Topic ID 6712
Hi there, Newbie here - so new in fact that I don't even live in Hertford yet, but am very keen on the town and looking to move there soon. I'm looking at the centre of town but know there are a few pubs in the Market Place area and wonder how noisy they are at the weekend. In particular the White Hart and some of the clubs nearby which I think close at 1am or later on Fridays and Saturdays. Without being able to spend the night there, I wondered if someone could give me the inside scoop on how busy it gets - people milling around outside, shouting, etc... I sound like an oldie, I know, I'm not, but I do like my sleep so it's a point to consider before I buy in the area! thanks so much. J
Reply ID 89389
Welcome Jo, the area is very busy at night from Thursday- Saturdays. There is a lot of noise at night during these times especially around kick out time. That whole area is like a crossroads with people coming from all the pubs/bars in Hertford and passing this general area. There are a few back streets near the Salisbury which will be much quieter and of course Folly Island.
Reply ID 89390
thanks so much Louis, that's what I had expected might be the case. I'll keep looking in the areas you suggest, any other info you might have would be much appreciated too.
Reply ID 89392
It really does depend on your budget. A few years ago I nearly bought a two bed flat in the Gravesons building which faces the White Hart. It was very reasonably priced but there was no money in the pot for the service company to fix the roof etc which would have therefore needed to have been paid for by the residence. I subsequently bought on the folly a couple of years later and I love it.
Reply ID 89393
Ah, thanks for the info Louis, that's good to know. Not sure how it works on here, but do you want to drop me an [url="mailto:[email protected]"]email[/url]? Might be good to chat a bit more about your suggestions off the boards? Any other thoughts from other Hertford people all very welcome too of course [:)]
Reply ID 89394
quote:At the risk of going off-topic I've often looked at the exterior of Gravesons and concluded that the [mis]management company was failing to meet its obligations. Ditto the flats in Warren Place. Whenever considering a leasehold property it's always wise to check out the management company before committing yourself IMHO.
Originally posted by Louis M
A few years ago I nearly bought a two bed flat in the Gravesons building which faces the White Hart. It was very reasonably priced but there was no money in the pot for the service company to fix the roof etc which would have therefore needed to have been paid for by the residence.
Reply ID 89395
tbh you had a lucky escape when you passed on the graveson building. the flat on the market at the moment there (@169950 asking) last sold for 196k in 2003, and it wouldnt surprise me if it sells eventually for somewhere round the 150k mark..and the flat that most recently sold there 3 years ago, went for less than it sold for new in 2002. they are exactly the type of flats that look really nice on the internet but are in reality in a very unsuitable location and probably have a reasonably high tenant turn over for the size of the building, which is never a good thing if you want people who care about the buildings and their neighbours.
Reply ID 89396
This is all very interesting stuff, I'm glad I asked! So while i'm on the subject, does anyone know anything about the Yong Offenders Centre that is due to open soon on Ware Road near Matalan? I keep hearing mentions of it, but no idea how big, whether its residential, etc. Would be something to think about, even if it's not happening for a year or so with regard to reselling, etc.
Reply ID 89397
I thought that there was already a young offenders unit in Yeomans Court,or is this just offices for the probation services? Quite often see groups of people sitting around down there.
Reply ID 89398
quote:I suspect you mean the flats for young people that are being built in Baker Street. It's not a Young Offenders Centre. Useful link: http://www.eastherts.gov.uk/index.jsp?articleid=7534
Originally posted by JoJo
So while i'm on the subject, does anyone know anything about the Yong Offenders Centre that is due to open soon on Ware Road near Matalan? I keep hearing mentions of it, but no idea how big, whether its residential, etc.
Reply ID 89399
quote:Yes, Yeomans Court is just the Hertfordshire Probation Trust. A Young Offenders Centre is a low security prison for young people.
Originally posted by dutch knight
I thought that there was already a young offenders unit in Yeomans Court,or is this just offices for the probation services? Quite often see groups of people sitting around down there.
Reply ID 89400
Ah, that sounds like it, thanks for the link Steve, that clears things up a bit. The estate agents obviously don't know much about it to be suggesting its a Young Offenders place. Any other info you have would be great, but it sounds like a positive project for young people from what I can see.
Reply ID 89401
And the Probation office is closing in October when they relocate to Broxbourne (hence the To Let sign outside).
Reply ID 89402
They've certainly maximised the space previously occupied by the car park. Has construction started already? [url="http://www.aldwyck.co.uk/main.cfm?Type=PROPDETA&propID=976&pcode=SG137HS&propRegion=1&propTown=21662&propType=0&propMinBeds=1&propMaxBeds=6&propPcode=SG137HS&Radius=10"]Baker St Youth Housing Project[/url]
Reply ID 89403
quote:They're piling at the moment.
