Great Ashby is a quiet, family-friendly neighbourhood on the edge of Stevenage, built around safety and settled living rather than nightlife or bustle. Crime rates run well below average, air quality is good, and detached homes average £581,000, offering better value than many surrounding areas for larger properties. A strong local primary school and nearby park cover everyday family needs, though you'll need to look slightly further afield for secondary schooling and a GP surgery. Stevenage station gives commuters fast links into London, and with over 40% of residents working from home, the area clearly suits a well-qualified, flexible workforce who value space and quiet over convenience on the doorstep. The wards surrounding Great Ashby echo these themes strongly. Car dependency is the norm across the area, from Manor's lack of local bus stops or a train station to the rural villages of Weston & Sandon and Aston, Datchworth & Walkern, where the A1(M) is the main lifeline for commuting and shopping. Schools are a consistent strength throughout, with Good-rated primaries the standard and Outstanding options, including a grammar school, within reach nearby. Healthcare and bigger shops tend to sit just outside most neighbourhood boundaries, though Woodfield stands out with excellent access to hospitals and GP services close by. Housing and lifestyle vary more noticeably. St Nicholas and Manor offer some of the most affordable terraced and flat options, making them good entry points for first-time buyers, while the rural pockets of Weston & Sandon and the North Hertfordshire villages command much higher prices, with detached homes in some areas averaging over £1 million, reflecting their countryside appeal and larger plots. Across the board, though, low crime, clean air and a settled, community feel tie these neighbourhoods together, making Great Ashby and its surrounds a strong choice for families and professionals who prioritise space, safety and good schools, and who don't mind driving to reach shops, restaurants and healthcare.