Harpenden - nice place to live ?

[2something]

The time has come to leave our glorified broom cupboard (in good decorative condition) in Zone 2 and my OH really likes the look of Harpenden. We have been to have a look around and it seems like a nice town with decent rail links.

Any PH input (positive and negative) would be much appreciated on
the area generally
where to live
where not to live
what to look out for
anyone selling or renting a house
any good pub recommendations
why would you want to live there, have you looked at X instead

[Podie]

All I can say is, it's a useful cut-through when the M1 is screwed.

[2something]

Podie said:

All I can say is, it's a useful cut-through when the M1 is screwed.

Surely the M1 is always going to run smoothly now, as they've spent so much time and effort adding two lanes between a couple of junctions ...

[456mgt]

It's a pretty desirable location, a fact reflected in the house prices compared with other villages.

[Podie]

2something said:

Podie said:

All I can say is, it's a useful cut-through when the M1 is screwed.

Surely the M1 is always going to run smoothly now, as they've spent so much time and effort adding two lanes between a couple of junctions ...

Can't comment on that TBH. I felt it relevant, as I've used it a lot in the past, and would imagine that people use it to get to Luton airport too.

Does look nice round there though.

[2something]

Podie said:

2something said:

Podie said:

All I can say is, it's a useful cut-through when the M1 is screwed.

Surely the M1 is always going to run smoothly now, as they've spent so much time and effort adding two lanes between a couple of junctions ...

Can't comment on that TBH. I felt it relevant, as I've used it a lot in the past, and would imagine that people use it to get to Luton airport too.

Does look nice round there though.

Sorry, I was being slightly sarcastic about the big disruption the roadworks caused over quite a long time for just one lane a side over a couple of junctions!!

Thanks for your post though, I hadn't thought of that and looking at the map, it does make sense.

[Ponk]

Google "Harpenden Classics on the Common" and see what would be on your doorstep every July.

[2something]

Ponk said:

Google "Harpenden Classics on the Common" and see what would be on your doorstep every July.

No date set for 2009 yet, but suddenly we have a June deadline to move

[rsv gone!]

It is a fairly nice small town but is fiendishly expensive compared with it's neighbours and I swear half the population are old Nazis.

(I work there!)

[largerandrock]

I use to live there, its ok but everyone likes to think there richer than they are, main problem is luton being 2-3 miles up the road.

[2something]

rsv gone! said:

It is a fairly nice small town but is fiendishly expensive compared with it's neighbours and I swear half the population are old Nazis.

(I work there!)

Must brush on my German !!

I am a little worried about the OH's unerring ability to choose expensive things.

[dougc]

Its a nice place. Its basically divided in three.

The West side of the main high street including West Common - massive houses generally. Very expensive. Cayennes and X5s everywhere.

Between high street and Lower Luton Road - smaller but still pretty big houses. Nice area.

The other side of the Lower Luton Road - the cheaper end of the market

Its quite small though. My friend runs a coffee shop in the town and its always the same people doing the same things. There is definitely a Harpenden 'set' as well - small town mentality sort of thing. Everyone seems to know everyone through 3 or 4 degrees of separation.

Give St Albans a look. Probably about the same price but a much bigger place. Traffic is a nightmare at the weekends but the town is bigger (read more pubs) and more shops and restaurants too.

PS Don't tell Bedders I suggested my home town - he fking HATES St Albaners!!

[Job38]

Great place to live....................






If you can afford it...................

[2something]

Thanks for all the useful info, can't wait for classics on the common

St. Albans was top of the list of places we started looking at. We liked it - being close to a decent sized town centre, the transport links are great, it was nice - but just a bit too much like London for us (I guess we're getting old!)

[Timja]

I have lived in Harpenden for the best part of 27 years and currently live overlooking the common. I can echo some of the other comments posters have made.

Great common areas and access to open countryside.

Good Schools

I believe it has a nice feel to the place and when i have friends visit they often comment on what a nice feel the town has. Quite a nice town centre.

Good train links to London - (although i guess it depends where you work, but expect 30-60min commute) - And you are more likely to get a seat on the train than from St Albans!

Good location for road (M1 & M25) and air travel - Luton airport 1 stop, Gatwick by tain, Heathrow 30 mins. As other people have mentioned it was a bit of a nightmare when they were widening M1 - But now seems to be good (unless there is an accident, but thats like living near any motorway!)

