Where in the UK meets this criteria?

[indigox]

Currently in Edinburgh. Need to be closer to London for bfs job. I've only ever lived in the north west of England and Edinburgh so really have no idea about the south, and there's only so much Google can tell you

Looking for something that meets this criteria:

• 2 hours max from London via train - but this train journey cant be extortionately expensive (difficult I know), ideally no more than £250 a month for 2 days in the office weekly (ruled out way too many i shortlisted myself)
• Close to a main airport (30-45mins car journey)
• Large 3 bedroom house with garden for £1600 pcm or less
• A town/city that actually has something to do during evenings/weekends and cafes/bars/restaurants, I don't want travelling into London to be the only way we can do stuff especially if its reaching our max 2hr desired commute.
• Good secondary schools (DS needs extra support)
• Near countryside but not "rural", I don't want to have to drive everywhere for a basic shop trip and so on

Then all the generic safe, low crime rate etc.
We have family in the north west so ideally an easy rail connection there but this isn't a big deal as we can always just connect via London.

Some places I'd looked at and thought may be suitable were Swindon, Newmarket and Royal Lemington Spa but other than them meeting the commute, and rental prices I don't know much about these places and train prices are SO high 😖.

As a regular and looooooooong time commuter into London Bridge, I would NOT rely on Thameslink services if you're gonna be two hours away so really you're looking at Fenchurch St therefore into Essex if north of TB, southern / southeastern if south of TB. These days I would also seriously consider looking along the Elizabeth Line.

Coventry is an hour from Euston, Birmingham is 80 mins. Birmingham International is in the middle.
Both have a lot going on in terms of music, theatre, arts and culture in general.
Coventry puts you on the doorstep of Warwickshire. Not great for shops but you have Leamington for independents and Birmingham for high street shops

Folkestone in Kent

Stamford is lovely and easy access to London.

You probably need to look south then, for trains that go into Waterloo or London Bridge.

York?

Your whole op basically describes Birmingham, although I idea about rail fares

Chesham/Tring meet pretty much all those criteria. Probably some of the other surrounding towns like Aylesbury and Wendover too.

You might not get the biggest house and garden but you’d definitely get a 3 bedder.

If you have to get to tower bridge then most of the suggestions ..north and west of london are no good !

As others have said crossing london adds an hour and more miney.

Surprised no one has mentioned Solihull and around there… Birmingham Airport is on its doorstep and the train from Birmingham International is 70 minutes or 100 minutes from Solihull station.

I had an Aunt who lived in Barnet S/W London, end of the line on the tube, I may wear rose tinted glasses but I always thought it was a wonderful place. Just looked on Rightmove and there’s so nice 2/3bed properties for £1600 or a bit less.

Sheffield!

@Favouritefruits You might struggle in Barnes though for £1600 for a large 3 bed house-as per the criteria!!

Yes, there are still nice pubs, restaurants and the Garrick Theatre. Absolutely nothing else though. I don't know if it's possible to buy a monthly pass for 2 days a week. If not & OP needs to buy daily returns they are costly in peak times & would definitely come to quite a bit more than £250 per month. You can get bargains in off peak times, but these are obviously less compatible with work.

The Solihull to Marlyebone line is very cheap (£36 return can be bought on the day, less than 2h, cheap car park), and there are some semi rural villages nearby. Close to the airport, easy access to Birmingham and trendy suburbs thereof.

Lichfield? I think the 'fast train'
To London is about 90 mins, and if booked in advance around £30.

50mins from Birmingham airport, a beautiful city but not huge, 15 mins from
Cannock chase and many many miles of fields and trees.

@Crikeyalmighty , it was Barnet not Barnes.

Have you ruled out Manchester?
2hrs 6mins to Euston. Not as cheap as £250pm but you will save on housing. Closer to family. Close to airport and loads to do. Good schools. Lots of rural locations.

I'd look at Leeds. Not as cheap in terms of commuting but you save that on rent.
Alternatively parts of Essex are cheaper to rent, maybe eg Colchester.

If you want a cheap commute then you will be looking at places like Woking, Windsor, etc. However, you won't find a large three bed for 1600pm. You might have to make some compromises!

Enfield, Cheshunt or Waltham Cross? No idea what rents are now but it's quick into London and close to countryside.

Around Reading or Slough will have something. Twyford, Tilehurst or Burnham might be worth looking at.

Market Harborough, one hour from St Pancras.

Chelmsford. Close to Stansted airport. Less than an hour into London. Lots of suburbs with family housing, very easy access to countryside but lots going on in Chelmsford itself. Train ticket per day is about £25 return, so £50 a week for 2 days, so fits your budget as well.

Reading? Parts are affordable, it's on the Elizabeth line, good access to lovely countryside nearby, 40 mins to Heathrow.