The London exodus: top schools, the best areas and new homes for first-time buyers in Watford

Already "convenient", the commuter town is all set for major change as permission is granted for £1.6 billion regeneration around the train station. 
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Ruth Bloomfield10 December 2018

Why first-time buyers are moving to Watford, Hertfordshire.

Average first-time buyer spend: £303,730, which would buy a two-bedroom period terrace, or a two- to three-bedroom more modern house.

Annual price increase: 8.6 per cent. Proportion of homes sold to first-time buyers: 43 per cent.

The commute: trains from Watford Junction to Euston take around 20 minutes. An annual season ticket is priced from £2,620.

£325,000: a three-bedroom maisonette in Diamond Road, Watford

Schools: A really good choice of schools. For under-11s Field Junior School, and Chater Junior School are amongst those awarded top marks from the Government’s schools’ watchdog. For older pupils the high performing Watford Grammar School for Girls and Watford Boys are also rated “outstanding”.

What's new? This summer Watford borough council gave permission for £1.6 billion regeneration around Watford Junction station, which will eventually include up to 3,000 homes, shops, offices and two new schools. Work is due to begin soon.

A smaller scheme of 38 modern flats beside the station is already on sale. Two-bedroom homes are priced from £350,000 with Sewell & Gardner (01923 909132).

The lowdown: Watford is not a thing of beauty, useful rather than interesting, with a large, recently upgraded shopping centre taking up most of the town centre, anchored by John Lewis and with a new multiplex cinema. There is an excellent theatre, the Watford Palace, and Cassiobury Park on the fringes is fantastic. Pubs and restaurants are plentiful, but tend to be of the chain variety.

Estate agent Joe Rylett, assistant manager of the Proffitt & Holt Partnership, has lived in Watford all his life. If he had to sum it up in a single word, that word would be "convenient". He says: "Everything is on the doorstep, there is the M1 motorway, train links are good, there are lots of shops and restaurants and it is massively improving with the new shopping centre and cinema."