Calculating Commuting Costs (London/Home Counties)

[Yoozanaim]

Hello

We are looking to relocate for work, job will be in London, I am looking at homes within zone six, but also outside as obviously we will get more space for our money - but I am trying to work out commuting costs and it's a bit of a headache!

So, for homes outside of the Oystercard zone, prices seem to jump significantly?

I've started looking at Guildford or Woking or Sevenoaks (or similar areas/distance out), and the travel costs are such a huge hike once out of zone 6. Unless I am looking at it wrong.
Are all z6 stations the same price from a central spot or does it depend if they are on the underground or not?
It seems to me, that if we can get to a tube station and travel in from there, it would be a big saving? Do people do this? Am I missing something obvious?
Any tricks to keeping the commute costs minimal, yet not living within z6?

Existing I think. Does not necessarily mean it is particularly noisy but op mentioned it earlier as an issue for her. Caterham is also a town of several parts, overdue for regeneration like Redhill and plans are being drawn up. Personally would go for one of the smaller towns /villages nearby or Oxted. Op you really need to drive around to get a feel for what's where, make a shortlist and revisit during the week to consider level of traffic, noise, activity, commutability etc

Thank you! I sure will do, just trying to whittle things down a little and working out prices a bit in advance.

Oh ok - was going to say I've never been bothered by plane noise in Petts Wood, there's just an occasional plane from Biggin Hill.

I would second Oxted though - well connected, very green and villagey, but pricey and you do get some M25 noise.

What about Haslemere?

Not opposed to anywhere right now, will look at Haslemere, thanks. Name sounds lovely!

No help on locations, but re teenagers:
Walking distance from a park and a shop definitely. If you go for secondary school then walking distance from that too. This will make your life so much easier! If they can get a bus to go to cinema/nandos/pool that's good enough.

Bexley, Kent? Zone 5/6

Thanks. I appreciate everyone's input.

No, the bus service where I am is pretty poor, 2 or 3 an hour, no buses at all after 7pm! I was used to the fantastic London services and made the assumption that zone 6/just beyond would have decent buses: sadly not.

Trains are good into London, and places en route, or to the towns in the county, but are slow. No trains within the local area, and most people don’t live near stations (those are the priciest properties).

Some residential areas have no pavements : pedestrian routes, and councils are saving money on street lighting so it can be v dark at night.

Teens very often get driven - or get cabs - if they go out in the evenings, until they can drive. Much less independence than I had as a teen in a city. DH grew up in the sticks and cycled everywhere, but where we are the roads can be dicey with fast driving and potholes. the only people you usually see cycling are men on Sundays! The odd younger teen on a mix of roads/pavements.

“Community” can be found in all sizes of places. Villages IMO offer even less independence for teens than towns, and can be even more car reliant. Some villages on key routes where we are have constant traffic/pollution. Much also depends on traffic to where you need to go.

Fleet is a nice place to live with decent schools (but as everywhere, lots of new housing going up with infrastructure lagging behind somewhat). Season ticket is around £4k to Waterloo but if you work near Vauxhall it might be better to choose somewhere where you can get a train that stops there, as it is zone 2 and will be cheaper eg Guildford (but house prices are higher there). Or Woking.

However, SWR services have deteriorated since SWR took over from SWT so don't expect a reliable service.

I am rethinking the village notion after these comments and those on the other thread I started, which is a shame as it all sounded idyllic, but guess it's not.

Will look at Fleet, thank you.

It depends what you mean by village! None of Kenley, Cheam, Sanderstead or Wallington are as Loopytiles has experienced - I'm not sure where she is but I'd strongly recommend actually going and looking around before you write them off as this area of z6 does not feel like that, IMO. London and London borders are quite big, I'm sure you'll find something which suits you :)

Thanks, LB0CS2, I am sure we will, but I'd rather not take two years having to scout hundreds of areas - want to move and feel settled in to the area, as much as the house, sooner rather than later - get the kids set up with clubs and friends etc.

By village, I love the idea of a central green where there are summer fetes, maybe a maypole , a nice friendly bonfire party on Nov5th, a little Xmas market would be nice, maybe a village game of cricket over the summer. Ok, I'm possibly exaggerating a bit but that kind of thing really appeals, to have my children feel part of something friendly and local and people look out for each other and our kids.

Ambridge might suit

I had to look that up, but ha, very droll.