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!!!

maybe I have low standards bullet! We could afford to buy here and not elsewhere, but I love it here.

what a lovely house pip! is it yours?

Bullet, what do you think is wrong with the Stow? I am very happy here.

Obviously there are some shit bits, but it's much more interesting living here than some boring yummy mummy suburb.

I'm no snob, don't get me wrong. I'm Walthamstow born and bred, common as they come!

£250k won't get you much in Pinner.

Holy shit, I can't believe someone suggested Richmond.... I love the place but I could never in a million years afford to live.

How about places that are next to a nice area? You'll have the benefit of the nice borough but in a cheaper part of it.

Maybe Surbiton, Kingston, New Malden, Ham?

Woodlands - not my house, but not far from me .

Borehamwood. Lots of young families moving in.

Who suggested Richmond?

I never ever feel safe when I'm in Walthamstow. I feel safe where I live now.

My brother has been mugged two days in a row! He doesn't go out of the house with friend because he doesn't feel safe there. My mum's house has been broken into twice, and a lot of other things have happened which I don't really want to get into on here.

£350k will buy you nothing more than a flat in Surb/Kingston/Ham (especially Ham!)

Seriously, look that bit more afield like Cheam, Sutton, Carshalton...

hmmm... it depends on if you can sacrifice something. i live in a both pleasant and affordable London borough however am in a tiny four room flat. As in four rooms in total (one bedroom) I've always lived in much bigger places, but they were further out ie Hertfordshire. So have much more on doorstep, but small living space, no garden, no dining table, no spare room, guests only one at a time and sofa only!

Sorry, £250k

ten minutes walk to the Thames so that is my 'garden'and i love it

Bullet - sounds like you and your family have been unlucky. I feel very safe in Walthamstow - in the ten years I've lived here I've had my car broken into once and nothing else .

Woodlands - we live on the "village borders", as they say. Glad you like it here! I think Walthamstow is a well kept secret.

FarSide- Very unlucky it seems!

Hither Green?

Has Lewisham hospital nearby (with Paediatric A&E in addition to the usual one), lovely parks complete with lovely cafes, more cafes of the lovely type on both sides of the railway tracks, excellent public transport links (bus, train, within walking distance of DLR), decent schools and a real community feel.

Where have you moved to Bullet?

Up the road to Tottenham?

Hahahaha don't get me started on Tottenham/Wood Green!

I live in Colchester now!

Yes Hither Green is quite nice!

I live in Sidcup - the less desirable part, but still nice. Crime is v low generally, and it's a pleasant area to live.

Trains are 20-25 mins to London Bridge, we live 10 mins from the station. There are two 3 bed houses near me up for sale for £200k. Need work but money left in the budget for that....

As an alternative:

Sutton/Epsom both great places to live. Have friends with young DC there. You might struggle to get a 3 bed for £250k though.

Essex may also be worth considering, relatives live in Billericay which I've heard positive things about though I'm not sure about the journey. I'm from near Romford (don't recommend it) though nearby towns of Upminster and Hornchurch are nice. Also Brentwood though too expensive, and Chelmsford (which is probably slightly too far).

I agree with the other posters who said Medway towns/Ashford in Kent - even NE Kent would be good.
Here's a couple of ideas:

Rochester

Ashford

Canterbury

All at least 3 beds, all within 0.5 miles of station.

Trains from Rochester go into St Pancras/London Bridge/Cannon St.

Trains from Ashford go into St Pancras/Victoria

Trains from Canterbury West go into St Pancras

I am reading this and remembering why I left London but also wondering where all those people are who popped up on the other thread to say it was easy to live in London on an average salary