Buying property in Luton

vandiola

I was very interested in buying property in Luton, but from what I've heard from people and read on the internet, its not come off as the most pleasant place. Can anyone who actually lives in Luton give me a good idea what kind of place it is to live in. I want to buy a flat that I can live in for a few years and then sell off at some point. But I dont want to live in a place that isn't safe. I was surprised at how affordable the property is considering how close and accessible it is to get into London. Can anyone shed some light.

Thanks in advance

SuzieSue

It really depends what you want.

My friend used to live in the LU3 area around Wardown Park before he got divorced and he felt safe there.

He bought there because he needed a bigger house as he had 4 teenagers and it was the only place he could afford which was close to London.

As you know, it is very multicultural, so if that doesn't bother you, then you will be fine.

I think the main reason that families don't want to move there is because the schools aren't great but if you don't have children then it won't be a problem.

There was a bit about Luton on the BBC's Inside Out recently and the journalist was saying that when he was growing up all he wanted to do was to leave Luton, but that now things have changed and he would seriously consider moving back there.

SuzieSue

This is the article I was talking about:

http://www.lutonsfc.ac.uk/News/Pages/TVdocumentaryasksstudents%E2%80%98doyouloveLuton%E2%80%99.aspx

vandiola

Thanks Suzie. I was mostly looking at LU1, and as close to the train station as possible, as I need to travel into London regularly. I dont mind multiculturalism since the area I live in now is very multicultural, I'm just worried I may have trouble sub - letting a room or have difficulty selling if its an undesirable area. I have actually have been around the patch I want to buy in, and yeah its a bit run down, but that's not such an issue to me.

SuzieSue

vandiola wrote: »

Thanks Suzie. I was mostly looking at LU1, and as close to the train station as possible, as I need to travel into London regularly. I dont mind multiculturalism since the area I live in now is very multicultural, I'm just worried I may have trouble sub - letting a room or have difficulty selling if its an undesirable area. I have actually have been around the patch I want to buy in, and yeah its a bit run down, but that's not such an issue to me.

I don't know about LU1, but you should speak to as many people who live there as you can including shopkeepers.


That's what I did when I moved to where I live as it is a very working class area (you will never get coffee shop chains setting up there), so I was a bit worried but I've been here for 15 years and it's been fine. I wouldn't have moved here if I had children as the schools are below average, but it was the only place near London that I could afford a house.


You will never get the capital growth that you will get in more desirable places but that is why you can afford to buy there . But anything will sell if it is priced correctly.


I know my house will be more difficult to sell that one in a more desirable area, but again, that was why I could afford it.

hazyjo

Don't forget to factor in the price of commuting! Ain't gonna be cheap.

Jx

vandiola

Oh yes, the dreaded commuting prices! I still won't know if I can buy until June/July, but I just want an idea in case I have to move. I would rather get a head start and know a little bit more than going head first into looking at property.

kay_1

I live in luton. I hate it and can't wait to move out of here. That being said I don't think you'll have any problems selling your property on as polish will probably buy it. There's a lot of polish in lu1 as well as drunks hanging around cos it's in the town centre. I live in LU4 which is where a lot of gang murders have happened in the last year and my house had three offers within 2 days and went for over asking price. I think it's madness myself but I guess people have to live somewhere.

As for safety I don't feel safe here or walking down the street but to be fair apart from the odd keying of my car I've personally never had any trouble or had my house broken into.

ethank

I think that you should look around Leagrave, Limbury, or Lea Meadows/Coverdale area in Luton rather than South Luton, Hightown or Luton Town Centre. It's all close to Leagrave Station, and M1 J11.

I lived in Luton for 10 years and never had any trouble at all. I moved about 20 mins drive from Luton now, but I was desperate to live in a more rural location.

jules8542

Just an idea but have you considered Milton Keynes? Property still reasonable better facilities better reselling or letting chance and much better train services, or even Bletchley that's cheaper than mk. Luton is ok but like most towns town centre at weekend nights pretty awful. I do know the train service in luton has been very unreliable compared to mk straight to eus ton. Good luck

unhappy_shopper

We live in LU1 and I should say that it is very convenient for a London commute, less than 30 minutes to King's Cross by fast train. As a previous poster said, the schools here are not great . The South Luton area is quite nice, areas like Cutenhoe Road are pricey too (there are £million properties here), easily accessible to M1 as well as the rail station. Keep in mind the overhead planes flying out/into Luton airport if buying in that area. HTH.