moving to London

[sharryj]

Hi everyone, I'm currently living in the states (Virginia) we've been here for 2 years having moved previously from Ireland. We are considering moving to London but have no idea where to live. My husbands job would be around London bridge/Waterloo, but we would be interested in living in the suburbs somewhere with good public schools as we have a 7 & 5 year old.
We would want somewhere that we could afford to buy a nice 4 bed house approx 450k but within an hours commuting distance from London bridge. Am I living in a dream world with these expectations or can anyone help with some suggestions.
Thanks for your help.

[galwaygirl1971]

Hi Sharryj,

I'd advise you go onto daft.ie and look at prices there. I'm currently living in London and probably about to move back to Ireland in the Summer. I live in Walthamstow, used to work near London Bridge and my commute was 45 mins door to door. Walthamstow is zone 3, 'up and coming' area. I got my house valued - 3 bed terrace - and was quoted £600,000 by 2 estate agents. So, I would imagine that you'd find it very difficult to find a 4 bed for your budget.

[galwaygirl1971]

Sorry,

Meant rightmove.com - daft.ie is what I'm looking at!

[Schwabischeweihnachtskanne]

You could live in a nice part of Surrey - but you would be an hour out of Waterloo absolute minimum and at the top of your budget.

example

[smellsofelderberries]

You won't find a 4 bed house for £450k in London. I would try Rochester. Just over an hour on a direct train to London Bridge, Waterloo East or Charing Cross, but you'll definitely find a 4 bed for that price down that way. Expensive yearly train pass though.

[lifeisunjust]

AShford up the line to London Bridge, 1 hour 15 minutes.
You'd get a massive house in Ashford for 450k. Excellent local schools. Most housing in quite new though.
You could buy a 4 bed there and another one to rent.

[fatowl]

I'm overseas but I have a 3 reception/3 bed semi in Woking (40 mins from Waterloo) , recently valued at 460K. (Not for sale sorry it has a tenant in)
The primary schools are generally ok, 2/3 secondary's also good

[apringle]

Bromley and Croydon still have a few at the 450k level. But of courses schools, crime etc. are not the best.