Good selection of independent shops (plenty of womens clothes shops and gift shops for the OH!), bars, restaurants - You should be able to find most things you need. Not too many chain stores, so plenty of larger towns a short distance away (St Albans, Watford, MK) if you want more (e.g. Cinema, Department stores, chain stores). A taxi to St Albans would be about £10 during the day, £15 late night.

There is going to be an element of a Harpenden set with ladies that lunch and 3-4 degrees of separation and everyone knowing everyone - But you would get that with any village/small town.

As for where to live, it depends on your budget, but there are plenty of nice areas! - 2 bed flat near the station will be about £230k, 4 bed modest detatched in nice area £500k, 5+ bed large detached in West Common £1-2m, A few prime properties up to £5m. Of course there is everything in between!

It is home to some of the most expensive places to live:
http://property.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_sty...


Batford does not seem to be as highly regarded and i would not choose to live there, but does have some nice areas.

Personally I like the East Common area.

Classics on the common is excellent!

Feel free to message me if you want any more specific advice about areas and what there is to do. I can recommend Estate agents, solicitors, Financial advisors, restaurants etc. etc. Happy to help.


p.s. You will find that people do not speak about Harpenden being close to Luton! - It's a different county after all, much better to refer to it being close to St Albans!

[Mr M]

2something said:

Thanks for all the useful info, can't wait for classics on the common

St. Albans was top of the list of places we started looking at. We liked it - being close to a decent sized town centre, the transport links are great, it was nice - but just a bit too much like London for us (I guess we're getting old!)

ST A is my home town :-) You're right about it being like London now though. Sadly the latter city spreads itself ever outwards. SA used to be a really nice town - it still is in parts. There used to be graffiti on the railway bridge on Victoria St that said "council vandals, don't let them ruin St Albans" or something like that. Someone from the future no doubt :-). Harpenden is pleasant enough. Southdown ok. Plenty of walks and country. A tad busy though.

[Legend83]

Echo the sentiments above. I have lived in Harpenden (on and off) since 1997 and went to school there.

I now rent there but have just bought a nice house in the Batford area - this is not the greatest area but you can get nice houses for 'relatively' cheap. And 'not great' in Harpenden means slightly less rich residents!

It does have an air of yuppyness to it due to the proximity to London and there are some very rich residents. However, it is becoming a more young and vibrant place to live.

There are plenty of good pubs/bars/restaurants/walks/sports teams etc.

The schools are excellent (my missus is a primary teacher at one) and the town is generally child-friendly.

Crime is low.

However, you pay a big price for the above and I am now bankrupt for the next few years!

Again, PM me if you need any more specific advise. Given I have just bought a house I have close-hand experience with estate agents etc.

[2something]

All good stuff, thanks guys.

We're now just struggling to actually find a modest 3/4 bedroom house (within budget) at the moment and have to work out what we're willing to compromise on.

Tim/Ed, thank you for your offers, I might be PM'ing you if we find somewhere!

[Legend83]

2something said:

All good stuff, thanks guys.

We're now just struggling to actually find a modest 3/4 bedroom house (within budget) at the moment and have to work out what we're willing to compromise on.

Tim/Ed, thank you for your offers, I might be PM'ing you if we find somewhere!

Ooh, house-hunting is always fun! If you don't mind me asking, what is the budget?

[tobeee]

Mr M said:

2something said:

Thanks for all the useful info, can't wait for classics on the common

St. Albans was top of the list of places we started looking at. We liked it - being close to a decent sized town centre, the transport links are great, it was nice - but just a bit too much like London for us (I guess we're getting old!)

ST A is my home town :-) You're right about it being like London now though. Sadly the latter city spreads itself ever outwards. SA used to be a really nice town - it still is in parts. There used to be graffiti on the railway bridge on Victoria St that said "council vandals, don't let them ruin St Albans" or something like that. Someone from the future no doubt :-). Harpenden is pleasant enough. Southdown ok. Plenty of walks and country. A tad busy though.

I live in St.A too. Gone downhill a bit in recent years but still a nice place to live. I can remember that bridge graffiti, but there was also some the other side of the station which read something like "SMASH THE STATE". Unfortunately the council thought it would be best to get rid of it by sandblasting, and did such a good job of accurately following the letters that we were left with a beautifully etched version of the same - looked very posh!