house recently sold for 170k - which is the price of a one bed flat in the area of London I am living now!).

I wouldn't live there again, because its too far and too expensive to commute to London, but I think its a decent place to live - a million times nicer than Milton Keynes thats for sure!

Molly41

No

Hi,
Sorry but its a horrid place and its changed beyond recognition. I now feel so unsafe even driving through the town. I love MK though...green spaces, good facilities.
Molly