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Original poster

To ask where young families are moving to when leaving London?

161 replies

Yellowstickynote · 28/08/2024 10:57

DH and I live in SW London and absolutely love it. So much access to green spaces, wonderful bars & restaurants on our doorstep and so many friends in the area. Sadly, we own a 2 bed flat without lift access. We need more space, and heart is set on 3 house w/ garden, which is out of our budget if we remain in SW London.

We have Hybrid jobs (in office 1-2 days per week), so need good commuting links in to London (any London station is fine as can work from multiple offices). Most importantly, we want to move to a vibrant area which has plenty of things to do for young couples in their 30s, both with children and without. E.g. we love being near to green spaces and going to wine bars and restaurants. Some of the areas we’ve visited are lovely but so quiet and a much older crowd. We’d love to move somewhere that’s full of other young couples/families where we can make friends in the area.

Any recommendations welcome! Our budget isn’t the highest - don’t want to spend over 750k if we can help it.

OP posts:
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Porridgeislife · 29/08/2024 06:35

MyLordWizardKing · 28/08/2024 13:42

Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. There's a train direct to Marylebone which takes 1 hour. Plenty to do with children, surrounded by green spaces and National Trust properties, restaurants/nightlife is improving depending on what you're into!

The trains on the myb-ayb line are awful and not getting any better. Chiltern Rail has run the service down badly (oldest trains in the SE network) and they’re forever being interrupted by HS2 works or stopping well short of Aylesbury.

I also don’t think Aylesbury is the vibe the OP is going for…

You could just about get into Chorleywood, Little Chalfont or maybe Amersham for £750 x 3 beds. Still on the London Underground network so commuting is much cheaper than mainline trains.

JaneIves · 29/08/2024 02:27

Oxted.

Just outside M25, lovely high street with very good restaurants, couple of bars, lovely little cinema.
Trains into London 40 minutes.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/146289683?utmcampaign=property-details&utmmcontent=buying&utmmedium=sharing&utmmsource=copytoclipboard#/&channel=RES_BUY

Mummaluma · 29/08/2024 01:12

Horsham. Has everything you need, an hour into London, great schools, very safe, lovely community, lots happening, green space and the coast isn't far.

Most people have either moved here form London or grown up here.

Dinosweetpea · 29/08/2024 01:01

We moved out to Buckinghamshire, 35m to London Marylebone. 20m drive to Oxford, less than 5m drive to nearest market town with shops, cafes, bars (also 2 pubs, shop, restaurant, coffee shop in village we live in) surrounded by countryside and young families.

Fanlover1122 · 29/08/2024 00:44

Hampton, Kingston, Twickenham

Goldenbear · 29/08/2024 00:27

Goldenbear · 29/08/2024 00:21

I grew up in West London, then moved to south for a bit which I personally didn’t rate as much as it was a bit dull in comparison but I’m sure it has changed quite a bit. I would disagree with the idea that the further out you move the more you’ll get for your money, Brighton is one of the most expensive places to live in the country but could get a terrace house period property near the centre for that which is better if you want to have access to a nightlife. I would say that Hove is more of a wine bar place (although I know people who are a bit mocking of its nouveau riche credentials. Brighton North (away from the sea) is more of a pub place. Places in the suburbs don’t really have pubs or wine bars. I wouldn’t compare Reigate or Godalming to Brighton though as Brighton is a city that has its own culture a bit like Oxford and Bristol, I.e they have a vibe that is disconnected to London. I still have loads of family in West and North London as does DH and you realise when you visit them that Brighton is a bit out there still despite the influx of Londoners (I am one but came here when it was cheap and much more edgy and you could rent a huge period property seafront flat for £600 a month, my friends and I actually turned one down as it was too big!!, so I wouldn’t count myself as a DFL in the modern sense of the word).

I would agree that the commute to London from Brighton is quite annoying and expensive In fact when I was returning to work in central London after maternity leave in 2010s we thought about buying a big flat back in West London but my DH didn’t want to lose the house and thought the sea was more fun for our DC. It is very busy on the trains compared to 10/15 years ago, more commuters.

Goldenbear · 29/08/2024 00:21

I grew up in West London, then moved to south for a bit which I personally didn’t rate as much as it was a bit dull in comparison but I’m sure it has changed quite a bit. I would disagree with the idea that the further out you move the more you’ll get for your money, Brighton is one of the most expensive places to live in the country but could get a terrace house period property near the centre for that which is better if you want to have access to a nightlife. I would say that Hove is more of a wine bar place (although I know people who are a bit mocking of its nouveau riche credentials. Brighton North (away from the sea) is more of a pub place. Places in the suburbs don’t really have pubs or wine bars. I wouldn’t compare Reigate or Godalming to Brighton though as Brighton is a city that has its own culture a bit like Oxford and Bristol, I.e they have a vibe that is disconnected to London. I still have loads of family in West and North London as does DH and you realise when you visit them that Brighton is a bit out there still despite the influx of Londoners (I am one but came here when it was cheap and much more edgy and you could rent a huge period property seafront flat for £600 a month, my friends and I actually turned one down as it was too big!!, so I wouldn’t count myself as a DFL in the modern sense of the word).

oakleaffy · 28/08/2024 18:01

Bristol seems very popular for people moving from London- Surrounded by lovely countryside, but not as cheap as it once was.

DeeLight00 · 28/08/2024 17:45

Freddochips · 28/08/2024 15:31

Londoners are constantly pushed out of their hometown but to make matters worse we get no sympathy & often hated for driving prices up!

Absolutely!

Enigma52 · 28/08/2024 17:42

Another vote for Aylesbury.

