The Best Places to Live in Hertfordshire

Hertfordshire is one of the most popular counties for anyone leaving London but wanting to stay close to it. It sits just north of the capital, with fast trains, good schools, leafy commuter towns and some of the country’s first garden cities. You get green space and a calmer pace without losing easy access to the city.

This guide is for anyone thinking about a move to the county, whether you are relocating for work, upsizing for a growing family, or swapping a London flat for a house with a garden. We move families across Hertfordshire all year round, so we have put together a plain, honest look at the best places to live and what each one offers.

Why Move to Hertfordshire?

Hertfordshire has a lot going for it, which keeps demand for homes high.

• Fast links to London. Most of the county runs into King’s Cross, Euston, Liverpool Street or Moorgate in well under an hour, and several towns sit on the Thameslink, Overground or Underground.
• Strong schools. The county has an excellent reputation for both state and independent schools, which draws many families.
• Green space. Despite being close to London, much of Hertfordshire is open countryside, with the Chilterns clipping the western edge.
• A mix of choices. From historic cathedral cities to planned garden cities and modern commuter towns, there is a style to suit most buyers.
• Close to London without being in it. You get more space for your money than inner London while keeping the city within easy reach.

The trade-off is cost. Hertfordshire is an expensive county, and the most desirable commuter towns sit among the priciest outside London. Choosing the right area for your budget matters a great deal.

What to Consider When Choosing Where to Live in Hertfordshire

Before settling on a town, weigh up what matters most to you and your household.

• Commute. Check the actual train line and times. Thameslink, the East Coast Main Line, the West Coast Main Line and the Underground all serve different parts of the county.
• Budget. Prices range widely, from the very high end in St Albans and Harpenden to better value in Stevenage and Cheshunt.
• Schools. If you have children, look at catchment areas carefully, as they shape which streets to focus on.
• Town style. Decide whether you want a historic centre, a planned garden city, or a modern commuter town.
• Property type. Some areas are mostly period homes, others have plenty of modern family housing. Match the area to the home you want.

It is worth visiting at different times of day before you commit. A town can feel very different on a quiet Sunday compared with a weekday rush hour.

Best Places to Live in Hertfordshire

Here is our run-through of fifteen of the best places to live in Hertfordshire, with a quick honest take on each. Every town below is an area we move people to and from regularly, so the links take you to local removals detail for that town.

Watford

The county’s largest town and a major shopping and business hub. Watford has the Atria shopping centre, an Overground link and a fast service into Euston, plus the Warner Bros studio tour nearby. It offers a wide range of homes and suits professionals, families and first-time buyers. See our removals Watford page for local detail.

Hemel Hempstead

A New Town with a historic Old Town on the hill and a wide range of housing. Hemel has good M1 and A41 access and a station into Euston, with prices below the smarter Chiltern towns nearby. It suits families and commuters wanting value. More on our removals Hemel Hempstead page.

St Albans

A historic cathedral city with Roman roots, a smart centre and a fast Thameslink service into London. St Albans is one of the most desirable spots in the county, with period homes and a price tag to match. It suits families and professionals wanting history, charm and quick links. See removals St Albans.

Stevenage

The first New Town in England, with some of the best value in the county and very fast trains into King’s Cross. Stevenage has a large modern town centre and plenty of family housing. It suits commuters and families watching their budget. More at removals Stevenage.

Welwyn Garden City

A planned garden city known for its leafy, green layout and elegant town centre. Welwyn Garden City offers a calm, well-ordered feel with good rail links into London. It suits families and those wanting space and greenery. See our removals Welwyn Garden City page.

Hatfield

Home to the University of Hertfordshire and a strong aerospace heritage, Hatfield mixes student life, business parks and family housing. It offers good value and fast trains into London. It suits first-time buyers, families and professionals working locally. More at removals Hatfield.

