We want to buy a house in the next few months - can go anywhere really but it's hard to find somewhere that ticks all our boxes. Please help!
Our constraints:
- Two boys aged 3 and 1. Need good school options, preferably independent.
- Husband works in King's Cross. He has a really short commute right now, but we want more space. Not sure what commute we're ok with... We can compromise on this, but public transport options are a must.
- Would like a nice place, at least 3 bedrooms, budget around 750K. Garden is required!
- We need to be in easy reach of a good hospital with A&E. We had almost settled on moving to St Albans, which we loved for the ability to get a good sized house combined with a really easy train ride into London - but there isn't an A&E for 10 miles, which would be very hard if I needed to take the baby there on my own (baby has some issues that make this a necessity for us, at least to reduce anxiety).
- Would like a safe area with a good high street, nice community, "yummy mummy" vibe, activities for kids, green space... Could be urban or more villagey. Must be walkable with decent transit links (bus/train/tube all OK).
Some places we've considered: St Albans (no A&E but so nice to still be able to get in to London for work/activities); West Hampstead/Muswell Hill/Crouch End - pretty good but having trouble finding enough space/garden in our budget; Cambridge - checks all boxes but the commute is rough, a real possibility but worried we'll never see my hubby... We love the culture, activities, parks in London but really want to buy a place with more space and can't afford it here (Chalk Farm).
What do you think? Any ideas??! Thank you!!!