First time buying a house in London - advise on area

[NoraDm]

Hi all,
My partner and I are planning on buying our first home in London. Our budget is £400/£425k and we are looking for a three bedroom house. My job is located in Hammersmith, though he is travelling to different locations (mainly central London), so we are looking for an area with good travel connections. And not to forget the fact good schools, as we are planning on having kids soon, and from what I know you have to live in the area in order to get a place in the school.
We have been looking on area reviews in the Internet, but not many of them mention the council houses and we just do not want to end up someplace where you are scared to walk on the streets at night.
I know our expectations should not be too high having in mind our budget, though I believe there must be something out there.
Thanks!

What about Beckenham?

www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/60899286/?search_identifier=c5ed1d0ccb312c367d395da86337f1eb

How long of a commute would you consider?

Or Bromley?

Beckenham to Hammersmith is not commutable. Do you drive or get public transport to work? I would head west on Piccadilly line. Somewhere on the Elizabeth line is probably best for your husband. We need more info.

Where are you moving from? That budget doesn't seem enough for a 3 bedroom house in London... how far are you willing to commute (train or tube)?

Abbey Wood will be part of the Elizabeth line

We both use public transport. I am currently travelling 1.5hrs to get to work, so anything that is at least 15mins less sounds amazing.

It would take about an hour to commute to Hammersmith from Beckenham.

That Bromley house is actually in Downham. You don’t want to live there.

I live in Caterham, I think it’s a nice area, 30 mins from Upper Warlingham into Victoria and lots of countryside on the doorstep. I’d recommend it, you will struggle on that budget though in most of london / outskirts

That's a pretty modest budget for a 3 bed house in the London area. Would you consider 2 beds? Something like this is about 30 mins drive from Hammersmith.

Bromley or Beckenham may not sound long but it's train. and tube. Expensive and time consuming.

Schools can change a lot from now until you actually. have to apply. for a place. I would look for. a good variety instead of focusing on single ones.

For West London your budget is not that high.

You would be better off buying somewhere like Maidenhead , Windsor or Reading and using crossrail to Paddington and a couple of stops - some nice 2 bed houses and some great 3 bed flats in that price range- or I would buy a 3 bed part buy if you can get a nice one somewhere like Ealing and buy at 50% level.

There are only 113 houses at that price range for a 3 bed house in London on Rightmove.

I'd type in your requirements, see what comes up. Most seem to be in East London.