As a PP mentioned, it has good links to London ( including from Amersham and Tring). A decent selection of pubs, eating places, parks and activities during the week.

doubleshift · 28/08/2024 17:32

Guildford, Cranleigh and surrounds. Drive and park at station - (Farnham rd car park for Guildford)

Bedtime91 · 28/08/2024 17:30

Berkhamsted?

Crikeyalmighty · 28/08/2024 17:28

@friendlycat yep- I would say this too- it's easy to forget your commuting costs may double- so you might get say a bit better house in Guildford or St Albans ( although neither are cheap) for the same money- but if you both commute even 1 or 2 days you will be quids down- if you can stay in zones in places like surbiton, Bromley, new Malden, Ham etc - it does make a difference and I can't see how the house posted as an example in st Albans is a better option than the ones I posted in Kingston area - which actually are in better order. I've lived in both by the way and would pick Kingston every time.

mucky123 · 28/08/2024 17:24

Berkhamsted, Harpenden,

Caffeineislife · 28/08/2024 17:22

SofieM0 · 28/08/2024 16:08

friends moved to a little market town near Nottingham. Loads to do for couples, some excellent schools and Grammar schools close by (so I’m told). We’ve had many a bottomless brunch here, plenty of green also as you’d expect! And it’s 1:15-1:30 direct to Kings Cross dep on which train company. But she works there so that’s maximum commute. walk to station but car parking is £4 a day and train tickets much cheaper - I know this only because I have been to check it out myself and off peak train from London one way was £23!. I’m in office 3 days a week in London so could make it work and I’m tempted. And you’ll get a massive house for 750k with land and maybe a pool!! Not for everyone if you have family ties in London but worth it for a lot of people.

I wouldn't say it's the vibe the OP is going for. Equally Retford is cheap for a reason. Although anywhere decent in Retford is expensive or not for sale.

The grammar school is over the county boundary so applications for it are tough, it's very oversubscribed and admit from their county first. Secondary schools options locally are not great and there isn't really an alternative without going miles away. Also the town that the grammar school is in really isn't great at all it's severely deprived and has huge drug and alcohol problems.

Public transport around Retford isn't great. Taxis are almost impossible to get and even if you book them don't turn up. Child care options are very limited, the best childcare options have very long waiting lists. School age holiday childcare is almost non existent or 9.30-2.30. hours provided by day nurseries and child minders are no good for a london commute so if you are both commuting to London on the same day you will need a nanny. Same with needing evening babysitters, it's pay 16 yr olds or nothing. Trains are very unreliable and often cancelled or heavily delayed- fine for a jolly, not so great to depend on for a commute. Especially the evening ones, DH has often got stranded in Newark or Doncaster as if the train is late it doesn't stop at Retford, they announce this whilst you are on the train.

Lots and lots of flooding happens. Every new build estate is built on flood land and the gardens are swampy all year round - I know multiple people on them and they all have swampy gardens. One is full of yellow jackets. A lot of people have massively overpaid for houses here, well above ceiling price and now trying to sell them as the area is not for them and can't make the money back.

friendlycat · 28/08/2024 17:20

Having lived in Balham and Wandsworth for over 32 years, then moved to Hampshire I would seriously consider what you want to do. Do you want to remain within the main London suburbs or move away?

If you want to swap your Balham property but stay within easy access of everything you mention in London I would look at places that have been suggested:
Cheam
Raynes Park
Worcester Park
Kingston
Epsom
Ashstead
Colliers Wood?

Bromley and surrounding areas
Beckenham and surrounding areas

Dorking - further out
Guildford - further out
Godalming - further out

Don't underestimate missing London and that vibe. Also the commuting costs back in. The further out you go yes the property is cheaper and the commute more expensive.

JoinUsTonight · 28/08/2024 17:10

StillSmallVoice · 28/08/2024 16:35

Faversham is lovely, great community with lots of young families. London (Victoria or St Pancras) are not much more than an hour, and very easy access to Canterbury, Margate etc. There's always a lot going on.

Favetsham is great but not right for people who really want to be in London

Sorrelia · 28/08/2024 17:07

Don't leave London! It's so good to live here and you can have a great flat in Zone 2, three bedrooms for that price. If you are able to forego the idea of a house with garden and can compromise on a nice flat with plenty of space and access to great parks. You will miss London, I promise.

Crikeyalmighty · 28/08/2024 16:52

@SofieM0 yep it must have improved- !! Maybe it's a younger demographic that have moved there - good if that's the case as it always had good bones but honestly was deadly ! You are right though it's a really individual thing-plenty will value a decent cheap house over other things.

Cyclebabble · 28/08/2024 16:42

Look at stations on the HS1 route (Ashford and Folkestone in particular). I commute two days from Diss. 1.75 hours to Liverpool St. Great countryside and some good bars/restaurants.

SofieM0 · 28/08/2024 16:42

Crikeyalmighty · 28/08/2024 16:32

@SofieM0 I suspect it's not the vibe the OP is after- it was always pretty dead- and has Rampton on the doorstep . I do appreciate its taste and may suit others and yes it does have some old buildings and yes you can get a massive house-

Yes I guess it depends on vibe but I have to admit it was way more buzzing than I expected, lots of wine bars, bottomless brunch places, independent shops etc. We’ve had a couple of nights out and a fabulous spa there too.

i mentioned it as I was more shocked that there’s a lot of stations on that line in cheap, nice areas and with a similar commute to London as being in London! Depends on priorities but thought worth knowing about.

The Rampton thing didn’t bother me personally, we’re never too far from something unpleasant wherever we live. But appreciate that’s something to consider.

if not for OP, someone might be interested if price & hybrid commute to London are a priority.

tedgran · 28/08/2024 16:40

You can get a four bedroom ,twi bathroom house in Whitton for £725000.

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