Hatfield

[TheDoctor]

I worked there for a year.
Awful place.

 

[Paulus]

I cycle through there fairly regulary, and to be fair, the old part of Hatfield is quite nice, but the 'newer' parts arn't much. There is a lot of new development on the old Hatfield airfield, now called Hatfield Village. If your budget could take it, get a place in or near Potters Bar, much better imho.

 

[Glow worm]

If you do move, the cycling is good and there's a good mainline link to Kings Cross.

And much more importantly, a direct rail link to King's Lynn too!
There's a nice rural cycle link to St Albans from Hatfield along a disused railway line I did once. Apart from that the only things I remember about Hatfield is that the poplar trees oppostite the station platforms are full of mistletoe (which is unusual for the area) and that the Red Lion pub just up the road is not much to write home about.

 

[Minotier]

If you do move, the cycling is good and there's a good mainline link to Kings Cross.

Hatfield near Doncaster is quite nice, the cycling is good and there's a good mainline link to King's Cross.
Oh and you could probably buy five properties for the same price as one in T'atfield darn South!

 

[Theseus]

I lived there for a number of years.

First moved there when I went to the Poly (befiore it got delusions) and left eventually after I got married and we decided that Edinburgh would be a better place to raise any kids.

I lived in a little road called Ash Drive at the southern end of the town just down the hill from the aforementioned scenes from the Police, Camera, Action sets. The Hilltop was not an area you went unwary. I could recount many tales I witnessed and heard of, none pleasent.

The town centre, like all town centres became a concrete pit, the only highlight being the weekly market even if all that was to offer was the usual cheap tat and old cabbages.

The Galleria was the biggest mistake ever. It was initially set up to be a high end market that would not compete with the place in WGC, but they were forced due to non rental of units to lower thier standards. After TK Max set up shop, they were sued by the WGC place, as apparently deals had been done, and us rate payers were left with the tab while those responsible kept thier commissions and walked away.

On the positive side, the old town was lovely, although we were once thrown out of the 7 (or 8?) Bells once because one of us sat on a chair that was just for decoration if you would believe. This pub claims to be the inspiration for the inn that Bill Sykes stayed at when he fled London in Olliver Twist.

The best parts though are the rail link into London and up the east coast and the road links around. While living there I worked in Potters Bar, Enfield, London, Andover, Harlow and Leamington Spa for a number of employers and customers.


ETA

As for the price difference between Hatfield & Potters Bar ... Brookmans Park used to be the ultra posh bit. and Potters Bar seemed to think it was connected somehow.

 

[TheDoctor]

It's worth noting that TKMaxx is one of the more upmarket shopping options in Hatfield.
The town centre has got the direst Asda I have ever seen.
Honestly, don't do it. Stevenage would be a far, far better bet.
Except for the fact that I live there, but it's OK apart from that...

 

[Marshmallow_Fluff]

It's a sh****le mate! I'm living 25m away in a lovely little village. I did visit a few times but it's absolutely disgusting!! And the so called shopping centre is basically an outlet centre attracting all sorts of unattractive individuals..
Hoddesdon on the other hand is very, very nice.. Wouldn't that suit you? Same for Welwyn Garden City, Ware, Harlow. St Albans is lovely as well, but the prices are significally higher.

 

[TheDoctor]

Hoddesdon has the excellent Cafe Delight, which was our bacon stop of choice when cycling out from Ware a few years back.
You could do a lot worse than Biggleswade too.

 

[Becs]

Well that pretty much confirms my suspicions! I've got a second viewing of a little victorian terrace on the south side of Hertford this evening. I think small house in Hertford sounds preferable to slightly bigger house in hatfield given the crime stats etc. Have looked at WGC but didn't like it, can't afford St Albans (although would like too). I haven't really looked at Hoddesdon, but I really liked some houses in Ware - until I drove there from work in rush hour and got stuck in horrific traffic (which according to a colleague was a relatively good day!). Very frustrated with Hertfordshire at the moment! Thanks for the replies guys!

 

[Aperitif]

The very best of luck, Becs! Hertford is nice - but I would make a rubbish estate agent. You'll sense what feels 'right'.

 

[Marshmallow_Fluff]

You could do a lot worse than Biggleswade too.

No complaints.. The actual location is Potton afterall.. tiny tiny and beautiful!

 

[Marshmallow_Fluff]

@Becs

Lovely riding routes around there as well! It may as well compensate for the extra hours in the car..

 

[Trickedem]

Hertford seems nice. The other weekend I cycled through Hertfordingbury on my way to Stevenage. Lovely quiet countryside around there.

 

[sheddy]

Many of Hatfields problems are caused by the students