Originally posted by JoJo
They've certainly maximised the space previously occupied by the car park. Has construction started already?
Reply ID 89404
In response to the original question - we have friends who use to live in the centre of town but had to move further out because of noise at night. Although they knew Hertford well the level of noise really suprised them. It's a tricky one but I hope you find somewhere suitable!
Reply ID 89405
I live just off town centre and my girlfriend right in town. We don't find it a problem at all. On a really hot night when the front windows have to be left open it is noticable, but not sleep disturbing. My own recommendations of things to avoid would be a flat on the ground floor, or one with a bedroom facing the street. Other than that, it's fine as long as one is prepared to enjoy the social buzz, shops bars and restaurants near at hand, rather than being annoyed by it. I did not feel the same in Luton town centre, but then it's not all sirens, gunshots and screams here, just people enjoying themselves. In my years of Hertford dwelling, I've moved in and out of the centre several times. On balance, I prefer in.
Reply ID 89406
tbh I would advise anyone who is a first time buyer and not buying in london to avoid buying a flat unless you really have to. buying a house is marginally more expensive but is in the main, worth spending the extra. I own a flat because to buy the freehold version of what I have would have been a significant amount extra both in terms of the purchase price and the stamp duty. I remortgaged the flat the other week, the managing agent charged me £150.00 just to accept service of a bit of paper with notification that I've charged it to a different lender. Its crackers. There are some nice little houses in hertford for not a lot more than a flat - I really would try and get one of them unless you are totally pushed for money.
Reply ID 89425
Hi, before our house was ready to move into we stayed for a couple of weeks in hotels in the town centre, in our time we stayed in all three hotels on Fore Street...noise at the weekends was pretty awful. i would def. advise avoiding buying in the town centre due to the noise and anti-social behaviour, though the anti-social behaviour is fairly low level compared to some places i have lived. i would also say to go for a house rather than a flat, and suggest you have a look at Sele Farm area.
Reply ID 89428
Thanks for the advice, very helpful. So my main issue is that I don't have a car and would like to be able to walk to the station - Hertford East ideally as I need to get to Liverpool St. I'm looking at Ware now too, seems to be more choice. I'll check the place out at the weekend a little more, open to ideas though!
Reply ID 89429
hi, look at Sele Farm, it is a 5 minute walk to Hertford North, from Hertford North you can get the train to Moorgate, and then only a short walk to Liverpool Street. Hertford North has more trains and is more reliable than Hertford East. if you look at Sele Farm try to walk from it to station and Hertford town centre to see how short the walk is, 5 minute to station and 15 to town centre, a few differet routes into the town. Also look at the shops in Sele Farm, post office, Co-Op, butcher, and fish and chip shop are all excellent. great play areaa for children as well, and some good schools. we live here and commute to London Mon-Fri, and have no problems with not having a car.
Reply ID 89438
Another vote for Sele Farm. It has a reputation which is unfounded. Lived here for two years and very happy (although am 15 mins walk from Hertford North). I also commute into London and love having both stations so there is an alternative but Hertford north is definitely more reliable and frequent
Reply ID 89440
quote:Totally agree
Originally posted by Kateg28
Another vote for Sele Farm. It has a reputation which is unfounded. Lived here for two years and very happy (although am 15 mins walk from Hertford North). I also commute into London and love having both stations so there is an alternative but Hertford north is definitely more reliable and frequent
Reply ID 89455
As much as you get a lot for your money on Sele, it would personally be too far out of town for me, especially considering they are not from the area. I would agree that the reputation is far worse than the reality. Again it really does depend on your budget. You won’t find a house in the town for under £250k and even those ones will be small. There are compromises like willow mead where they are around the 200-230k mark but a little further out. I know everyone says get a house not a flat but surely that’s a no brainer if you are fortunate enough to have the money. You can get a 2 bed at the Springs in Hertford which is a 10 minute walk from Hertford East for around £170k. Hertford has ‘good’ & ‘bad’ areas which seem to be geographically defined. Although Ware has similar the good and bad crisscross far more. Either town will be fine.
Reply ID 89493
Town centre living is fine as long as your bedroom window isn't on the main road. I live near the snug and it never bothers me. I think its the best place to live and commute from as the town centre is between the two stations. Only problem I find is when you go out and enjoy the night life and the chruch bells wake you up at 9.30 in the morning on a sunday!