Hitchin

A charming market town with an attractive centre, independent shops and a Thameslink service into London. Hitchin has a strong community feel and a mix of period and modern homes. It suits families and buyers wanting a market-town atmosphere. See removals Hitchin.

Letchworth Garden City

The world’s first garden city, with wide green spaces and a planned, leafy layout. Letchworth offers character, greenery and a calmer pace, with good rail links nearby. It suits families and those drawn to its unique heritage. More on our removals Letchworth Garden City page.

Borehamwood

Famous for the Elstree film studios, Borehamwood sits close to London with a Thameslink service into the city. It offers a mix of homes and easy access to the capital, making it popular with commuters and those working in the film and media industry. See removals Borehamwood.

Cheshunt

In the Lea Valley on the eastern edge of the county, Cheshunt offers some of the best value in Hertfordshire and quick trains into Liverpool Street. It has green space along the river and a good supply of family homes. It suits commuters and families wanting value close to London. More at removals Cheshunt.

Potters Bar

A commuter town on the southern edge of the county, close to London with a fast King’s Cross service. Potters Bar has a settled, suburban feel and a mix of family housing. It suits commuters and families wanting easy links and a quieter base. See our removals Potters Bar page.

Harpenden

One of the most affluent and sought-after towns in the county, with a smart high street, excellent schools and a fast Thameslink service. Harpenden sits at the top of the market and suits families and professionals wanting quality and quick London access. More at removals Harpenden.

Bushey

Sitting next to Watford, Bushey has some leafy, affluent pockets and good access to London via nearby stations. It offers a quieter, residential feel close to the amenities of Watford. It suits families and professionals. See removals Bushey.

Rickmansworth

A desirable town on the Metropolitan line, surrounded by the Chess valley, lakes and countryside. Rickmansworth offers a direct Underground link, attractive homes and green surroundings, with prices to match. It suits families and commuters wanting countryside and a tube link. More on our removals Rickmansworth page.

Bishop’s Stortford

A market town in the east of the county, close to Stansted Airport and on the Cambridge to London line. Bishop’s Stortford has an attractive centre, good schools and fast trains into Liverpool Street. It suits families, commuters and frequent flyers. See removals Bishop’s Stortford.

Which Hertfordshire Area Is Best for You?

There is no single best town, only the best one for your needs and budget. As a rough guide:

• Best for commuting to London: Stevenage, Potters Bar and Borehamwood, all with fast services into the city.
• Best for families: St Albans, Harpenden and Welwyn Garden City, with strong schools and family housing.
• Best for value: Stevenage, Cheshunt and Hatfield.
• Best for character and prestige: St Albans, Harpenden and Rickmansworth.
• Best for green, planned living: Welwyn Garden City and Letchworth Garden City.
• Best all-rounder: Watford, for the range of homes, jobs, shopping and links.

Visit a few before you decide. The right area is the one that feels like home when you stand on the street, not just the one that looks best on paper.

Planning Your Move to Hertfordshire

Once you have chosen your town, the move itself needs a plan. A few pointers to start:

• Book your removals firm early. Good crews fill up fast, especially on Fridays and at month-end.
• Get a proper quote. A survey-led firm visits, takes an inventory and gives you a fixed price rather than a guess. You can request a quote once your date looks likely.
• Plan for access. Town-centre flats, period terraces and modern estates all need different planning. A good firm checks this in advance.
• Consider storage if your dates do not line up. A short storage booking bridges the gap if completion slips.
• Sort the admin. Our address change checklist covers everyone who needs to know your new address.

If you are buying your first home in the county, our first-time buyer survival guide walks through the whole process step by step. And if a chain delay is worrying you, our guide on moving during a chain or completion delay shows how to stay flexible.

We move families into and across Hertfordshire all year round, handling everything from packing to storage under one roof. Whatever corner of the county you are heading to, we will build the plan around you.

Get in touch with our team or request a Hertfordshire removals quote to get started.

Get a free Hertfordshire removals quote

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