Luton and surrounding areas...

Thanks everyone!  It looks like we will be looking in Dunstable or other surrounding towns.  I looked on rightmove.co.uk and most of the places to rent are in Luton. 

Well, once I know about the job, I will contact Aless's DF's friend at the estate agents.  Maybe they will know of more places. 

Just double checking, can I take a bus from Dunstable to Luton?  I don't want to have to drive into work if I don't have to.  I may have to drive to different sites from time to time, but, would rather take the bus on the days I would be in the office.  How long is that commute time?  40 minutes or so?

http://www.luton.gov.uk/Media%20Library/Pdf/Environment%20%26%20regeneration/Engineering%20%26%20Transportation%20/Passenger%20Transport/Luton%20%26%20Dunstable%20PT%20Guide.pdf

I'm having lunch and surfing at the moment! 

Actually this link is probably more useful:
http://www.luton.gov.uk/internet/transport_and_streets/public_transport

Dar, have a look here

http://www.arrivabus.co.uk/__80256E280053B5B6.nsf/vWeb/pcCWAN5XFEHA?open&region=Shires%20and%20Essex&town=Dunstable&service=

It can take up to an hour between the 2 towns, depending on where exactly you need to go.
Just a word of warning, the bus service around here can be unpredictable, especially in bad weather so you may want to consider the option of driving if need be, especially for getting to work where lateness isnt always an option.

PM me if I can help further, good luck!

Thanks, guys!  Can anyone give me an idea of what we could expect to pay in council tax in these areas?  If it is really high, we will have to look at places with lower rents.

Good question...the estate agents can tell you what band the property is in. For example, we are in band C and so pay about £1300 per year.

This looks like a reliable website to check

http://www.voa.gov.uk/council_tax/cti_home.htm

Ahhh, ok, that's not so bad then.    Hopefully, once I land the job, we won't have an issue finding a nice place that will take dogs.

Just double checking, can I take a bus from Dunstable to Luton?  I don't want to have to drive into work if I don't have to.  I may have to drive to different sites from time to time, but, would rather take the bus on the days I would be in the office.  How long is that commute time?  40 minutes or so?

DF said it was around 15 minutes between the 2 (I suppose on the quick bus).

Other towns would be on a train line with Luton, so you could consider that as well.

Other towns would be on a train line with Luton, so you could consider that as well.

That's a great tip - definitely have a look at the train lines and note what towns/villages they stop in! That's how we're deciding where to concentrate our house hunt - we wrote down all of the train stops within an hour of where dh works and searched houses within a 20 minute or so walk of the stations.

One train line to look at (I take it into London) is First Capital Connect - lots of trains going to Luton.  You may find a few cities/towns that are on that line that would be worth looking at.  And the reverse commute would be much nicer!

There's Harlington, Flitwick and Bedford to the north, Harpenden, St. Albans, Radlett to the south.   My father used to travel from Leagrave station to St. Pancras for work every day at one time, and I used to go to school in St. Albans on that line for a year or so.  This was 30 years ago and the service was -- how shall I put this -- not exactly high standard, but when the line was running smoothly the journey times weren't too long.

I have no idea what the quality or service is like nowadays.

http://www.carlberry.co.uk/rfnlistr.asp?L1=LUT004&OP=T

I have no idea what the quality or service is like nowadays.

DF used to commute from Luton to London Bridge daily and has complained often about the 'standard' of service First Capital Connect offers.  Granted, if Dar were doing a commute to/from another town to Luton (missing the into-London mess), it would probably be slightly different.  However, for living only 1 or 2 stops away, I can't imagine that the service will be AS relevant as a longer commute...(in other words, don't fret too much about it).

First Capital Connect & Midland Mainline (fast services) are the 2 lines that run through Luton Rail Station.  Luton also has Luton Airport Parkway as a station option, but there are less trainline options.

Like other people have said, you need to consider ALL transport options: bus AND train.  Both are perfectly viable and important for decision-making!

You guys are full of suggestions!  Thanks sooo much!  Now, fingers crossed I land the job (but won't know until after the face to face interview end of November)!

Resurrecting this as we may be moving to this area.  And I need help!  Is there anywhere in Luton that is nice?  I just need some more suggestions for good places to live that aren't super expensive.

DH spent part of his life in Westoning and he finished secondary school in Harlington.  He felt safe in both.  His father still lives in Milton Keynes and his grandmother in Leagrave, I believe.  I wouldn't live where his grandma does though.  It looks a bit nasty.  Hitchin is nice, and I think a bit cheaper.  That's where his uncle just moved from.  I think it's all a bit expensive being commuter distance to London.