I have been to Harlow several times, and know they have a great system of cycleways around the town that are (mostly, if not always) separate from the regular roads, so there are underpasses etc so you never seem to have to meet up with cars. Otherwise, it was a New Town so most of the houses were/are ex council. They were mostly built between 1950 and 1970, so the town looks rather samey. Plenty of open spaces. Easy to get away from Harlow into some nice villages with good pubs. Decent shopping centre, not great. Lots of "shed" type retailers on former industrial estates. No nothing about the quality of the schools. Church Langley is close to Harlow Common which is pleasant.