W/SW/NW London to E Berks commute help

[darlingbudd]

I have a job in E Berks (Bracknell) but don't want to leave London. Where should I move to in London that's not too suburban (ideally close to a tube line or train station, perhaps zone 3 or 4), that's also fine for a commute by car, westwards? M3 or M4 I guess. I am single and would be looking for a studio or one bed budget up to £1500pcm.

I'm open to suggestions on location as long the transport links are good, and it's walkable to shops/restaurants etc.

Many thanks mumsnetters.

[AryaUnderfoot]

Richmond or Twickenham? Both directly on the train line to Bracknell from Waterloo.

[AryaUnderfoot]

Twickenham is commutable by car from Bracknell - I used to do the journey in the opposite direction every day.

[ronconcoke]

I commuted from twickenham to Bracknell for over 3 years and it was a doddle. Approx 30 mins by car using the M3. Easy by train too.

[MrsJamin]

I don't know your reasons for wanting to stay in London but it seems odd to pay London house prices/rent but not be paid London wages. I find Bracknell a bit soulless but there are some nice places nearby to live?

[darlingbudd]

Thanks all
I used to live in the Home Counties and I'm afraid I couldn't cope with it. I felt very isolated and hated being so far from the culture and diversity of the city. I wouldn't live outside a big city again after that experience.

Thanks for the ideas. So grateful.

Twickenham is ok - was thinking of somewhere a bit more mixed - maybe Ealing or Acton but I think maybe the commute would be too long.

[DampAndRotten]

Dunno about commute but Queen's Park is ace if you can afford it.

[EveningNoStandards]

But surely zone 3 or 4 will inevitably be suburban and probably more dreary than Home Counties with less space for your money- I went through Acton last week(on the way to Richmond) and it seemed totally suburban and not at all exciting.

[darlingbudd]

Oh I know it seems counterintuitive but I'd rather have less space and be closer to the centre of London. I spend a lot of the time at the theatre and socialising with friends in London so I like to be within an Uber-drive of home. I got very depressed in the countryside.

[AryaUnderfoot]

The commute from Ealing/Acton to Bracknell wouldn't be particularly easy. The quickest way would be by car, but that would mean using the M4. You are much better off commuting into Bracknell using the M3.

Train-wise, you would need to be somewhere on a direct line to Clapham Junction or Richmond in order to get onto the line out to Bracknell.

[darlingbudd]

Yes I think you're right Arya. I would only be commuting by car never by rail so it really needs to be near the M3. Food for thought, thanks.