Which place is best to live in Beds, Herts, or Bucks?

30ismorethan171991haha

I'm thinking of moving from West London to these counties, but I've heard a lot about MK. Is it any good to live in?

What about St. Albans or Watford?

gettingtheresometime

One man's paradise is another man's hell

bertiewhite

gettingtheresometime wrote: »

One man's paradise is another man's hell

Indeed and after being born in Herts and then both living & working in Beds & Bucks, I can quite happily say that I'd never move back there.

elverson

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2016/sep/16/lets-move-to-luton-bedfordshire-very-connected

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2016/nov/25/lets-move-to-st-albans-hertfordshire

Purplepenguin88

Being from Herts myself and having lived in several of the places you've mentioned I'd say it depends what you're looking for... where you work, and what your budget is like?
Why the move? Where are you moving from and what are your priorities for the move?

lincroft1710

Herts and Bucks are generally more expensive than Beds and are, also generally, more picturesque. Milton Keynes isn't really Bucks, it was built in the north of the county and is now a unitary authority. Luton is a depressing large town with several areas to avoid. Hemel Hempstead and Stevenage are both "new towns" and lack the character of St Albans or Hertford.

The nearer to London you get, the busier the trains. On the line to Bedford you can be virtually guaranteed a seat between Luton and Bedford either way. For stations south of Luton it's every man or woman for themselves.

Perhaps use Google Streetview and have a look at few towns/villages. Then use Rightmove for prices of houses in the areas you like.

30ismorethan171991haha

it's just a question, no need to be rude.

AdrianC

BUDGET is the key. There are some very nice bits of all three counties - and some much less nice bits. Strangely, the very nice bits are very expensive, while the much less nice bits aren't.

What do you want, what's your budget, and what are your geographic constraints? If you're commuting into London by train, where are you heading to? Don't forget the tube line heads outside the M25 into Herts and Bucks, with much cheaper fares.

Wicked_Lady

Nothing wrong with MK but I'd look at the market towns of Olney, Stony Stratford or Newport Pagnell, all of which fall within the Unitary Boundary.
Avoid Luton and Bletchley!
Commuting into London is expensive and takes longer the further out you go hence the higher property prices in places like St Albans, Gerrards Cross etc.
Are you moving for a specific reason?

Rodders53

Where in W.London currently? Will you want to visit friends etc., there regularly?

Where will you need to commute to, when you move? How (car, motorbike, bus/train)?

Do you want a quiet location or a full and busy night life?

I was born and lived in the Watford area, until redundancy and moved to the East coast, so know a bit about the town and places nearby, including St. Albans. Prices have risen dramatically and it now seems very, very busy to us some 11 years later.

I've moved back inland to be nearer family... and have settled in a village near Bedford... more affordable and a surprisingly friendly place with welcoming people.

gettingtheresometime

30ismorethan171991haha wrote: »

it's just a question, no need to be rude.

I wasn't being rude.


As an example, the west wales coast line has lovely views but if having to jump in a car when you run of milk might not put off some people whereas others would run a mile.