To ask you where to live

[MovingOutofZone2]

Cross post with property. DH and I currently live in a flat in London. We’re planning on moving out, in search of a decent sized garden and an actual house. The thirty something dream.

We’re in our early thirties, no kids, but currently TTC. He works in the City, so needs decent links into Liverpool Street (or London Bridge). I mostly wfh.

We’re an interracial couple (he’s white and I’m black), so would like somewhere fairly diverse. (Recommendations from POC are especially welcome). Good schools, access to the countryside, and decent restaurants/bars/pubs.

Budget is up to £850K. If you were us, where would you move? We have no real links to anywhere other than London (neither of us is English), so pretty open minded. Probably staying South East, as a super long commute would make DH miserable + we still want to be able to see our friends.

Clue is in the name. Norf London zone 2
have also lived Sarf and Wesr London too when in rentals

I think you’ve misunderstood the question. But, you’ve already been super helpful on the Property thread.

Manchester every time.

yes, you’re right! Apologies I misinterpreted it as chatty hey, where do you live post
good luck househunting

No tips, but wow!! That's a great budget!!

We’d definitely consider Manchester to London to be a super long commute.

I live in North Norfolk and I love it you'd find something really lovely here for that budget

I live in Sydenham and love it, well connected and leafy with great parks nearby. Brockley, Crystal Palace also lovely

Also have a 6 month old and it's a v baby friendly area

Reading? Admittedly not the most beautiful city. But parts of it are nice (eg Caversham with very good primary school) Very good access to central/east London with Elizabeth line now. Surrounding countryside is rather lovely. Very diverse. Plenty of facilities.

Or depending on how you feel about village life and how much house you want for your money, you could opt for the nearby villages (Pangbourne, Goring). The commute isn't any longer as the train to Reading can be quicker than walk to station. But less frequent.

I’m sure it’s lovely, but not sure that’s commutable.

I like all those places and they are totally on the list. Exact vibe that we're looking for, but you get so much more bang for your buck if you go a bit further out. It’s a toughie.

I don’t know that area at all, but will check it out. Thank you.

Hitchin Hertfordshire, it's lovely.

I've not long moved out of SW London to Bedford and it's lovely - just over an hour to London Bridge, you'd get a decent property here for your budget

Chelmsford. 30 minutes into Liverpool Street every 10 minutes or less at peak times. Great small city vibe.

Leigh on Sea! 45 mins to London, amazing place to raise a family, very close to the countryside.

Kent coast and I love it

I grew up in an affluent part of North London. I now live in North Herts, Hitchin side of Stevenage, semi rural and cheap in comparison to London and excellent fast commuter links.

St Albans is nice. I also like Carshalton, you can get some nice big houses in your budget there. Also Banstead, Ashtead and Chipstead. The further you go out of London the less diverse it is in my experience but you balance this with the space and size of the house.

It is, love Hitchin

Orpington, Bromley, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge.

The further out you move, won’t you just spend more on commuting costs? It could get really pricey.

Not a massive factor for us, tbh. We won’t be coming into London every day, and we’re not moving anywhere that’s more than an hour away (absolute max, I think).

Cambridge. My brother and SIL live there and love it