Hi,

FTB looking to buy in Stevenage looking to share experiences from other HPC members.

Dada

Two words: DON`T BUY!

Hi,

Unfortunately while I agree with you some family considerations are making lean towards to this.

However my time frame is a lot flexible.

I just wanted to know what the area was like from any HPC'ers out here.

Dada

I rent in Stevenage as it's convenient for where I work, but I don't think I would buy there, certainly not at today's prices.

The main problems with the town are the ugly, dilapidated new town centre, filled with poundlands, primarks and cash-converters, and the large council housing estates with all of the associated problems.

I live close to the old town centre and the area around there isn't too bad.

Hitchin is just up the road and is quite nice.

My view on Stevenage

Has lots of work, all the facilities you'll ever need & has a good road network around it.

It also has lots of reasonably modern housing, which is cheaper than housing just a few miles further south down the A1

BUT the housing seems very cramped together, the town centre is a typical ugly 1960's concrete mess, and it is Chav central !!

Personally I would not want to live there, but I understand why people do.

I think this is a balanced & fair assessment of the place.

Could look at Hitchin, Letchworth or Baldock as alternatives.

Stevenage is a tale of 2 towns; the centre is horrible but the old town is lovely. Moving out a bit there are lovely quiet spots. Like all places i suppose, some good some bad.

I like it anyway

Having grown up there I can thoroughly not recommend it & to coin and old saying 'you can't polish a turd' is very fitting of Stevenage.

One of the highest rates in Herts of sex offenders living in the town - not the place to bring up your kids !

Good place for shopping, and the best view of Stevenage is from my rear view mirror.

Nearby Knebworth & Walkern are worth a look, a bit further out - Letchworth (once rated the 12 best place to live in the UK, Lordship estate best, keep away from Jackmans), Biggleswade, St Neots (Eaton Socon half) etc are well worth a look IMHO

When the market goes pop Stevenage will get hit hard like it did first time round.

Hi,

Thanks for the comments.

I have now decided to hang in there till June and see what gives.

I might look at Hitchin or Letchworth ( Out of budget right now but with some much due correction who knows)

Dada