On the cusp of London, Watford has a foot in the capital and one in the Hertfordshire countryside. This makes it prime territory for commuters and those looking for the best of both urban and rural lifestyles. See what we mean, as we reveal some of the best new homes in Watford – according to the people who live there.
Where is Watford?
Watford is one of the larger towns in Hertfordshire. A mere 15 miles northwest of London, it’s just off the M1 and inside the circuitous M25.
If you want to live within striking distance of London, but not actually in the capital, Watford is the ideal choice. Its outstanding road and rail links make it a natural base for enjoying London as well as nearby St Albans, Hemel Hampstead and the Chiltern Hills AONB. It’s also within Zone 7 for TfL services, so you can get into London Euston in under 20 minutes.
New homes in Watford: 5 best developments
If the thought of moving to Watford appeals, take a closer look at what’s on offer. The following list is composed entirely of the top-rated new homes in Watford listed on HomeViews and ranked solely on verified resident reviews. If you see anything you like, click on it for a dedicated listing, complete with all residents’ comments.
*PLEASE NOTE these rankings take into account how recently reviews have been submitted, so may not match the overall star ratings shown. More recent reviews are given a greater weighting to reflect current building performance.
Why live in Watford?
Watford has a great offering in all the major factors that appeal to the majority of new home hunters. It combines a highly convenient location for UK travel and commuting with local assets including great schools, shopping, entertainment and green spaces. Rated in 2024 as the best place to live and work in the UK based on a number of metrics that contribute to overall growth prospects, Watford clearly has a lot to offer.
For families with school-aged children, Watford offers a high number of ‘outstanding’ rated schools and colleges. The majority of its remaining schools are ranked ‘good’.
Watford also has plenty of parks, green spaces and local beauty spots for everyone to enjoy. One of the favourites is Cassiobury Park, voted one of the top 10 parks in the UK. Watford Market is another particular highlight. This is one of the many community events that blends Watford’s strengths in terms of heritage, convenience, culinary appeal and local spirit.
If you’re a Harry Potter fan, Watford lets you step directly into that world. Here you can take the Warner Brothers Studio Tour. Explore the incredible sets, costumes, props and thousands of extra details that brought the award-winning film series to life.
And, let’s not forget that Ginger Spice Geri Halliwell was born here. If that doesn’t make you ‘wannabe’ in Watford, nothing will!
What are average property prices in Watford like?
Watford is outside London, but it doesn’t escape the high property prices associated with being so close to the capital. According to Rightmove, Watford average house prices for the past 12 months (up to September 2024) came in at around £455,000. This covers a wide range of property types, though, and cheaper prospects can still be found.
Semi-detached new homes in Watford averaged around £555,000 for this period. While averages for detached houses hit nearer the £875,000 mark.
Back in August 2021, Watford recorded the UK’s third-highest average house price increase over the previous 10 years.
If this list has been enough to turn your head, now is the time to explore new homes in Watford. Bear in mind that Hertfordshire has plenty of other great commuter towns to offer. That’s without mentioning the outstanding countryside further out. Explore this sought-after county via our area guide below.
HomeViews is the only independent review platform for residential developments in the UK. Prospective buyers and tenants use it to make an informed decision on where to live based on insights from carefully verified resident reviews. Part of Rightmove since February 2024, we’re working with developers, house builders, operators, housing associations and the Government to give residents a voice, recognise high performers and to help improve standards across the industry.
