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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think there is nowhere within commutable distance to London that I want to live?

181 replies

Teacherprebaby · 26/07/2024 10:31

Any advice greatly appreciated; if you commute to London, where do you live and what is it like? I have seen some less than desirable areas and don't want to make a mistake. I'm sure there are fabulous places, I just don't know them.

Must be within commuting distance to London Bridge/Victoria.

OP posts:
Merryoldgoat · 28/07/2024 20:16

Hangingupnow · 28/07/2024 20:03

Also lots of London secondaries are same sex which some people dislike. I think the only mixed option in Merton is a Harris for example. I mentioned Tooting upthread I think, there is a very good secondary there that’s mixed but you either need to live very close (tiny catchment) or do well on 11+

Raynes Park is mixed too but another bloody prison camp school 🙄

Hangingupnow · 28/07/2024 20:03

Also lots of London secondaries are same sex which some people dislike. I think the only mixed option in Merton is a Harris for example. I mentioned Tooting upthread I think, there is a very good secondary there that’s mixed but you either need to live very close (tiny catchment) or do well on 11+

Original poster
Teacherprebaby · 28/07/2024 20:00

Cherrysoup · 28/07/2024 19:56

I think St Albans would be ideal. Whilst you’d lose the London weighting moving out of Vauxhall, you wouldn’t miss it if you didn’t pay to commute and there are nice schools in Herts. Would you want to drive to work, ideally? You could definitely be further out, with cheaper housing, particularly if your dp only needs to be in Farringdon 3 days a week.

Obviously, you’ll probably want to have maternity leave then go back to your current school so as not to have to pay anything back. As you know, March onwards is peak time to start looking.

If I only get SMP do I still have to go back do you know?

OP posts:
Cherrysoup · 28/07/2024 19:56

I think St Albans would be ideal. Whilst you’d lose the London weighting moving out of Vauxhall, you wouldn’t miss it if you didn’t pay to commute and there are nice schools in Herts. Would you want to drive to work, ideally? You could definitely be further out, with cheaper housing, particularly if your dp only needs to be in Farringdon 3 days a week.

Obviously, you’ll probably want to have maternity leave then go back to your current school so as not to have to pay anything back. As you know, March onwards is peak time to start looking.

Hangingupnow · 28/07/2024 19:50

But Crystal Palace options will likely be Harris unless you get into Kingsdale which has a lotto admission policy.

Hangingupnow · 28/07/2024 19:47

@Teacherprebaby lol, you are not the first teacher I’ve heard say that!

belladonna22 · 28/07/2024 19:46

Teacherprebaby · 28/07/2024 18:04

We have been doing some serious research today based on all of your suggestions! Thank you so much! Tried Honour Oak Park, over budget or needs work.

Any advice on Raynes Park, New Malden or Stoneleigh? Seems like they have quick trains to Vauxhall.

We've lived in Raynes Park for several years and love it, have no intention of leaving. Husband and I both work in central London and the frequency of trains is such that we just head to the station in the morning, don't need to rush to catch one particular train every 30 mins. And from nearby you can get the district line, northern line or Thameslink, so even if the trains are stuffed you can still get home!

Lots of nice nurseries, good schools, and good proximity to both Wimbledon and Kingston. And amazing green space!

High street is smallish but has a big Waitrose, restaurants, pub, post office, dry cleaners, nail salons and several nice cafes! Three Apes, Raw Deli, Babylon, Veggieberg...

It's gotten pricier recently, but you should still be able to find what you're looking for:

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/143975186

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/146920358

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/145969601

Original poster
Teacherprebaby · 28/07/2024 19:44

TemuSpecialBuy · 28/07/2024 18:59

Crystal Palace / Sydenham / Penge

penge east goes into Farringdon
Crystal Palace runs into London Bridge and Victoria

you’d get something decent for 900k

Crystal Palace is top of my list, we are searching. Thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
Teacherprebaby · 28/07/2024 19:41

Hangingupnow · 28/07/2024 19:20

The trouble with SE London is it’s fairly dominated by Harris schools, they are a bit marmite. I can’t remember if you said you wanted state or private though so maybe irrelevant.

State and no, not a Harris, I've worked there before.

