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AIBU?

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Original poster

to wonder if there are ANY houses for sale within commuting distance of London for a reasonable price?!

129 replies

MrsMcgee · 14/08/2011 20:05

Someone come and help us find somewhere to live!
We are currently in Oxford which is 2 hours each way, my poor DH certainly cant do it long term and we want to move closer in.

The trouble is, everywhere within what is a reasonable commuting time and a nice area is about half a million for your average family home!

We are currently looking at Chelmsford, Ashford (kent) and are starting to think about Reading. We would love other suggestions of places we have missed!

We have a budget of about 325,000 and want a 4 bed ideally. Somewhere with fairly good schools and a few ducks to feed :o the closer the better. Am I a bit pie in the sky?!

Wine given for best suggestion! :o

OP posts:
Dozer · 14/08/2011 21:29

Or victoria, depending on where in westminster. Ony a 15-20 min walk from victoria to parliament square, for example.

BigusBumus · 14/08/2011 21:30

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-34227488.html Hitchin

Mowlem · 14/08/2011 23:00

What about a village near Basingstoke? that's about 45 mins into Waterloo and you'll get something nice for your money there.

ShoutyBag · 14/08/2011 23:18

Sussex, Kent under an hour

CornishKK · 14/08/2011 23:28

Honor Oak Park, SE23, South East London, mainline & overground service, 12 minutes into London Bridge, then 10 minute walk?

grovel · 15/08/2011 11:56

Winkfield Row. Near windsor.

porcamiseria · 15/08/2011 11:59

try W7!!! we have a 2 bed house costs us £270K, only 15 mins from paddington

amroc18 · 15/08/2011 14:32

Rugby. Lovely town. 50 minutes to Euston on Virgin Pendolinos where you can reserve seats unlike standard commuter trains. 150k for a 3 bed semi so sure you'd get something lovely for your budget. Expensive season ticket - 6k but worth it for the house prices and quality of life.

CogitoErgoSometimes · 15/08/2011 14:51

Peterborough. Lots of lovely cheaper homes there and the trip into London is 1 hour approx.

Pendeen · 15/08/2011 15:00

Four hours a day just to commute? To London?

Shock
LordOfTheFlies · 15/08/2011 15:39

We live in Romford, Essex.( Yes, it is nice, really). And with the Olymoics coming up they are improving the transport.Though its a pain at the moment.

There are Underground and mainline stations, depending on where you are/what you want.
You have to choose your area, some better than others.

I use an Oyster card when I go to London. It's much pricier on British Rail rather than Underground. You would have to weigh this up.Also the amount of time they do engineering works that over-run. And in winter the railways sometimes just don't function Confused

And yes we have ducks in Romford. Flippin hate them. That and geese.And swans......

pootlebug · 15/08/2011 16:21

Bear in mind that 'Waterloo East' mainline station is 2 minutes walk from 'Waterloo' station proper - so include looking at those rail lines too

Gonzo33 · 15/08/2011 16:25

Please don't move to Reading, you will regret it! Agree with Fleet - got a lovely Duck Pond there and great schools

LynetteScavo · 15/08/2011 16:28

I'd say go north..house prices are cheeper, and as amroc18 says, Rugby is only 50 mins by train... or Milton Keynes.

DamselInDisarray · 15/08/2011 16:30

It's 40 minutes from Milton Keynes to Euston, and your budget will get you with a big house with access to decent schools. You'd have to actually live in MK though, but there are ducks to be fed if that's what you judge a place by.

dollydoops · 15/08/2011 17:06

Petersfield is very nice, 1 hour from Waterloo. Hang on and I will see what you can get for your money...

Dozer · 15/08/2011 17:10

North isn't that easy because the tube south to work will be a total pain (and add to commuting costs). Avoiding tube is helpful if you can.

LineRunner · 15/08/2011 17:10

MrsM tell us the best train station in London and we'll find you somewhere.

Although Hindhead Tunnel now makes the A3 commute down into Hampshire really do-able by car.

SuburbanDream · 15/08/2011 17:12

Maidstone is an easy commute to Waterloo, plus there's the river for ducks and the riverboat goes to a few nice places for visits.

I'm in the Bromley area, and that amount could get you a 3-4 bed semi certainly in Bromley/Orpington. Great connections to London, about 25 minutes to Waterloo and trains go into Victoria too. Plus there are great schools, grammar, independent and outstanding comprehensives

dollydoops · 15/08/2011 17:17

Can't make links work from my phone, sorry, but you can get four bedroom houses for under your budget. There is a lake with ducks as well!

SuburbanDream · 15/08/2011 17:17

here are some in orpington or thereabouts
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-29464636.html?premiumA=true

NorkyButNice · 15/08/2011 17:17

Our very average 3 bed semi near Bromley was 365k and a complete refurb job. Better condition 3 beds were around 400k and 4 beds were verging on 450 asking price. This was 18 months ago and unbelievably prices are going up slowly but surely.