New job in Watford. Live in Watford or commute?

Going to Cali · 12 Mar 2011 at 11:50

I interviewed for a position yesterday and good news I was offered the position. The job is in Watford which means a relocation for me.

I took the overground from Euston which took around 15 minutes to Watford Junction and the office is a short walk from there. I think I could potentially commute from London or the other option is living in Watford itself.

If anyone know/lives in Watford, what is it like to live in? Is it easy for a night out in London at the weekend? Where are the best areas to live?

If I lived in London, what area would be the easiest for commuting to Euston?

Raymond Lin · 12 Mar 2011 at 11:52

it would be cheaper to live in Watford and go to London if you want to. It's like 20 minutes isn't it on the train?

makeshiftwings · 12 Mar 2011 at 11:58

Watford isn't great. St Albans is almost next door, is 10mins to Watford Junction by train & is much nicer. However, it is very expensive to rent there.
Watford is cheap to rent in and does have nice areas, especially towards the St Albans end. Shopping is good and trains to London are regular.

nas · 12 Mar 2011 at 12:19

where do you live now?

Montala · 12 Mar 2011 at 12:26

I suppose a lot depends on whether you are looking to rent or to buy, and whether or not you have a wife or partner to consider also. Living costs in Watford should certainly be cheaper than in London, and train fares are not that cheap therse days.

There are some quite nice area to the north of Watford, still relatively close to the town centre for nightlife etc. but with some lovely countryside nearby also. The M25 and M1 are handy for access to the motorway network.

Edit: Just to clarify, when I said north of Watford, I was thinking more off the Nascott Wood area, than North Watford itself, which is probably not one of the best parts of town!

BennyC · 12 Mar 2011 at 12:49

You can get the Met line from Cassio in to London in around 45 minutes. Or speed in via Watford Junction.

North Watford in parts is a bit of a whole. Some parts of Bushey are quite nice. 'The Strip' isn't bad for a night out plenty of bars and clubs. The Harlequin is quite comprehensive and you've also got other retail parks nearby too.

Some nicer areas which are a short commute and all on the Met Line are Northwood, Rickmansworth, Croxley Green, Chorleywood, Moor Park (will not be cheap at all!)

Sankari · 12 Mar 2011 at 13:00

Watford Tourist Bureau was quite creative last year.

"Come to Watford, and see the Gap!"

Nexus · 12 Mar 2011 at 13:27

Evangelion said:
Watford Tourist Bureau was quite creative last year.

"Come to Watford, and see the Gap!"

Watford and Watford Gap are two totally different places.

OP I'm confused as to where you currently are? Do you already live in London? If so, then doing a reverse commute would be less busy than commuting into London as the majority do.

If you don't live in London already it seems a bit silly to be commuting out of London to get to Watford.

I used to live a bit further down the line from Watford and commuted into London. It's a very busy commuter route. From Watford Junction you can take either the Overground, London Midland and I believe possibly Virgin, but that's kind of pointless for such a short trip.

Even if you work in Watford and live nearby it's not much easier, as the ques of traffic in the morning (which you can see from the trains) are going at a snails pace.

Montala · 12 Mar 2011 at 14:05

If the office is only a short walk from the station, it should not be too hard to find somewhere nice to live within walking distance of there, which would have a great effect on your available 'free' time, and give you a far more relaxed and enjoyable 'quality of life'.

As you can probably guess I lived in that area myself for quite a few years, and have a son currently living in Watford... and thoroughly enjoying it. He bought a brand new flat (with virtually no deposit) there a couple of years ago, found himself a new girlfriend, and they are planning to get married next year.

Life is good!

ubern00b · 12 Mar 2011 at 14:07

I relocated to Watford for work around 3 years ago. I quite like living here, I relocated from London (Hampstead Heath) and used to come in everyday on the Euston - Watford Junction line. I enjoy getting up at 8:15 every morning and still getting to work for just before 9am

All I would say is dont rely on the Met line on weekends to get into London. It's not running more than it is and the replacement bus service is a pain. I live right next to the station too so it's frustrating having to walk to the Junction station when there is a perfectly good one right here that isnt running!

I would look at central or west Watford to live in. As said north Watford is a dive and basically chav central. Budget and s albans are nice but then you have a commute to think about. Where is your job located? Sounds like it could be around Clarendon Road?

Ronconcola · 18 Jun 2011 at 09:20

Hi guys, let me jump in the post, im in the exactly the same situation as "Goingtocali"
I got a job offer in Watford, just 9 min from Watford Junction Rail Station in WD24
At the moment im living with my wife in Seven Sisters, paying 850 for an open plan living with 1 double 1 single room.
I have been checking prices in the area and seems you can get 2 doubles for 850, now my only worry is what area should we choose, since the decision to relocate has been taken.
What do you think guys? I have car and I can drive to work, so it doesnt mean i have to live in the same post code, but the closer the better thats obvious, but what about living soewhere nearby? Im worried about morning traffic and so on, so please advice.