OP posts:
Therapeutic70 · 28/07/2024 19:32

Cambridge?

Hangingupnow · 28/07/2024 19:20

The trouble with SE London is it’s fairly dominated by Harris schools, they are a bit marmite. I can’t remember if you said you wanted state or private though so maybe irrelevant.

Hangingupnow · 28/07/2024 19:18

Any advice on Raynes Park, New Malden or Stoneleigh? Seems like they have quick trains to Vauxhall.

Raynes park is nice, very small high street but benefits from close proximity to Wimbledon. Best primaries are around Wimbledon Chase though from memory.

New Malden has a bigger high street & nice housing stock. I don’t think the secondary options are amazing unless you are Catholic.

Stoneleigh feels more outside of London and small high street. Not sure on schools either.

Worcester Park is one up from Stoneleigh so cheaper & faster commute. I know it has a brilliant primary & certain catchments for a very good secondary. High street not as good as NM, pretty generic.

LIZS · 28/07/2024 19:06

There is a Thameslink from Sutton which goes to Farringdon, maybe check the intermediate stations,

TemuSpecialBuy · 28/07/2024 18:59

Crystal Palace / Sydenham / Penge

penge east goes into Farringdon
Crystal Palace runs into London Bridge and Victoria

you’d get something decent for 900k

HowardTJMoon · 28/07/2024 18:49

I used to live in St Albans. As with anywhere it's got some areas that a bit less desirable than others but on the whole it's a fantastic place. I miss it.

Original poster
Teacherprebaby · 28/07/2024 18:40

User364837 · 28/07/2024 18:14

Those stations go into Waterloo rather than Victoria

(sorry that was to the person that mentioned Haslemere Portsmouth and Petersfield!)

Edited

Waterloo works too, thank you! Such helpful advice on here it's great.

OP posts:
Merryoldgoat · 28/07/2024 18:27

Teacherprebaby · 28/07/2024 18:08

Just saw this! Thank you. Any other info on New Malden?

Show quote history

It’s nice I think. Lots of restaurants and cafes on the high street. Nearby to Kingston and Richmond Park. Varied housing stock.

Large Korean population so absolutely gorgeous food around. It’s not the most ‘villagey’ feel - more ‘high street’ but I’d be happy to live there (nearly did).

The side closer to Coombe have nice houses. Also very good local schools (Coombe Hill Junior and Senior) plus a few independents and good senior schools across Kingston.

Train into Waterloo takes about 20 mins but if you get off a Vauxhall you get Victoria Line

HowardTJMoon · 28/07/2024 18:24

Carshalton is delightful but the town centre is quite small. It's not a market town but, rather, has a real village feel to it.

User364837 · 28/07/2024 18:14

Those stations go into Waterloo rather than Victoria

(sorry that was to the person that mentioned Haslemere Portsmouth and Petersfield!)

Original poster
Teacherprebaby · 28/07/2024 18:09

Oblomov24 · 28/07/2024 16:04

Your op could have been a little better. If you'd given all the important info.

London Bridge, Victoria, Vauxhall, Farringdon.
£900k
40 minutes.

Any requests? How many bedrooms. Any other requirements/wants/no-no's?

I only take the sw trains out of Waterloo towards Woking, via Clapham, Surbiton etc, so only know that train route mostly.

3/4 bed, partner fussy about two bathrooms (not just toilets), nice garden would be great as we don't have one currently. Nearish to a 'nice' high street with a few decent shops/cafes...

OP posts:
Original poster
Teacherprebaby · 28/07/2024 18:08

Merryoldgoat · 28/07/2024 15:17

Cheam Village is nice and the line goes into Victoria.

Raynes Park and New Malden are nice with good transport links.

Surbiton and Kingston (but might struggle with £900k. I prefer Surbiton.

Ashtead - bit further but pretty.

Just saw this! Thank you. Any other info on New Malden?

OP posts:
Original poster
Teacherprebaby · 28/07/2024 18:06

TikehauLilly · 28/07/2024 15:16

Surbiton
Quick travel to London
Walk along Thames to kingston or hampton court

With that in mind... esher , molsey thames ditton etc

Looking at these now...thank you!

OP posts:
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