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30 June 2023

Living in Bedford – Ultimate Moving Guide

Are you thinking of living in Bedford?

For those considering a move within the borders of beautiful Bedfordshire, the county’s second-largest town of Bedford may interest you.

It has in the past been a little under the radar, however, it is gaining huge popularity currently.

Bedford established itself as a pivotal market town during the early Middle Ages. Packed with history with links to the writer John Bunyan and Bedford Castle.

There are a number of immediate benefits of living in Bedford.

A rural lifestyle offering a huge expanse of beautiful countryside, but with modern conveniences to hand. Plus, fantastic travel links into London, and a myriad of impressive attractions covering all tastes.

Added to this are comparatively low property prices, certainly in most cases well below the national average and plenty of housing stock to choose from.

Bedford has become an increasingly popular place to relocate to for London escapees.

The area is home to a surprisingly cosmopolitan population and benefits from an interesting mix of cultures with many Italians calling Bedford home. In fact, it is said to be among the most ethnically diverse towns in the UK.

Not only is Bedford packed with amenities it is also well within a close radius of several other great places such as Cambridge, Oxford, Northampton, and Luton.

Bedford today is full of hidden depths as it continues to grow into one of the most flourishing towns in England.

Here we explain why it has become such a great place to live.

House Prices

Bedford Property

Being competitively priced and offering a swift commute into London makes Bedford property a very attractive option indeed.

Huge numbers have already deserted the capital eager to take advantage of Bedford’s very favourable property prices.

As far as property styles go, variety is the spice of life as they say. Bedford has all kinds of housing available.

Brand new homes, Victorian, Edwardian, 1930s, and 50s properties large and small provide buyers with no shortage of choice.

As with all towns, properties located close to Bedford Train Station are popular with commuters.

Equally as popular are homes that sit along The Grove, Bedford Park, Foster Hill Road, and Park Avenue, offering large properties perfect for growing families.

Bedford Rentals

For those new to renting in Bedford or anywhere else for that matter, it can be a little bit of a minefield.

With so many people chasing so few rentals, it can be a challenge to get in quickly enough to secure a let.

That is why it pays to do plenty of research before you opt for any given area. Speak to some of the local letting agents, they are a mine of useful local information.

It is equally as important to investigate the legalities of renting if it is your first time. You must understand what your rights are should anything go wrong.

Which.co.uk have a great source of helpful information and advice to offer before you take the plunge and lease your first property.

Once you are happy with how it all works, you can begin your search for a suitable rental in Bedford.

Bedford has a very active lettings market, but you can get a head start by ensuring your finances are in place before you attempt to apply for any properties.

Click here for some helpful renting tips.

 

Cost of Living

Cost of Living

These days it seems, no matter how hard you try to save money there is always something that comes up. The car needs new tyres, the washing machine breaks down or the roof is leaking.

Unfortunately, the cost of living is rising fast everywhere.

The expense of heating our homes is a particularly pertinent subject currently. Many of our energy providers having gone bust has resulted in thousands of people being automatically switched to other companies charging much higher rates.

Some areas of the UK are definitely cheaper and offer a lower cost of living compared to other locations. Bedford, whilst it may not be the cheapest it certainly isn’t the most expensive either.

It is already well known that the cost of renting or purchasing a home in Bedford will save you money compared to larger cities

But where else can you “cut the budget”?

Ways to Save When Living in Bedford

Whilst there is not an awful lot we can do about energy costs, here are some ideas you could try and implement to help you bring down your expenditure.

Look for entertainment venues that offer discounted rates at certain times. Pubs which have a Happy Hour”, cheaper drinks sold a little earlier in the evening.

Or you could eat out where children’s meals are served at discounted prices such as Brewer’s Fayre in Bedford, where a three-course kid’s meal is just £4.99 or less.

Get outside and explore Bedford’s wonderful parks. Priory Country Park, Harrold-Odell Country Park and Bedford Park are excellent places to enjoy green open spaces.

Using budget supermarkets such as Iceland, Lidl and Aldi (Bedford has a number of these stores) will save you money compared to other more costly food shops.

Local food markets are another great hunting ground for bargains.

Bedford market is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays and nearby Kempston Market is on each Thursday and Sunday.

These markets are packed with stalls from food to clothing and much more and mostly costing much less than branded goods.

Shop for clothing items at Primark and TK Maxx, you are sure to find a bargain at one of these popular stores saving £’s.

It may be that it takes a little more time spent in planning, but it will be well worth the effort when you see just how much you can save by implementing a few changes into your spending habits.

For more ways to help you budget more efficiently, simply visit the Money Savings Expert website.

To Do

Best things to do in Bedford

Bedford has so much when it comes to keeping everyone occupied during their spare time.

Here are a few ideas for you:

Summerfield’s Miniature Railway – Great fun for all ages, you can ride on one of the little engines and enjoy one of the many events held at the site.

Herring Green Activity Farm – part of The English School of Falconry, the farm is home to over 200 birds of prey as well as many different farm animals.

