Hertfordshire Buyers Guide: Where Are The Best Places to Live?

Victorian era property located in Hertfordshire.

Bringing together the idylls of country living with the convenience of London-bound commuting, Hertfordshire is one of the most popular counties in England for both homeowners and developers alike. As a result, property prices continue to grow with a typical semi-detached property setting you back £535,091 according to real estate portal Rightmove.

But it isn’t just the rising property prices in Hertfordshire that may leave you in a spin. Many buyers are left bewildered by the sheer number of beautiful towns to pick from. Whether it be leafy Berkhamsted in the south or historic Hitchin in the north, you’ve got an abundance of choice throughout the 634,366 square miles that form this unrivalled home county. So, what do you need to know when searching for and buying a property in Hertfordshire?

Living in Hertfordshire

Jobs

Whilst many of Hertfordshire’s residents work in London, there are several thriving sectors found within the county itself. In fact, according to Hertfordshire County Council there are over 70,000 businesses operating in the county with the majority of which providing either professional services or construction solutions.

The latest data available from the county council shows that 4.2% of the working age population are unemployed. This is inline with the national average and slightly higher than it was prior to the recent pandemic, suggesting that it will fall below the national average as the country continues to recover.

There are several large employers in Hertfordshire, such as auditing firm KPMG, online retailer ASOS, and lottery operator Camelot. But for many of the county's residents it is the independent employers that they love, some of which were highlighted in an article by the St Albans Review.

Schools

Hertfordshire boasts some of the most highly regarded community and independent schools in the country. Because of this, it has become a battleground for parents seeking the best education for their children. But due to the number of highly-rated schools in the county, you’re almost certain to find a school that suits your little ones.

For those in search of a community school, take a look at the government’s latest performance data. You’ll find that there are over 100 schools in the county being rated as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, such as Abel Smith School in Hertford and Amwell View School in Ware.

If you’re keen to send your child to an independent school, you’ll want to see MyTopSchool’s league table. There are a variety of day and boarding schools throughout the county, with annual fees ranging from £8,000 to £26,000. Those with the highest GCSE performance include the St Albans School and Berkhamsted School.

Shopping

From high-street heavyweights to independent stores, you’re sure to enjoy a day’s shopping in Hertfordshire. What’s more, research from Harper Dennis Hobbs found that Berkhamsted and Harpenden offer the best shopping in Britain due to the peppering of charming stores found throughout both towns.

If you prefer big names such as Primark, Boots and Apple, then Watford is the spot for you. Atria Watford is home to all the names you would expect to find in this bustling town centre, but you’ll also find a handful of independent spots such as the Ocean Bells Coffee Company and Heriot Cakes to name but a few.

For those who prefer the charm of niche stores, then some of Hertfordshire’s smaller towns are well worth visiting. As well as Berkhamsted and Harpenden, St Albans and Hertford are all mentioned in Visit Herts guide to independent shopping.

Home Prices in Hertfordshire

With so much to offer homeowners and developers, it’s no surprise that Hertfordshire house prices continue to climb. According to the UK Government, the typical house price in Hertfordshire was 36% higher than the national average at £425,455. Although higher than elsewhere in the country, the year-on-year increase was similar to the national average at 7.4%.

Edwardian era property located in Hertfordshire.

House prices also vary throughout Hertfordshire with them being 12% lower than average in the north of the county. This is reflective of the more upmarket towns located in the south, such as Berkhamsted, St Albans, and Tring. As well as being more idyllic in the eyes of many, they offer faster access to central London as well as many major airports.

According to research by Savills, the most expensive towns within Hertfordshire to buy property are Chorleywood, Harpenden and Berkhamsted. Their data also revealed that the least expensive towns to buy property in the county were Stevenage, Waltham Cross, and Baldock. The average property prices between these towns vary hugely from £1,019,821 to £326,384.

View of countryside nearby Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire.

Best Places to Live in Hertfordshire

St Albans

Located between some of Hertfordshire’s most popular towns, many consider St Albans to be the gem at the heart of the county. Because of this, a typical semi-detached property will cost you 29% more than the county’s average according to real estate portal Rightmove. What’s more, St Albans experienced the largest increase in property values throughout 2021 with the average sold price 7% up on the previous year.

Despite the tranquillity offered by St Albans, it remains ideally located for those commuting to work in the capital or even those often heading abroad for business. It’s just a 15 minute drive from the M1 with it taking roughly 1 hour to drive into central London. This means that major airports such as London Heathrow and London Stansted are both within a 30 - 45 minute drive.

St Albans is a brilliant spot to grow your family with several schools rated as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted. These include Bernards Heath Junior School and Beaumont School, both located within 2 miles of the town centre. There is also plenty to keep the children busy at the weekends, such as the Maltings Shopping Centre and easy public transport into the nearby town of Watford.

