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!!!

Beckenham?

Maybe try Chelmsford if you want hospitals, grammar schools and less than an hour commute.

The 37-min HS train from Ashford is into St Pancras, not London Bridge.

Gosh! I live in a much loved and rather overpriced area of SE London (moved here long before property prices shot through the roof) and I drive to Bromley when I want decent shopping, rather than go to Croydon or into town. The pedestrianised High Street and The Glades are just fine aren't they? Aren't they?? Am amazed to hear it described as a dump.

I have family with small children in Horsham and they really love it there. The schools are good, nice shopping, a huge park in the centre and plenty to do. Also it seems to be full of young families -my sis has a huge social life which makes me very

She also worked in central London and the train links are very good.

We seriously looked at joining them there when we were looking to move and sometimes still wish we had.

Horsham does seem to be very popular.

Plumstead?

List here of grammars/counties etc. - thought being Wikipedia, I'm not sure how accurate and up to date the info. is. Suddenly living in the Bexley borough with its fantastic grammar schools might not seem so bad...

And I'm in agreement with a lot of the other posters above regarding your statements about certain areas - I too have grown up in the vicinity - first Bromley, then Chislehurst and now we live in Sidcup/NE. There are FAR worse areas to live/shop/go out than these, I'm actually really shocked to hear you think these places are just so awful, particuarly compared to Saaaarf Laaandon proper.

Sorry, forgot link: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_grammar_schools_in_England

YABU

Have you thought about Epsom and surrounding villages? Epsom, Ashtead, Cheam, Ewell, Stoneleigh, Epsom Downs, Tadworth etc.

I live in one of the villages outside Epsom and I am less than five minutes walk to station and trains are 30 mins to Waterloo or 35 to Victoria. We bought a 3 bed flat last year for under £200k. Loads of green space, easy access to M25, excellent schools including local single sex grammars.

Just seen comment slagging off Bromley, given that its a lovely area with excellent amenities and is described as a dump, then OP must have ideals far above and beyond us riff raff who actually live here. Good luck with your search.

I've lived in Sidcup for 10 years, and certainly don't see any decline there (or at least not when I compare it to the parts of Essex I gre up in - it is still miles better tbh) I used to work in Bromley and spent a lot of time there. I certainly wouldn't describe it as a dump! It has great shops and facilities, and lots of green open space.

Whoever mentioned Petts Wood, agree it's a lovely area, we would have moved there had we been able to afford the size of house we wanted.

I'm afraid there are good and bad areas wherever you live. People I know in Horsham moan about the proximity to Crawley, and smalltown mentality.

grew up in

Jareth because I once went to Peckham and was driven home by police because I accidentally wandered into a particularly bad bit and stuck out like a sore thumb. On the drive back they had to stop to put a knife wielding teenager into the back - it was 2pm. That is why it scares me.

Worcester Park/Stoneleigh/Epsom are all in Surrey, practically in the countryside, (lots of surrounding parks, national trust locations, green areas), 250k will get you a 3 bed semi or end of terrace with a decent garden. Shops are good, and only half an hour from London to Waterloo or London Bridge.

No parking permit needed, lots of parking available.

You can be on the M25 in 15 minutes too.

Gatwick and Heathrow are easy to get to in under an hour.

I thought you were talking about bromley in the original op. The bit I live in is lovely, outstanding primary and secondary schools, nice parks, good transport and everyone in my bit of Bromley seems to go to work. No houses for £250k though i'm afraid

Oh ffs at happiestblonde. You really do come across as incredibly ingnorant you know. Not just on this thread, btw, but almost all of your posts I've read have made me go .

I'm not sure you would get a decent house for 250k in epsom/cheam etc - it would be either in a dodgy area or a flat.

I live there, and know you can get houses for that price! In a nice area, and not just flats.

Reading, Oxford, Wokingham, High Wycombe.

Agree with omni, we were looking in a similar budget last year and couldn't find a house for under 250k in decent area near station so we got a big flat that needs doing up for just shy of £200k. No garden but we have a massive green out the front, OP is right in some ways that there is always compromise.

Are you a minor Royal, happiestblonde?

I am coming up with all sorts of reasons why a police car would give you a lift in Peckham at 2pm. I strongly suspect it must have been because one of them must have fancied you. I have honestly never heard of anyone being escorted under police protection from a "bad bit" of Peckham.

Am intrigued.

Leigh on Sea?

eg: www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-32904548.html

I think Bromley has declined in recent years so I do see where you are coming from on that CJ2010 (I'm guessing The Glades have been hit quite hard by Bluewater) though I also think from what you've said that a move out of London would make more sense as in reality anywhere in the London / Surrey / Kent borders is probably going to have a similar feel to Bromley if it is affordable. I think you need to do a LOT of leg work, basically driving round and getting the feel of places because in truth what this thread has done very well is illustrate that one person's "dump" is another person's acceptable suburb.

My house is worth about £250K, it is an ordinary 3 bed semi which most people would think of as ugly (Wimpy rather than ex-council but there are decent (not outstanding) schools locally, the village has a nice community feel, low crime and lovely walks nearby and a great local hospital BUT a commute to London Bridge from here wld be about 1hr 20 mins. I only go through the specifics so that you understand I am not being a complete snob by making an issue of the price point you are at (it's the same as me!), but the harsh reality is that kind of money means compromise and none of us can really say which compromise is going to make the most sense for you.

If you think Bromley is a dump, you won't be impressed with Brockley or surrounding areas I am the first to think that most of London is over priced now we have moved out and got so much more for our money, but OP if you don't like Bromley there's no hope for you with a budget of £250k

For those of you suggesting Brockley and surrounding areas. You may feel very differently about them once your DCs are teenagers, particularly if you have boys.

I agree! One of the reasons we moved after living there for 10 years - primary schools are ok but once you hit secondary schools it's a whole different ball game.