where to buy v diversity v budget

[onlyforeignerinthevillage]

DH, DS(2) and I live in London, most parts of which are wildly unaffordable to us (what’s new).

we’re looking at buying, would need a 3 bed minimum, budget is around 600k. We want to be around a 10/15 minutes walk from a station.
Have been looking at outer SW London, Kingston, Cheam, Sutton, Hersham, Malden new and old - around these areas, there are houses within our budget, but aware there are parts out of our budget (the various Dittons seem be out of the question).

I’m not British, and have had my share of micro aggressions, outright xenophobia, passive aggressive or just pure aggressive comments about me not belonging here, ‘different’ treatment than what DH (who is English with a shires accent) gets, etc, directed at me. This has been in different contexts, work, from staff in pubs and shops, outside of London etc.

I don’t want to live somewhere where I’m the only foreigner in the village and put myself in a position where this type of ‘experience’ is more likely, at the school gates, shops, whatever.

What are your views and experiences of these areas? Should some of them be avoided? Are some great? eg I read New Malden has a large Korean pop which is great but parts of it are right by the A3…… How far out of London in that direction can we go before I meet the “stand out like sore thumb” problem?

TIA

Kingston and Epsom are relatively diverse areas. I would probably not go much further out if I had a choice (not due to xenophobia, more so that there is not very much going on).
Some parts of New Moldon are by the A3 but it's not very busy on that stretch and is separated from the houses by a side road. I wouldn't buy somewhere bunched up right against it but a few streets away, you can't really see or hear the road and it is handy for getting around. Tolworth is diverse but depressing. Only 30 min walk from Kingston, though.
Can you afford anything in Surbiton?

I would spend 2024 exploring the UK to find where you feel most comfortable before deciding. The UK is not London.

Thanks - these are good points, having a bit going on is preferable. We can’t afford Surbiton, unfortunately. Maybe a flat but DH is set on a house.

I’ve explored the UK. I’ve been here for almost 20 years. there are reasons - which are irrelevant to my question - why around those areas are where we want to buy. Otherwise I’d be considering Brighton, Bristol, Manchester, etc

Brighton, Bristol and Manchester are all pretty cosmopolitan and £600k would buy you a decent house in those areas (maybe not Brighton).

I’m aware, thanks, it’s just that we do need to stay in that general area of SW/outer SW London, Surrey borders

I would def look at maybe ex council or cottage in Twickenham OP - we used to live in st Margaret's and it was a very mixed population diversity wise in that area. I like Kingston a lot but I think Twickenham was cheaper.

Something like this maybe

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/142234544#/?channel=RES_BUY

I see some houses within your budget in the Surbiton area. The area between Surbiton & Tolworth -about 20 minutes walk to the station - has nice green spaces (& lots of nurseries). Tolworth high street is diverse with eg lots of international foods but also an M&S and small Tescos

This house is very nice, thank you! I really like the sky light in the kitchen

Will add Twickenham to the list of places to check out

@NewYearSameName yeah no shit, but the OP asked for advice about the area they’re looking at, not ‘the whole of the UK’. Why are you like this? What’s the point of your reply?

Kingston, Sutton and Morden are very diverse.

hey OP, where did you buy in the end? :) your points about a diverse area are my reality too. Would love it if you could share your findings