Nicola1

I think we're going to concentrate on settling in Bishop's Stortford. It looks (over the internet) to be a nice area, lovely greenery, good schools, commuter friendly etc.

Can anyone recommend a particular area within BS or advise against a particular area in BS? I'd prefer not to be in the Stansted flight path.

Thanks in advance.

cheeky_monkey

Stansted Airport is literally within walking distance of Bishop Stortford.

Nicola1

Can one get a seat on the train to London in the mornings? Or would maybe Saffron Walden be a better option?

Houses I sort of like (although I'd still prefer a more rural and bigger house and garden!)

http://www.homesandproperty.co.uk/sales/3119196
http://www.homesandproperty.co.uk/sales/3032508
http://www.homesandproperty.co.uk/sales/3064010
http://www.homesandproperty.co.uk/sales/3316726
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-...-21556314.html
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-...?premiumA=true
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-...?premiumA=true
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-...-33996034.html
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-...-21567675.html

Bermudashorts

I recently posted a pic of my house (my houses is in there somewhere I mean). Here it is again, pretty rural me thinks.

Bishop Stortford was my nearest town, about 15 minutes drive away. Yes you will get a seat on the train in the morning, I always did. Trains are plentiful from BS, they would not be quite as plentiful from Saffron Walden, I think BS is a better commuter town.

It is of course not walkable to Stansted Airport (re other post) and quite easy to avoid the flight path. Keep to the left of the M11 on a map for sure.

Try The Pelhams, The Hadhams, Manuden, Berden, Ugley, Standon, Albury.

Sawbridgeworth, Sheering, Hatfield Heath, Hatfield Broad Oak are also good options, trains from Sawbridgeworth are reasonably frequent too, although you get on after the BS lot so seats in the morning cannot be guaranteed.

Edit: Hmm I have just looked at a couple of your houses. Thorley Park. Chavtastic.

Nicola1

Thorley Park, hmmmm, thanks for the warning - shall avoid!!!

ukintexas

Hi there

I lived in Bishop's Stortford before coming to the US in 2005. We lived there for five years and loved it. Whenever we return to the UK we still stay there in rented accommodation.

The town has become much more built up since we've been away - they even have a Starbucks now! I would disagree a little on Thorley Park being chavtastic! Yes, there are some parts of it that are, but there are others that are OK - you can easily see which is which. The houses will be larger in the better parts of Thorley Park,and frankly, if you go look at the area, you'll see the cars will be better and that the roads themselves just seem nicer. A bit amgibuous I know but you'll "get it" when you actually visit!

I would live back in that location in a heartbeat if we were to look at the UK again.

Good luck!

ukintexas

Pynchbek and Abbots Way - No's! IMHO!

Bishop's Gate was nice when it was first built, but I remember thinking it looked a bit tatty the last time I was there. It's nice and close to Tesco's though!

Have you looked at anything on St Michael's Mead? That's probably one of the higher end "estates" there.

cheeky_monkey

It is walkable from Bishop Stortford because i have done it..i worked at the Airport as a trainee when the new terminal was being built..if i missed my lift from Chelmsford to Stansted i would have to get the bus/train to BS and walk to the site.

burgin

Hello,

New to this site but we are moving back to UK after many years away and are planning on Bishop's Stortford for the same reasons given below.

Nicola, did you complete the move and how was/is it? Particularily interested in getting the kids (8/10) into good schools.

Any tips welcome.

Thanks

UK IFA

Recommend that you look at

Zoopla.co.uk
Homecheck.co.uk

if you have an i phone there is an app called emortgage, which is a property finder plus has costs for getting a mortgage.

Hope this helps

Nicola1

Hi Burgin,

We didn't get around to looking at the area whilst we were on our recce in July and August, so we've decided on the Farnham/Guilford area's in Surrey. It was really beautiful that side. I have heard that Saffron Walden near BS is lovely.

Schooling wise, www.ofsted.co.uk provides alot of information, all the best with your search.

Kind regards,
Nicola

mayhemuk

We spent time recently in this part of Herts and in the end decided on Ware.
Big part of this is it's where my Wife's job is. But I needed to decent link into either Liverpool Street or Moorgate so our list covered most town on the A10 outside the M25 (Cheshunt, Broxbourne, Hoddeson, Ware to Hertford East and Sawbridgeworth Bishops Stortford.

Conclusion was that the reduced rent for BS was mitigated by commute for her and fare for me.
Check this site if you have need for a London work commute
http://www.commutefrom.com/

We also considered Knebworth and Welwyn but Ware came out tops.
Yes the trains are less frequent but once the timetable is known can work to that. Plus I have some flexibility.

We looked at a couple of places in Thorley area and they were very tired. One was set up as student house for sure so be cautious if you have to rent/buy unseen.

Good luck. If the die had rolled differently BS may have worked but not for us this time.

burgin

Thanks for the tips. We need to commute to Liverpool Street. We were looking at Bishops Stortford as the schools there looked, in general, very good. Will see how we get along.

Clair38

Hi,
I've just come across this string from last year. I am currently looking at moving back to the UK after many years away and also thinking about Bishops Stortford...just wondered whether it worked out for you and what you think of the place/schools etc?
Thanks

Clair38

Hi,
I've just come across this string from last year. I am currently looking at moving back to the UK after many years away and also thinking about Bishops Stortford...just wondered whether it worked out for you and what you think of the place/schools etc?
Thanks