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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Good (affordable) towns near London?

108 replies

UnsureHmm · 19/03/2023 22:19

Apologies, posting for traffic.

I am looking to move out of London over the next couple of years as I cannot afford to buy in london.

I am also not sure of the surrounding areas as I am from up north originally. Unfortunately, I need to be near London for mine and my partners work.

Which towns/areas are good for families with kids, with good schools etc.

OP posts:
Original poster
UnsureHmm · 19/03/2023 22:20

I guess preferably Surrey/Kent as my daughter's grandma lives in South London.

OP posts:
LIZS · 19/03/2023 22:21

How are you defining affordable? What are your priorities?

SocksAndTheCity · 19/03/2023 22:24

You might want to give Sevenoaks a miss Grin

Original poster
UnsureHmm · 19/03/2023 22:24

So the budget would be 400k prefably for a 3 bed place (flat or house, obviouslyI would prefer a house but I understand the first step on the property ladder will probablybe a flat.) I would also prefer a flat in a good area, to a house in a bad area.

I need to be in london 2 days a week and my partner 3 days a week.

The commute time doesn't matter too much as we can work alternate days in the office.

OP posts:
ACynicalDad · 19/03/2023 22:25

You might still get that in Abbey Wood’s and still be on the Lizzy line

Expectingfirstbaby · 19/03/2023 22:25

Best thing to do is make a list of places you can buy a home the size you want in your budget (use rightmove to check house prices) and then do the legwork and see if you like the area. Maybe one/two areas each weekend and call it a day out.

Out of interest what is your budget and how many bedrooms are you looking for? Any other requirements?

Original poster
UnsureHmm · 19/03/2023 22:27

ACynicalDad · 19/03/2023 22:25

You might still get that in Abbey Wood’s and still be on the Lizzy line

I live in woolwich now and have looked at Abbey Wood, I guess my worry is that the secondary schools in the area aren't great.

So I guess schools are my main priority, I was thinking of moving into grammar areas, but then what if she doesn't get into a grammar school

OP posts:
Original poster
UnsureHmm · 19/03/2023 22:28

Budget 400k
3 beds
Flat/house, would love a garden but not essential.
Good schools.

OP posts:
Chickenly · 19/03/2023 22:30

Surrey or Kent with a feasible London commute for a 3 bed for £400,000? 😯

You’d be better off looking further north on the lines towards Bedford or Cambridge or Essex direction maybe? Anything in Surrey/Kent for that price would be so far from a station that your commute would be torturous.

I haven’t massively looked into it but out towards Oxford (not Oxford itself) may have something affordable.

ACynicalDad · 19/03/2023 22:30

Dartford and Medway might get you affordable grammars

Chickenly · 19/03/2023 22:32

Where in London? You could add an hour to your daily commute going into Waterloo rather than Liverpool Street, or going into Kings Cross instead of London Bridge etc.

Ivesaidenough · 19/03/2023 22:32

What about Sutton? We were looking there and the surrounds a while back, as it was affordable and there are some really good grammar schools.

Capricornone1 · 19/03/2023 22:53

North Herts

Drakmo · 19/03/2023 22:55

Dagenham

HazelBite · 19/03/2023 22:58

Watford, Hemel Hempstead, both in Herts. You would only be able to get a flat in Watford in your budget, as prices have risen recently, due to people relocating from London due to good transport links.

Soproudoflionesses · 19/03/2023 23:00

Chelmsford

HazelBite · 19/03/2023 23:01

Just to add, schools in Hemel Hempstead and Watford very good, Watford has good Grammar schools

Wowzel · 19/03/2023 23:05

Reading? 25 mins to Paddington but peak time trains are expensive

Sisiwawa · 19/03/2023 23:06

Tonbridge, Dartford, the Medway towns, or a flat in Bromley, Orpington. All in reach of the grammars

Deftandglory · 19/03/2023 23:16

How about posh Hampshire. A small village outside of the main commuter town could work. Liss for example. Even has a direct train to London twice an hour although it’s only the slower trains ( 1hr and 15 to London). Lots of countryside.
There’s a few in budget. A large village primary and two excellent state secondaries to chose from.
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/131228582#/?channel=RES_BUY

qpmz · 19/03/2023 23:21

Edenbridge/Hurst Green eg.
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/128583758

Burgess Hill eg.
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/132205793

Fredface · 19/03/2023 23:28

Northamptonshire, 50 minutes to Euston from Northampton. OR 1 hour to St pancras Market Harborough 50 minutes Kettering or Wellingborough easy commute back up north via a14/n1/m6 easy commute to surrey via euston/vicky line/waterloo. Beautiful countryside, great schools. Look at villages, kislingbury, bugbrooke, Brixworth (pricy) or chapel/ church brampton ( top ten villages in UK from the Times)

qpmz · 19/03/2023 23:41

The OP said she prefers South to be near relatives yet people are suggesting North of London!

Yes there are homes under £400k in Kent/Surrey.

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