If you are planning on moving to Bedford, you will be asking yourself – Is Bedford a nice place to live? Here, we will answer this question as best we can. 

Bedford is a lovely market town, filled with beautiful green space, art and culture and many places to go out and shop or to eat. 

Within this article, we are going to delve into the question – Is Bedford a nice place to live? – by looking at everything Bedford has on offer. 

Housing In Bedford

When it comes to housing, in comparison to the town and cities surrounding it, Bedford remains relatively affordable. According to Rightmove, the average house price is £336,775, with the majority of properties being sold being semi-detached houses for an average price of £345,218. Terraced properties sold for an average of £287,688, with detached properties fetching £538,587.

For those who are wanting/needing to rent, the median rental price is £1,250 pcm. This remains relatively affordable in comparison to its neighbours, Cambridge and Milton Keynes. 

Education Options

If you have or are planning on having children, education options will be high on the list when you are asking if Bedford is a nice place to live. 

Bedford has many school options, both public and private, many of which have an Ofsted rating of Outstanding or Good. Bedford Free School which caters to children aged 11to 16, is one of the schools with an Outstanding rating. Along with Castle Newnham school, which caters to 3 to 11 year olds and Kempston Rural Primary School which caters to children aged 5 to 11.    

There are also many private schools in the area such as Bedford Modern School and Bedford Girls School. 

Green Spaces

If green spaces and nature are high on your list of priorities when it comes to moving to a place, Bedford has many beautiful green spaces for you to get excited about. 

Bedford Park is a beautiful place in which you can enjoy green space and be immersed in some of Bedford’s history as it is a Grade II listed English Heritage Victorian park. Along with this, there is also Russell Park which is a large green space with a children’s play area, football pitches, bowls green and much more. 

Employment Opportunities

Bedford has a wide range of employment opportunities as it is home to a variety of industries. These include retail, transport, logistics & IT. Some of the main employers outside are Unilever, Asda Distribution, Argos Distribution & Capita.

Transport Links And Connectivity 

Bedford has many other employment opportunities due to the excellent transport links connecting it to London and Milton Keynes. 

There are two train stations in Bedford – Bedford St Johns and Bedford – and there are regular trains to London. If you are driving, the A1 & M1 are close to Bedford and can take you to Milton Keynes, Luton and Cambridge in under an hour. 

Leisure And Recreational Activities 

Bedford has many places to shop. For anyone who enjoys shopping, there are many unique small independent retail and boutique shops. The Arcade offers a unique shopping experience straight off the High Street. It boasts a wide selection of independent shops selling designers, bespoke jewellery, fresh flowers and vintage pieces. 

If you are into health & fitness, there are many gyms and fitness centres in the area.  And, for golf lovers, there are around 15 golf courses to choose from.

Is Bedford A Nice Place To Live? 

So, is Bedford a nice place to live?

We think so, yes. It is a city where you can guarantee a good  quality of life, with many job opportunities, study opportunities and a lot to do and see in your spare time. You are also easily connected to the local area and to larger places such as London and Milton Keynes. 

If you do decide Bedford is the right place for you and need help with your move, our Bedford storage is here to help. To find out more, please give us a call on: 01234 745 881 or click here.