Knebworth House & Garden – A grade II listed building the country house is ideal for a leisurely stroll both through the house and its wonderful collections and its stunning gardens.

Whipsnade Zoo – It is one of two zoos (the other being London Zoo in Regent’s Park, London) that are owned by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), a charity devoted to the worldwide conservation of animals. It is now the UK’s largest zoo and home to thousands of animals. You can enjoy animal experiences, torch-light parades, and even stay over in a lodge.

Woburn Safari Park – Another famous park, Woburn is a fun-filled attraction. As well as hundreds of animals, reptiles, and birds, you can attend a workshop, meet Peppa Pig, feed the animals and other exciting things to do. With indoor play areas and high ropes, it is a suitable attraction for all children.

For even more ideas on what you can do in or near Bedford visit the Bedford Tourism website.

Employment in the Area

Historically, Bedford was a key market town in its area.

Around the Early Middle Ages, lace was a substantially important trade in Bedford.

In fact, the lace industry was a key factor in Bedford’s economy from the 16th century until the early 20th century.

Moving to the present day, Bedford’s most significant employment sectors comprise of the wholesale and retail sectors.

The biggest employers when living in Bedford include ASDA, Argos, and Unilever.

Health and social work also employ a large number of residents living in Bedford.

The areas research and development industry also provide an array of jobs for locals.

Whilst salaries are lower than those of big cities, the low cost of living in Bedford goes some way to adjusting for this.

Transport Links

Transport in Bedford

Getting around in Bedford by car, train bus or aeroplane could not be more efficient.

Bedford lies on the A6 road, and two of the most important north-south routes in Great Britain, the A1 and the M1 motorway, pass a few miles to the east and west respectively.

The town is served by two railway stations Bedford Midland and Bedford St Johns.

Services run to London as well as plenty of other larger towns and cities such as Leicester, Nottingham, Sheffield and Leeds to name a few.

The busy network of bus services Bedford provides ensures a speedy and reliable way to get around for work or pleasure.

London Luton Airport sits around 26 miles south of Bedford.

It is the fifth busiest in the UK and the fourth biggest of London’s six airports.

It is also one of the main employers in the town.

Feeling energetic? The National Cycle Network is a great way to find traffic-free routes and quiet lanes.

These routes pass through Bedford: 51 View route To Oxford, Kidlington, Bicester, Milton Keynes, Huntingdon, St Ives, Cambridge, Newmarket, Bury St Edmunds, Stowmarket, Ipswich, Felixstowe, Harwich, Wivenhoe and Colchester. Great for sightseeing and you can dip in and out of each route to suit your fitness level.

Shopping

Living in Bedford provides shoppers with a wonderful choice of shops.

Varying from well-established retailers to small independent stores and markets, living in Bedford has it all.

Bedford’s main shopping centre, the Harpur Centre, is open seven days a week and is home to 36 stores.

Shops here include all the big high street names including WHSmith, Primark and Boots.

The centre also offers free parking for shoppers on Sundays.

For those who don’t drive, the Harpur Centre is particularly easy to get to.

A short walk of 10-minutes to the train station and has a bus stop metre from the entrance means everyone will get here with ease.

For those of you who prefer a more unique shopping experience, living in Bedford is a great choice.

Living in Bedford means you can frequent the many markets the town has to offer.

Both the Bedford Gourmet Market and Bedford Farmers’ market offer amazing local produce.

Bedford’s various other markets also offer a variety of goods.

The Garden Market and Arts and Crafts Fair present a range of one-off items, whilst the Continental Market introduces produce from across Europe every June.

There are so many niche shops to find across Bedford.

The best way to explore the town is to have a wander.

Be sure to search the historic streets for your new favourite antique shop, gallery or coffee house, there are so many to find!

school supplies

Best Schools in Bedford

Education of all types is available in Bedford. State, independent, religiously affiliated, and special schools are abundant.

There are three further education colleges, and the University of Bedfordshire provides a huge number of courses for both school leavers and adult education.

According to School Guide, data based on official performance including, exam results and Ofsted inspections, the top schools below are the best in Bedford.

Bedford Modern School, Bedford Girls’ School, and Bedford School.

Bedford College, The Bedford Sixth Form and Kimberley College work together to provide post-16 education within the town.

Spread across five campuses, The University of Bedford is a popular choice for college leavers.

It has a vibrant and cosmopolitan student population that includes more than 20,000 students from over 100 countries.

The University has four faculties: Creative Arts, Technologies and Science; Education and Sport; Health and Social Sciences; and the University of Bedfordshire Business School.

Are You Still Choosing a Removals Company?

Are you considering living in Bedford?

Whether you want to make the most of Bedford’s superb transport links, enjoy the low cost of living, or make the most of the excellent schools, living in Bedford has something for all.

Offering a range of wonderful locations and an assortment of unique properties, there is certainly a home for you in Bedford!

When it comes to choosing the right mover, Lund Conlon will help to ensure that your move to Bedford is an easy, hassle-free process.

Regardless of your reasons for choosing to use a removal company for your move, Lund Conlon can help make your move effortless.

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