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AIBU?

To think the place DH wants to move to doesn’t actually exist?

126 replies

AngeloMysterioso · 15/07/2018 20:40

DH and I are desperate to move for a number of reasons, but mostly because we hate our flat and we hate our neighbours even more. DH is also desperate to move out of London.
We can’t take my income into account for a mortgage as I’m currently on a short-term contract with no guarantee of a permanent role, which has obviously had an impact on our budget. Our current flat is shared ownership, which I’m happy to do again as we’ll only be in the next place for a few years, until I have a steady salary and we can go somewhere better. However DH is refusing to consider it unless we can get a 75% share which isn’t going to happen.
Otherwise the criteria is this:

  • Budget: £240k outright or £300k Help to Buy (in which case it has to be a new build)
  • Ideally a house, or a flat with outside space/a balcony
  • Minimum 2 bedrooms as we hope to start ttc reasonably soon
  • Within 1.5 miles of train station; I can’t drive and DH doesn’t have a car so needs to be walking distance
  • Max 1hr train journey to London; we both work in the City
  • Max £3.5k annual season ticket; we currently pay £1960 in Zone 4
  • Ideally not a crappy area, but obviously anyone would say that!


DH is turning down virtually everywhere I suggest as the commute is too expensive/we can’t walk to the station/it’s a rough or rundown area. There just doesn’t seem to be anywhere that fits the bill, at least I haven’t found anywhere after many evenings searching!

It doesn’t exist, right?
OP posts:
Helpthem2018 · 15/07/2018 20:43

Off the point but can you get help to buy if it isn't your first house purchase?

bionicnemonic · 15/07/2018 20:43
Magmatic80 · 15/07/2018 20:43

Swindon will get you your house for that money. Dunno what the season ticket to London will be though.

sar302 · 15/07/2018 20:44

The commute cost jumped out at me there. My husband commutes 45minute ish into London, and the cost (including travel card) is around £6000. If you are looking at an hour away, there's no way you're getting anything for 3.5k!

Good luck, it's hard to leave London...

bionicnemonic · 15/07/2018 20:44
Jfw82 · 15/07/2018 20:46

Live in Southend and train to Liverpool st it fenchurch st is about an hour and season ticket c.£3.5k- worth a look?

Winosaurus · 15/07/2018 20:46

Coventry. It’s 54 mins from Coventry to Euston station, loads of new builds and loads of local train stations.
You’ve literally described where I live

AngeloMysterioso · 15/07/2018 20:48

Bionic good suggestions, I'm keen on Colchester but the season ticket from there is over £6k, and was swiftly vetoed by DH! Sad Similarly Chelmsford which is over £5k.

OP posts:
RedSkyLastNight · 15/07/2018 20:48

You could buy a 2 bed in Milton Keynes within walking distance of the station for that. About 40 minutes into London. Season ticket would be more than your budget though.

barleyfive · 15/07/2018 20:48

Swindon, bar the budget for a season ticket. Also in regards to the 1 hour to London, it is worth considering which stations are close to work; Swindon would be Paddington for example, and if he is central will require a tube journey also.

Tartle · 15/07/2018 20:50

Hitchin, Hatfield Stevenage etc?

Train pass is closer to 4.5k I think but 20 mins to kings x and not as pricey as some areas.

Branleuse · 15/07/2018 20:50

Colchester? But i think your season ticket for anywhere within an hour of london is likely to be a bit more than that tbh

AngeloMysterioso · 15/07/2018 20:50

Helpthem2018 you can get an HtB equity loan but it has to be a new build property. So if we're buying outright we can afford up to £240k, with a HtB equity loan £300k. But new builds tend to be more expensive and further from train stations etc which brings us back to square 1

OP posts:
Motoko · 15/07/2018 20:51

Get him to do the searching! If he's adamant about his criteria, and believes it's possible, tell him to show you.

Treacletoots · 15/07/2018 20:51

Very left field but have you checked out locations on the virgin east coast line? Even as far out (and incredibly cheap housing) as Lincoln it's still only and hour on the line.

User121 · 15/07/2018 20:52

bonic did you read the 'max £3.5k season ticket'? It's over £5k from Colchester!

Hippopotas · 15/07/2018 20:54

Milton Keynes or Stevenage are good bets but the season ticket thing will be more than 3.5k

PrettyWisdomous · 15/07/2018 20:54
Redundancy1 · 15/07/2018 20:56

Leighton buzzard?

AppleKatie · 15/07/2018 20:58

Arlesey? Not sure on season ticket cost but definitely properties in your budget and 45mins to kings cross.

Petalflowers · 15/07/2018 21:00

Not sure about season ticket prices.

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Hidillyho · 15/07/2018 21:00

Hayward’s Heath could be an option depending on where you need to go in London

Tartsamazeballs · 15/07/2018 21:02

Yeh you just described Bracknell.

Season ticket £3.5k, 1 hour into London Waterloo, you'd get a decent 2 bed maisonette around the £240k mark and possibly a 3 bed flat.

Brand new town centre and nice mix of town and countryside so it's not the "hurr durr concrete roundabout" place it used to be.

Changingeveryth · 15/07/2018 21:03

Around three bridges station? You might get lucky and manage Horley or Merstham.

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