Boroughly > Guides > Moving to St Albans
St Albans is the commuter town a lot of Londoners eventually move to and rarely regret - a proper Roman city with a cathedral, good schools, and a fast train that makes it feel closer to London than half of Zone 4. It's also expensive, and that's the catch. Here's what to actually expect.
The headline is the commute: fast trains reach St Pancras in about 20 minutes, which is quicker than many Tube journeys from within London itself. Add genuinely good schools, a historic and walkable city centre, a Saturday market that's been running for over a thousand years, and easy access to countryside, and you have the near-perfect commuter package. It's the definition of "London salary, not-quite-London life."
St Albans is one of the pricier towns in Hertfordshire, and that 20-minute train is exactly why. You're paying a premium over towns slightly further out. If the price gives you pause, look at Harpenden (similar profile, one stop further), Hatfield or Watford for more house per pound - the Boroughly map will show you the exact trade-off in journey time and price.
Better than most commuter towns, honestly. St Albans has real character - the cathedral, the Roman remains at Verulamium, independent shops and pubs (it reputedly has one of the highest pub-per-head counts in the country), and a strong community feel. It's not a dormitory town where everyone vanishes to London and the centre dies at 6pm; there's a life of its own here, which is rarer than it sounds.
Families and settled professionals love it, for the schools, the space and the commute. It suits people who want a genuine town with history and independent life, not just a station with houses attached. Who might not love it: anyone on a tight budget (it's dear), and anyone chasing big-city nightlife - St Albans is lively for a town, but it's a town.
Do three things: ride the actual commute at rush hour; compare St Albans against Harpenden and Watford on the map for price-vs-journey; and walk the city on a normal weekday, not just a sunny market Saturday. The full St Albans area guide has the current prices and scores.
Fast trains reach St Pancras in about 20 minutes - quicker than many journeys from within London itself.
For commuting families it's one of the best options in the belt: fast trains, good schools, a historic walkable centre and genuine town life. The main downside is price.
Housing is generally more affordable than central London for the space, but St Albans is one of the pricier Hertfordshire towns - much of the premium is that 20-minute train.
Prices on Boroughly are calibrated to HM Land Registry / ONS averages; the life-scores are indicative estimates. Nothing here is financial advice - always view in person and do your own checks.