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!!!

Sadly I now have reason to believe the lakes are "bigot heaven" . [shrug]. I guess every place has its downside.

thereiver - please don't bother coming back a second time. We definitely dont need any more racist numbskulls around here than we have already

headfairy.

We went to the lake once. For about 30 mins (we lived 3 hours drive away at the time). We went home because it was boring, grey, pissing with rain and we'd forgotten our wellies.

thereiver - you is a twat.

What about Heathfield (East Sussex) We are a little further out at just over an hour from Stonegate station, but its a pretty little market town with EXCELLENT local schools. My house is a lovely chalet bungalow & has a huge lounger diner, lovely decent sized kitchen & bathroom & 3 decent sized bedrooms, (smallest being about 11ft 1 by 9ft 1) it has off road parking for 2 cars & a garage. It is for sale at 205k. This is a really nice area. (google it) Apparently Wealden is the 6th nicest place to live in the country (according to my uncle) I am leaving to move to Reigate with my partner where I will need a lot more than 250k to replicate what I have here.

The Brighton line is a great line into London Bridge or Victoria. The schools in Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath are really good - primary and secondary. Burgess Hill is slightly cheaper than Haywards Heath and you would get a 3 bed on your budget.

Alternatively if you want more rural you could look at the Hastings line into Canon Street and Charring Cross and Waterloo East. You would need to go out further than Tonbridge/Tunbridge Wells to get a house on your budget but the schools are okay in that area too.

If you want an even cheaper area with good schools look at the Uckfield line into Canon Street and London Bridge. The line isn't great in terms of choice of trains or how late they run. However, the commute cost is low in comparison to other areas. Uckfield has a very good secondary school and lots of housing choice at reasonable prices. The penultimate stop on the line is Buxted, which is a lovely village/hamlet near Uckfield and Crowborough and about 12 miles from Tunbridge Wells with a fab small village primary school.

I am sorry if I offend anyone, but I think Ashford is the pits. Really horrible. The above areas are far far far far far nicer.

pingu2209 - Having grown up/been schooled in the area, I must object to anyone recommending Burgess Hill. Absolute shithole; homogenous, no culture, badly proportioned and overpriced. The only good thing about Uckfield is the Picture House and Haywards Heath is only marginally better. We're not too keen on DFLs, anyway.

Like a poster on Page 1 said, forget London and move to South Suffolk / North Essex. Trains from Marks Tay are an hour into London, it's just off the A12 so easy to get wherever you need. Ditto Ipswich (though choose a village on the outskirts)

I am new to the website but have been impressed with the responses on the forum.I am in a similar scenario to the OP,just wondering if someone could suggest nice and decent areas in Essex/East london.Don't want to be far from london as i work in the city.DH is also working in the city but doesnt like cramped places like inner city and does'nt like the SW postcode areas.

WANDSWORTH

crystal palace is great for young families, becoming very arty, has lots of independent shops, great cafes and a wonderful park, good transport and schools

most of sw london is lovely but if your budget is 250k forget it

FSlpr.You are spot on with the budget issue.No where we can afford it.Our budge is around 230-235k and in the current market conditions i think we can get at least 3bedT.People have suggested Essex,Walthamstow,ilford. But a bit skeptical about the crime rate there.I do understand that we need to compromise a bit on some issues but dont want to be living in the middle of gunfire ifk what i mean.

We know very little of Essex and East London and wondering if someone could shed some light on good areas and bad areas of it.We are looking at a place where we can just trouble free.I am more concerned about the crime as everyday you hear on news about gun shots. My kids safety comes first even though it means i have to live a bit further down.

not sure what the prices are like now but dp and I lived for many years in the Preston Road area (on the Met line) - really lovely, nice sense of community, good local shops, doctors, Northwick Park hospital nearby, lovely parks and we loved it. Anywhere from Preston Road and Northwards on the Met line is good and so easy to get into London.

Hello i need some help
I have 2 little ones < 2years and currently live in SE London. Am currently thinking of moving to Rochester and have found a wonderful house near Rochester high street and the park. Can any one tell me if its safe there ?

likewise, what's Mill road like in Gillingham? Have heard lots of horror stories about the Medway is it really that bad ?