Can anybody tell me what Harlow is like please?

[mrsflibble]

ok bit of back story... there's major damp in our back room. it's a rented property and we're sick of living under someone else's roof.

we've found a deposit loan scheme which we qualify for, we may therefore be able to get on the property ladder. We're going to be sensible and not push out limits, so to be within a sensible budget we need to be somewhere cheapish, but also somewhere nearer jim's work. Harlow is still a workable distance from my parents and friends, is closer to jim's work by about 30 mins and has many houses within our budget of under £130k.

but I really need to know what it's like! I don't mind a little bit down at heel, where we are now's no knightsbridge lol, but I'd prefer not to fear for my life or get broken into on a regular basis...

so, what's it like? how can i find out?

[the.fee.fairy]

Very close to me!

Its ok i suppose. It depends on where in harlow you're going to live. The houses don't tend to have much in the way of gardens, but there are some green spaces and parks.

Its got lots of 'cheap' shops - like poundland and QS and other style shops. The town centre's got a good amount of shopoing, and a market, and i think that Mondays have a boot sale/second hand type market.

There's a boot sale at the Pinnacles every sunday, 30p to get in.

Harlow's ok. Surrounding transport is not as bad as it could be, its not the best either. The train station has direct links to London, the buses are a bit crap, but at least they go.

[mrsflibble]

thankyou for the info, and thanks everso for the links.

[the.fee.fairy]

No problems. If you give me a shout, i can have a nosey round the area you're thinking of living in if you want.

Mum and Dad lived there when i was a baby, and mum goes to an old ladies club there too, so we can find out stuff for you. The old ladies seem to know everything and everyone...

[MuddyWitch]

A friend of mine lived in Harlow in the eighties & refered to it as Harlow-Nearly-New-Town as it had been one of the post war new towns & the houses were begining to look a bit dated, but he loved the people.

I worked at the Harlow Playhouse for a while & couldn't have been made to feel more welcome. The thing I remember most about the place was the fact that they had so many roundabouts & one that went ANTICLOCKWISE!

Here's hoping you are made to feel very welcome where ever you settle, good luck

MW

[bryony]

Hi Mrs F,

Just thought I'd comment as I used to live very near to Harlow, although It's just really confirming what's already been said. it's really quite nice in places, some nice green places as fee said. Harlow Town Park's good fun for kids (and grown-ups...) There's a few dodgy areas, but that goes for anywhere really, and plenty of nice ones. I'd definately consider it. Good luck with the move, wherever you decide to go!

Bryony

[mrsflibble]

thanks guys, on closer inspecxtion the depoisit scheme isn't for us, and the damp's not structural which is good. That said, we do intend to move in a year or so so watch this space lol!!