Relocating to St Albans?
Here’s what you need to know.
St Albans, a historic city located in Hertfordshire, England, has become a popular destination for people looking to relocate, mainly due to the easy access into central London. With its beautiful green spaces, great transport links, excellent schools, and vibrant cultural scene, it’s no surprise that more and more people are choosing to make St Albans their home.
If you are considering relocating to St Albans, or are relocating for work, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will share all the essential information you need to know about the area to help you make an informed decision about moving to St Albans.
Reasons to Move to St Albans
If you’re on the fence about moving to St Albans, or just want confirmation of your decision to move here, then here’s what makes St Albans so great!
Location and Transportation
St Albans has the best of both worlds; a relaxed and greener environment, whilst still being in close proximity to the centre of London. This well-connected city is located just off the M1 and M25 motorways for easy access to London and Heathrow airport, has direct train services into central London and both Luton and Gatwick International airports, and has an extensive local bus network that makes getting in and out of the city centre really easy.
Parks and Green Spaces
There are plenty of parks and green spaces, which provide a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of city life. Verulamium Park, located in the heart of the city, is the largest park in St Albans, and is a popular spot for picnics, walks, and sports. Other popular parks in the area include Clarence Park (home to the local football team and the cricket club), Victoria Park, and Rothamsted Park. River Ver which runs right across the city (right past Heliodoor Apartments) is great for riverside walks for the whole family.
The City’s Events
There are a constant stream of events and festivals that take place throughout the year in St Albans. The city is home to several arts venues, including the Alban Arena and the Maltings Arts Theatre. Did you know St Albans even has its own film festival? If you’re always looking for something to do, then St Albans is the place for you!
Historical City Centre
St Albans has a charming and historic city centre that’s filled with narrow streets, cobbled alleys, and historic buildings. The centrepiece of the city centre is St Albans Cathedral, a stunning medieval building that dominates the skyline. The city centre is also home to many luxury store chains, independent shops, high street shops, cafes, restaurants, and bars, which simply add to its charm and character.
Excellent Education
Hertfordshire schools are among some of the best in the country, being well above average in their ratings, with St Albans being home to some of the best state and independent schools. You can find out all you need to know about primary and secondary schools in St Albans on the Government website. As well as schools, St Albans is also within easy travelling distance of many colleges and Universities including some London campuses.
Restaurants and Bars
You are spoilt for choice when it comes to dining out. Whether you are looking for a family-friendly restaurant, or a bar where you can meet friends for a drink, there are plenty of options! You’ll find a whole host of cuisines on offer, ranging from Indian to Italian to Greek – there really is something for everyone!
Need To Know
If you’ve read this far then you’re probably packing your bags and preparing to move! So here are some more practical things about moving to St Albans that you’ll want to know:
Shopping
There are a mixture of high street and independent shops in St Albans to choose from:
Maltings (https://maltingsshoppingcentre.co.uk/) – You’ll find plenty of familiar high street names here, such as Body Shop, H&M, and TK Maxx
Christopher Place (https://christopher-place.co.uk/) – Here you’ll find the more high-end shops to peruse.
St Albans Market – Find amazing produce alongside gifts and essentials at this local market. Open on Wednesdays and Saturdays between 9am and 4.30pm, and on the second Sunday of each month between 8am and 2pm.
Food Shopping
You have the choice of 3 large supermarkets in the area:
- Waitrose (Ermine Close)
- Sainsburys (Holywell Hill)
- Morrisons (Hatfield Road)
Looking After Your Car
There are several petrol and car garages in the area as well as electric car charging points so you have everything covered there!
Hospitals
St Albans City Hospital is not a general service hospital (no walk ins) and only operates on a patient referral basis. The nearest hospitals are Watford General Hospital or Luton & Dunstable, both of which also have an Emergency Department (A&E).
House Prices
According to Rightmove, properties in St Albans have averaged around £622,246 this past year. Terraced properties make up the majority of those sales at an average price of £594,456. Flats on average sell for £333,123, and semi-detached houses come in at around £662,741. (You can check out the most up-to-date figures directly on Rightmove here: https://www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices/st-albans.html)
Our St Albans Apartments
Our St Albans apartments are located in a prime location, offering easy access to the city as well as having great transport connections to central London and Gatwick Airport.
If you are serious about moving to the area, then why not stay in one of our serviced apartments and experience St Albans for yourself firsthand? By staying with us, you’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture and explore the city at your own pace, helping you make your decision about moving (we’re confident once you’ve experienced the area, you won’t want to leave!)
Heliodoor Apartments recently became a member of the ARP (Association of Relocation Professionals). ARP is managed by a dedicated team of professionals who share a common professional interest in global mobility and the betterment of the relocation industry service provision. Our ARP membership is an attestation of our commitment to best practice, customer satisfaction and professionalism.
Our apartments provide the perfect home away from home, with all the amenities and facilities you need to feel comfortable and relaxed. So there couldn’t be a better way to ‘try out’ St Albans!
Once you’ve made the decision to move to St Albans (yay for you!), we can also help you with interim accommodation if needed. We offer short – mid-stay accommodation for those relocating, as well as working with local lettings and estate agents to help with finding your permanent home making the whole process transition much less stressful, and takes away some of the pressures of moving.
You can see all of our St Albans Apartments here: https://heliodoorapartments.com/locations/