Best areas to live in herts/bucks

Nndh1

Hi,
My family and I are looking to relocate from the North East (near Newcastle) to nearer London for business reasons.

For the first few months my partner will have to travel back and forth weekly so I think somewhere in Hertfordshire or maybe Bucks because its easiest for him to travel up and down the A1/M1 (but am open to suggestions if not miles away).

Can anyone please advise on best/worst places to live? I ideally want an easy commute to London as I will be travelling in quite a bit by train (under 45 mins preferably, an hour max). I've been looking at Hitchin, Radlett and Hertford so far but really can't get a feel for what they are like online - slightly concerned not enough going on and a bit sleepy/quaint. Hitchin and Hertford I keep reading about chavs, is it so bad? I don't want to be surrounded by snobs either....

Somewhere with a few good cafes/restaurants/good park and a decent choice of shops. I'm a city girl at heart so somewhere not to sleepy and definitely needs to be cosmopolitan. I would love to live in London but it's just out of reach for us to rent at the moment.

We are planning on driving down next week but it would be really helpful to know where to take a look rather than wander like headless chickens!

Thanks in advance!

Fen1

Where do you need to get to in London? There's a big difference in driving to Wembley and taking the train to Charing Cross. I have commuted into different parts of London by car and by public transport.

Always remember that driving in and out of London during rush hour is very slow. Public transport is a pig, especially during rush hour.

"Google says 45 mins".can be very different according to the time of day.

Murphybear

Have a look at Milton Keynes. We moved there in 1996, there was quite a lot to do there back then, I believe the number of shops had rapidly expanded.

Transport to London was easy and housing much cheaper then London

Nndh1

Thanks Fen1

Theres no specific area we need to be in London, it's just I will be going in once or twice a week on the train with my son whilst my partner is away - mostly zone 1.

We are also very used to driving in London as its a big part of our business zig zagging all over so know all about traffic :-( but thats a big reason why we are relocating as we normally have to drive the Newcastle - London (5 hours) before we even hit London traffic! Its all become a bit much hence the relocation!

Really just looking for ideas of nice areas with enough going on so he can get to Newcastle easily and I can get into London easily :-) We would consider north London too but think its possibly a bit to expensive for us hence looking at Herts/Bucks.

Nndh1

Hi Murphybear,
Thank you;-)
I forgot I was reading on Milton Keynes yesterday, is this the place which is known for it's many roundabouts? I was intrigued?! Perhaps you could advise on a couple of areas which are good to live within MK so I can check house prices? Many thanks

Fen1

If you only need to go in once a week and not for work, how about Cambridge? The non-commuter trains are fine and the city would suit your needs. The trains take about an hour.

kazwookie

Close to the M1
think
Milton Keynes
Towcester
Northampton
Bicester
Brackley
Buckingham

BrownTrout

Coventry is quick by train and a LOT cheaper...
More like Newcastle prices then those suggested

Nndh1

Hi Fen1,
I had thought Cambridge might be a bit far but if I get the right train I see it can be done in an hour:-) Not the cheapest of places but I it's definitely somewhere to look into as atleast it won't be sleepy! Thanks for the suggestion!

Nndh1

Hi Kazwookie,
Thanks for all of your suggestions. Which of these would you say is most cosmopolitan and lively?

Nndh1

Hi BrownTrout,
I'm not necessarily looking for Newcastle prices, but not quite being able to afford London just yet ;_( Thank you for your suggestion but it's just that bit too far. Thanks anyway!