Advice on moving to Berkshire, Oxfordshire or Hertfordshire

[Escapetothewhere]

Hello mumsnet!

We're looking to move soon and could really use some advice. We need to be commutable to central London, ideally 1.5 hours or less by train, and also within 2 hours drive of Hertford. The areas we're looking at are around Berks, Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire and maybe into Surrey, but we don't know anything about the area! Insider knowledge about which towns to avoid would be brilliant. We don't like Aylesbury, Slough or Reading, and not keen on typical commuter towns, unfortunately!

We're looking for good transport links (can drive to the nearest station if necessary), great schools - state primary and secondary, ideally not grammar school area, and most importantly a strong sense of community. We're moving from inner London with two young kids and we're looking for a safe and affluent area with cafes, shops and activities for kids. I know this sounds snobby but the area we live in now is deprived and dreary and it's depressing, so looking to escape that. A village would be fine but small town better. My dream is Henley on Thames.... Our budget is up to 500k for a three bed lol.

Any and all advice would be most welcome! Is there anywhere out there that would fit the bill with our admittedly small budget for the area?

@Mumsanetta I wish we could up our budget but 500k really is pushing it as it is 🤦‍♀️ Ideally closer to 450k!

As PP suggested , Thame in Oxfordshire

£450-£500k won’t go far in some of the areas suggested. How about Bishops Stortford in Herts? Or Newbury in Berks?

Avoid Slough but Langley is ok and Iver (Richings Park especially) is nice. Not sure your budget will go that far in Iver though, maybe check (moved away a year or two ago)

edit - I’ll throw Woking and Guildford in the mix too (though further out and more of the m25 to get to Hertford)

Hi OP, rather than Berkshire / Surrey you'd get more for your money just across the border in Hampshire. The journey times are easily comparable. Fleet is ok and there are quite a few nice villages etc around there - eg you could look at Hook / Odiham / Crondall / Church Crookham / Hartley Wintney etc. Farnham and Guildford are nice but more expensive.

I would look at villages outside of Didcot if it were me.

I used to live in Sutton Courtenay near Didcot and it's lovely so I second this! You can get a 4 bed detached there for 450 https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/141968381#/?channel=RESBUY

Not in your 3 counties but should meet your criteria - Saffron Walden (station Audley End) very family friendly, good schools, safe, great community.

Just a lot of the shops have closed and it’s now all cafes! Like everywhere else really! Everyone was up in arms that we had one of those American candy and vape places open in a prime spot but that’s closed down now…!

Agree with Thame - it’s an underrated gem of a market town.

Look carefully into the rail connection though as the Chiltern line has gone backwards at a pretty dramatic pace since Covid. They don’t have enough rolling stock (and apparently won’t til 2030) so the norm is standing at peak times in the morning from Bicester/Haddenham & Thame.

Hmmm, well an American vape shop would be the highlight of my area and we don't have any cafes at all, so I'd be relatively pleased 😄