eurotramp

Beaconsfield and St Albans are very expensive..good idea to just drive into somewhere with parking and tube like Pinner or Northwood and to hop on the underground.
Would save you quit a bit time

natashaloder

You need to start with the schools really, and work from there. That is the way things are done.

Good areas that are commuting distance include St Albans and Cambridge. But frankly Finchley is just great. And if you want to live in the countryside, try just north of High Barnet. You can get the tube into work, all overground, just a few stops to North Finchley. Also the overground train goes to nearby Mill Hill, so you should look north of that line to find places where you could commute via train.

Commuting via car is really attractive in countries where there is no alternative. In the UK the trains are pretty good. The overground line can get crowded but you'll only be going as far as north north London so it may not be a problem at all.

The other thing is that you'll find the best schools in places where lots of Londoners commute from anyway, and this will typically be by public transport.

Rockgurl

Just saw this thread and it made me all homesick! I was born in Finchley, lived in Whetstone and went to school in Barnet. My parents live in Stevenage now which is very nice, and anywhere round there is nice to live. Stevenage, St. Albans, Hadley Wood, Welwyn, Radlet...all nice. Finchley itself is lovely but probably a bit pricy now. I miss it

Syedney

Strange how different things evoke different feelings for different ppl!

When I first saw this thread, I remembered commuting to London, and how it's soo choka all the time Everyone is miserable and glum

Also, it reminded me of whenever I drove around North London, it tooks hours to get to anywhere and the parking was absolute horror... I guess it must be the same still..

Living in those areas is something I never experienced, but we have families and friends do, and I have to say, they seem to be very happy where they are...

daunted

Didnt make me homesick as such but has got me thinking. I was raised in Hatfield and my parents still live in Welwyn Garden City. Not sure where i would recommend now to be honest. Got family in Bricket Wood which is inbetween Watford and St Albans - is lovely there but on the pricy side!

Piff Poff

Did you ever get a kebab from the Silver Jubilee on Potter's Bar High Street? Yummy.

daunted

Not that i can remember but do remember Potters Bar fondly. One of my best friends is living there now. Her mum part owns the carpet/curtain shop on the way in (from hatfield side) Cant remember name of place now High place with houses above the shops

Piff Poff

My Husband hails from Essendon, whenever visiting his parents we would decline supper and get a kebab

daunted

I know Essendon well. You know the Tate family??

Londonuck

I once played cricket in Radlet. It had been about 28c, there wasnt a cloud in the sky and all i could see from behind the wickets was rolling green trees and small hills towards a church spire sticking out in the distance. Its always stuck with me.

And i hit 40 not out and took one hell of a catch

Piff Poff

I'll ask OH when he gets home from work - it would be to weird if you knew each other

Mrs Kiwi

As a guide price only, we own a 3 bed semi in Rickmansworth, a little town next to Watford in Hertfordshire, and if prices stay the same we will be putting it on the market for about 365K (POUND, my keyboard has no pound sign!!) in the new year when the tenancy runs out.

I was back in the Uk for a visit in April and popped in to see the local estate agent who knows my house well and he said 365K was about the right asking price. Its a standard 3 bed semi although very modernised.

Hope this helps as as guide price - in terms of rentals we are currently renting it out at 1200 a month (POUND)

Piff Poff

He doesn't no