Help with my relocation plan

[Usedphone]

I had a relevant thread in AIBU... So here are our requirements :)

So it came to me that we can finally relocate in 4 years and change. I know that to some it might seem like too early to many, but after 10+ years, 4 years seem like a breeze!

We're moving to London. We need a three bed, and a decent secondary school. Our budget is 1 million for the house. I really don't want to be any further than zone 3.

Ideally we want to be in the SW as that's where we think we'd be more comfortable. We're fairly "alternative" and one of the reasons we want to move to London is to be able to go to concerts without having to plan a holiday around it.

Other things to consider: my husband works in boat building, but I'm assuming he'll have to change careers. We've thought in things like specialist retail (like running/cycling shops), but we're definitely open to suggestions.

There's the chance that our son could go to a faith school in Finchley, but we haven't decided if that's something we want to do or not.

My husband's family lives in East Anglia (we're also relocating to be closer to them), but I know that West London isn't necessarily the best option for that!

You mention Finchley, SW London and West London - all completely different areas. I'd recommend living near the school as it could take over an hour travelling from South to North.

Jumped out to me as well, decide where you want to be first, crossing London is a slow PITA

But that's the thing, we don't know which one is best if prioritising school or neighbourhood

You discribe yourself as alternative and have ties to east anglia maybe explore east London a bit. I live in Walthamstow and you could get a great home for a million.

How about East London/Essex? There is a boatbuilding community there. Grammar schools in Essex too. What budget do you have?

I want it to be proper urban though, which is why I don't think I'll want to go to any commuter town.

We have 1 million for a 3 bed (or 2 bed with a study).

A million is a good budget but it depends what you're looking for. It won't go far in Hampstead or Notting Hill for example or some of the more sought after areas that are more central. Most areas are diverse so no-one will blink an eye at alternative so you'll fit in anywhere.

Do you have extra on top in case your dh can't get a job quickly? SW is a nice area, Clapham, Wimbledon. NW London has Finchley with some good comprehensive schools and Camden. East London is a bit grittier with Walthamstow, Leytonstone and Wanstead as popular areas. Nice areas but slightly further out; Richmond, Dulwich, Greenwich, Blackheath.

Deptford might suit you too but it's SE London next to Greenwich. There's a river community there too.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/157272761

Lots of properties in Finchley like this.

From the projections my salary will bring around £6200 net and mortgage would be around £2700 - £3000. Our current expenses are around £2000, so even if it's only me bringing a salary for some time we should be ok.

That's such an upgrade from our current house!