Berkhamsted

Home to a historic castle lived in by kings and princes, few Hertfordshire towns are as rich in history as Berkhamsted. Due to its popularity, a typical semi-detached property will cost you 20% more than the county’s average according to real estate portal Rightmove. But unlike many other areas in the county, Berkhamsted saw a decrease in property values throughout 2021 with the average sold price being 2% down on the previous year.

Whilst much of Hertfordshire is greener than other parts of the country, Berkhamsted is leading the way. Residents are encouraged to consider sustainability and various community groups are working to make the town more environmentally friendly. As well as protecting the environment, Berkhamsted Council has created several conservation areas to protect the historic buildings within the town.

With Berkhamsted School located along Castle Street, you’ll struggle to find a more respected independent school in Hertfordshire. But for those who are in search of a community school, Berkhamsted is also home to the Westfield Primary School and Ashlyns School. At the weekend, the children are sure to be kept busy with the nearby Kidzone soft play area and quick access to the town of Watford via public transport.

Harpenden

As one of the smaller towns in Hertfordshire, demand for property in Harpenden has been high for several years. As a result, a typical semi-detached property will cost you 44% more than the county’s average according to real estate portal Rightmove. Thankfully property prices have risen at a slower rate than some other areas in the country, although property values throughout 2021 were still 3% up on the previous year.

Few of Hertfordshire’s towns have the variety of architecture as Harpenden, with red-brick Victorian homes and lavish Edwardian mansions often found on the same street. You’ll also find more contemporary properties alongside the lush green parks scattered throughout the town. This combination of older properties and modern alternatives ensures almost any homeowner or developer will find a property to suit in Harpenden.

Whilst many of the town’s children will travel to neighbouring towns for school, Harpenden is home to several highly rated schools. These include the Crabtree Junior School and St George’s School, both of which are located within a mile of the town centre. On the weekends, children in the town will often be found exploring the nearby Batford Springs Nature Reserve or playing on Harpenden Common.

Tring

Despite being just a 10 minute drive away from Berkhamsted, properties in the town of Tring are far more reasonably priced. In fact, a typical semi-detached property will cost only 5% more than the county’s average according to real estate portal Rightmove. But prices are progressively climbing in the town with property values throughout 2021 being 4% up on the previous year.

Lower property prices is not the only reason homeowners and developers love Tring. Whilst the high street may have fewer chain restaurants and premium boutiques than nearby Berkhamsted, it’s still home to a thriving selection of independent restaurants and shops. Plus, it’s just as easy to commute into central London by train or hop onto the motorway to access major airports.

Unfortunately, Tring isn’t home to as many highly rated schools than other towns in Hertfordshire. Nonetheless, both Grove Road Primary School and Tring School were rated ‘good’ by Ofsted. When not at school, Tring’s own Natural History Museum will keep the children intrigued or you could take the short drive to the beautiful high street of Berkhamsted.

Watford

Despite being named as one of the happiest places to live in the UK by the ONS, property prices in Watford are more attainable than many other towns in Hertfordshire. This is as a typical semi-detached property will cost 5% less than the county’s average according to real estate portal Rightmove. But you’ll want to nab a property in Watford soon as property values throughout 2021 are 5% up on the previous year.

Watford is arguably one of the best towns in Hertfordshire for shopping, entertainment and sports. This is largely due to its shopping centre, which boasts several major retailers as well as a popular cinema showcasing the latest blockbusters. For those who would prefer to experience the wizarding world of Harry Potter in person, then you’ll want to visit the Warner Bros. Studio.

As you would expect for such a major town, Watford is home to a broad choice of schools. These include many that have been rated as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted, such as the Watford Grammar School and Breakspear School. If they are not tempted by what’s available in the city centre at the weekends, then the children will find a variety of outdoor spaces such as the nearby Aldenham Country Park.

Conclusion

As a team of Watford-based architects, you could argue that we’re somewhat biased in saying that Hertfordshire is one of the most beautiful counties in England. However, this is also demonstrated by the sheer demand for property and the climbing house prices throughout the county at the time of writing.

Whenever buying property in an unfamiliar county, you should consult a local estate agent. As well as provide an insight to the various towns, they’ll be able to advise on where you’ll get ‘the best bang for your buck’ and perhaps get you through the door early on some particularly suited properties.

But if you’re looking to renovate or develop a property in Watford, Berkhamsted, St Albans, Tring or anywhere else in Hertfordshire - get in touch with us! Our friendly team will be able to support you throughout the process, identifying opportunities to create an incredible home for your family or property for your portfolio.

*Property prices accurate on 8th February 2022.