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!!!

Haywards Heath is worth considering. Brighton is too pricey for property - £250 won't get you a three-bed in reasonable reach of the station and the commute is minimum an hour (with frequent delays). Sutton/Carshalton is good for schools, very dull, but reasonable people imo.

Maybe, though I don't go with the plummy mummies, there were a crowd there last time I went.

Ah well, at least we have scabby Abbey Wood to look down on

Don't forget chavvy Thamesmead too...

welwyn garden city, welwyn, knebworth, hitchin, radlett - all herts, all quite pleasant, all super easy commutes.

op, come to Redhill, my dh works at London Bridge and he does it in an hour. Trains very good from Redhill station (on the Gatwick line so they're very regular), your close to the M25 so able to get anywhere in the country pretty quickly. Easily get to the south coast (Brighton is an hour away) lots of lovely countryside around, good schools (I'm in between two Ofsted outstanding schools), East Surrey hospital is down the road - I can attest to the excellent post natal care - inifinitely better than St George's Tooting!

for £250 you can get a 3 bed semi easily....

on for £265 but you could offer £250

Gah! I do know how to spell you're honestly!

To further big up Redhill, there are lots of lovely parks nearby. Redhill town centre isn't the prettiest, but it's currently in planning for a big investment to smarten it up. Reigate is only a mile down the road and it's lovely, proper 18thC market town with a fabulous park.

I was about to suggest Thamesmead as a joke. I am there right now waiting for dd to come out of a club. I Live in Belvedere but the nice bit :)

I can't believe nobody has suggested Roehampton. It's a quick bus ride to Barnes or Putney where you can get a train to Waterloo. You can get a 4 bed maisonette with a garden in a nice part for less than £250k.

Problem is everyone likes different things, I live in the sydenham, forest hill, east dulwich type area and I love it. Moved from SW london (nappy valley) which I find really pretentious and smug. I would rather chew my arm off than live in Horsham or Epsom but I have a fear of suburbia!

According to that police crime map it compares favourably with Brockley or Hither Green

Is here the place to say that in Brockley I know exactly where to buy a gun and some dope but it DOES boast an excellent train service?!

have you considered Elephant, OP?

It may be too far north but we live near Hitchin. The commute to London bridge with one change is approx 1hr 10mins. Loads of houses to choose from with your budget!

Crystal Palace- its lovely- very family friendly & v underrated!

Definitely can't get a house in Pinner for under 250k.

I know, because I was looking for a house to buy in that area last year (and I've just double-checked on Rightmove).

we live in a nearly-house in Pinner - split level flat, so like a house once you're inside, 3 bed, worth only about 190k...

and it's even in catchment for one of the schools everyone wants!

"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."

I'm sorry OP but I find your first post extremely insulting/condescending.

Whats your problem with the unemployed and those who don't work? if you think they are all feckless scroungers, perhaps the problem with your area is actually your attitude to it and the way you come across to others.

Ruislip. Less posh than Pinner but nicer (IMHO) than Watford. Good schools excellent tube (MET, Piccadilly and central) lots of green space, supermarkets hospitals etc fab local libraries, toddlers groups etc.
Only downside is Tory council, lots of pensioners ( I don't mind at all-they are lovely but does add to the not very cutting-edge feel...) and no nice pubs (though a couple of horrors.)

oooh yes, ruislip is lovely, fab mini department store and lovely craft/farmers market every other sunday.

Tunbridge Wells - or any stop along the Hastings line. Frant, Wadhurst, Stonegate

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nice one, thanks thereiver, that stink hole is what powers the country I'm afraid.

I went to the Lakes once, it was dull as shit and rained the whole time. How's that for you?