To think affordable AND pleasant areas do not exist in outer London area?

[CJ2010]

I currently live on the SE London / Kent border and have had enough of it. Area is rapidly declining and the train service into London isn't great. We have a DD (1 year) and another DC on the way, so we plan to do our move in the next year or so, before we have to start worrying about schools etc.

Where we currently live, it feels like you are in the minority if you actually go to work, lots of layabouts round here & it's just generally declining. I want to live amongst respectable working people. Where is this place???!!!

Things to consider:

1. We can afford to go up to 250k for a property.

1. Need a good train service into London - DP uses London Bridge station. Plus, no more than 1 hour commute each way.

1. Good schools

1. Pleasant environment, nice people, good selection of shops and cafes, parks & green space.

1. Hospital with A & e nearby, plus a number of good doctors sugeries and dentists.

I would be really grateful for suggestions, then I can begin to work on my escape plan!

Before anyone suggests St Albans or Richmond - we can't afford them!!!

where do you live now?

Come to Honor Oak Park, it's lovely and only 12 minutes into London Bridge. Or Forest Hill or Brockley?

We must be quite close to where you are currently?!

How about ashford (Kent) 37 mins into london bridge (I think) ?
I must add - we don't live there but we are in the same situation And that's where we're thinking! Seems like a nice area - they have a waitrose!

Haywards Heath. Trains into London Bridge in a shade under an hour. Ok schools, I believe. Lots of places to eat out and a decent hospital in town.

Don't live there myself, but it's somewhere I would consider if I needed to commute into London Bridge.

I was going to say Brockley.

I would live in Greenwich if I moved back to London. Dunno what you'd get there for £250k tho.

All about South West London...

Wandsworth, Wmbledon, Kingston...

We live on St John's Hill in Wandsworth, it's right by both commons and near all the bars/cafes on Northcote Road.

Personally I wouldn't live in SE London, it scares me.

i live in a fairly pleasant area - are you suggesting we are all oiks who live in areas where the majority use the local comprehensive

New Eltham/Sidcup/Chislehurst (pushing your £250k budget for sure but might just be doable) - if you're SE London/Kent borders then you must be pretty close anyway?

Eltham Sidcup area ?

Gorran great minds

Brighton. Simple.

I lived in SE London. Blackheath isn't scary. Nor is Greenwich. Nor is Eltham, although it isn't particularly pretty.

Hardandsleazy - we're local, just said to my H is where we live that bad, after reading someone's comment above about SE London being scary! It has its problems for sure, but it's certainly not that bad...

at happiest blond- am se London in sw London now-
There are a lot of good things to be said about so that's a bit of a generalisation . There are some areas of sw London that arent that great either

Leave London and look into East Anglia/Essex area which is affordable and an easy commute into London. Failing that you could go towards Berkshire and Buckinghamshire (although i would think your tube commute would increase for the sake of a shorter overground ride) depends where you want to settle long term, do you want to be near family etc.

I think Brighton is horrible! And super expensive. I am in the minority with that opinion though, it is very trendy and popular. I hate it!

I agree eltham isn't the prettiest but does have
Some good open space , good local amenities - I grew up
There and still have family there.

happiestblonde she has 250k, that wouldnt buy a studio flat in the areas you mention, and there are some scary areas near you believe me and some parts of SE london are lovely.

OP look around Sutton, S Croydon, West wickham, all affordable family friendly areas.

Nunhead.

I have a very close friend who lives in Eltham and it seems to have a strong community feel. A lot of London feels very transient - young people living there for short periods etc, whereas Eltham is quite 'settled' with a range of ages and friendly neighbours.

Oxford. 1 hour from Paddington. mind you, £250k wouldn't get you a 3 bed terrace there, either.

Agree with Nunhead, Brockley, anything in that area.

happiestblonde, you total nork - why would SE London scare you?!

Having spent over 10 years in Whitechapel, Brighton is a literal breath of fresh air for us. Has all that the OP describes in her requirements. I'm glad you know you are in the minority, emsy. Brighton beach is dreadful, but we go to Worthing for good, clean, empty beaches when half of London spews itself onto us as soon as the sun makes the slightest hint of an appearance.

New Eltham in particular is very community-minded, it's fab! Great activities/facilities for young families, good schools and transport links.

Try New Eltham and Sidcup - house prices were high but really crashed hard in last few years.

Am amazed you can buy a freehold 3 bed house for £250,000 anywhere within an hour commute of London Bridge, tbh.