Moving to Stevenage

gorgeouslatinrose

Hi there, my friend is looking at properties in Stevenage tomorrow for rental during a work placement year, and though has researched the area, is still feeling slightly unprepared. Does anyone know the area, and what are best places to reside, places to avoid, so they can have a better idea when looking this weekend? Many thanks

MsDee

It was on relocation, relocation last night. It's apparently not very pretty, just an average run of the mill, industrial place, with not much soul.....

I'll await the torrents of abuse from those that reside there and 'wouldn't live anywhere else!!!':D

Southsaver_2

Looks like they might get a new town centre. The inspiration was taken from kid's toys? I jest; it looks quite interesting.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/england/8626389.stm

http://www.stevenageregeneration.org/

kst101

Stevenage isn't the greatest place although OK. Wouldn't want to live in the centre of it but don't know enough about areas to advise much. A friend used to live in Chells which was all right and there is a newish part called Great Ashby which is also all right.

Do you need to be in Stevenage itself or could you be a little outside? There are various villages which are nice, or towns such as Letchworth or hitchin about 10 or so miles away which are much better IMO. They are both on the train line to Stevenage.

gorgeouslatinrose

Lol , thanks for all the information. My friend was not particularly impressed with having Stevenage as his location, I think he was hoping for somewhere like Cardiff or something, but of course its where ever they put you! Having said that, he has never been to Stevenage before, so it could end up being a nice place for all we know - so hopefully he will find somewhere is a nice area, even if the town is not that great. Thanks for all the input so far

kst101

I would agree that Stevenage isn't like Cardiff!


Hope your friend's weekend goes well

AliceBanned

Stevenage is practical but not particularly pretty. It has good transport links - 20 mins by train to King's Cross. Some nice surrounding countryside and villages but you pay more for those. I agree the town centre is dire - it is depressing shopping there but there are plenty of better places nearby to shop - Welwyn Garden City and Hitchin. Depends what your friend wants but there are lots of music venues in the area and good country pubs. It isn't totally soulless but London is nearby anyway for more nightlife, culture etc.

gorgeouslatinrose

Thankyou for all your input, they are currently searching right now, and are so far not doing very well, many of the estate agents are turning them down as they dont want year long work placement students in some of their rental propeties, so they are searching slightly outside of the centre. Agreed, at least London is not far off, it could have been worse

lincroft1710

Most of Stevenage is less than 50 years old, it was one of the post 2nd World War "New Towns" hence the soulless town centre built in early 60s. There is Old Stevenage however. Great Ashby is a large development which started around 2000 and isn't actually in Stevenage, but in North Herts Council area, although it's difficult to tell where the boundary is.

The one great advantage is that Stevenage is probably cheaper than most other parts of Hertfordshire and it's also the biggest town in the area. There is a lot of social or ex-social housing though.

tesuhoha

I lived in Stevenage for years, then lived in Hitchin and Letchworth. Stevenage is not very nice. The best place in my opinion is the Fishers Green area or the Old Town Area but its a few years since I've lived there and I certainly wouldnt go back.

gorgeouslatinrose

Thankyou for all your advice. They have decided to focus on the Old Town Area for now, but have not found any properties, but they will have to go back for a second trip. I will mention to him the Fishers green area, as I dont believe they have been there yet but sounds like a good potential option for them .