To think there is nowhere within commutable distance to London that I want to live?

[Teacherprebaby]

Any advice greatly appreciated; if you commute to London, where do you live and what is it like? I have seen some less than desirable areas and don't want to make a mistake. I'm sure there are fabulous places, I just don't know them.

Must be within commuting distance to London Bridge/Victoria.

Having lived both east, south and north of London, in commuting distance, for many years, I much prefer north in counties of Hertfordshire and areas of East Anglia, and you’re money goes A LOT further. What gave us a 2/3 bed semi or terrace in south and east, gave us a 4 bed, 2 bathroom detached in north. The general surrounding areas in north and East Anglia are also much lovelier (in my opinion). Longer commute distance to London Bridge/Victoria but it’s all much of a muchness when you’re commuting into London anyway and the standard of living was so much better.

I would think about managing 2 commutes with a baby as well.

I know...but I genuinely am not sure so actually all of this advice is really helpful. I know I can Google but you don't really know a place from googling, better to ask people who live there.

So many families manage this.

If the Farringdon commute is more important, then try the Chilterns. Amersham, Chalfonts, Great Missenden and wendover all fit your bill.

It sounds like Reigate might suit, but commute from Redhill station direct to Farringdon.

@Didimum The only people I know who both commute into central London daily from outside London have their parents around the corner who do a lot & the others have a nanny. Everyone else I know manages it by one working locally, p/t, both wfh, different shift patterns etc.

Absolutely agree. I couldnt afford to live in St Albans, but if I could, I would. I just go there for days out.

@Teacherprebaby Everyone has to compromise so you need to work out what are your priorities.

Is it the fast commute, good schools, nice high street, close to a station, house size etc.

im in z3 on the tube & my commute door to door was 40 mins most days.

Agree with the reigate suggestion, Haywards Heath has a great commute but it's not a market town.

I'm a train nerd, as is my DD. Husband and son think we're weird.

St Albans is lovely but won’t be 40 mins unless you are just talking about the train journey. Houses close to the station are £££ but you’d get a 3 bed

Reigate is nice too but again train journey will be 40/50 mins. Stare secondaries can be an issue apparently, friend has moved because of this.

OK. That’s you. DH and I have always managed it, so do many of our friends. Just because you happen not to know of any, doesn’t mean people don’t manage it. It’s also really patronising to the OP when she has simply asked about nice areas to live – we can assume she is a competent adult who can manage what’s capable for her family without someone negatively interjecting.

loads of options.

How many days you plan to be in London, standard office type hours, your tolerance for duration and number of stages of a commute, budget and housing preferences. whether you want to pay a housing premium to be near station and/or school(s).

rail prices vary massively for different lines

We went home counties, total commute 90 mins one way and no stages by car or tube (1 hour with car/parking costs to get to faster rail line). It was bad with 2 people doing 4/5 days in London a week, fine with 2/3. Great housing but high premium for proximity to popular schools.

I maintained the commute when it was bad (4 days a week) and with 2 people doing it and 2 small DC at the time found it rough. I know lots who tried similar but only a few other couples who sustained it: (acquaintances) it was always the woman reducing hours, getting a much worse paid local job or SAH.

@Didimum wowsers, I didn’t mean to trigger you! Read my post again. All it said was “I would think about managing 2 commutes with a baby as well.”. I think it’s something to be mindful of, I never said the OP couldn’t manage it.

@Loopytiles exactly

The op is a teacher so I assumed flexi hours and remote working wasn’t an option.

Could you not live in london

More fool the poster who's so put off by estuary English. Essex/esturary snobbery is why there are some lovely areas here that are quite undervalued by London standards.

OP, I live in Gidea Park. 35 mins direct to Faringdon on the Elizabeth Line. Being in zone 6 means very frequent trains until late, excellent bus services and reasonable season ticket prices. We have great schools, lovely parks, loads of baby and toddler groups, extra curriculars, holiday clubs, lovely restaurants and cafes, a David Lloyd Club with outdoor pool. Romford just down the road when you want high street shops, cinema, ice skating, soft play. Central London a short train ride away. You can be in lovely countryside within a 10 minute drive or on the coast in about 40 minutes.

You'd get a lovely house in a leafy area for your budget.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/150679139#/?channel=RES_BUY

Not triggered at all.

It’s very simple that the OP hasn’t asked for this advice. She’s asked for advice on areas and literally says she wants to work locally.

Hertford or St Albans both nice but v expensive

Telegraph Hill and the surrounds are lovely, and bits should be in your budget. It’s where I would live if I could afford it! Easy trains to Farringdon and London Bridge depending on which station you go to, good schools, seems to be lots of community stuff going on there too. I’ve got friends there and love visiting them. I live not a million miles away, but in a decidedly less nice bit 😂

It’s very simple that the OP hasn’t asked for this advice. She’s asked for advice on areas and literally says she wants to work locally.

The OP said any advice is helpful and clearly commutes are an important factor. If she wants to dismiss my comment fair enough. You could have ignored my innocuous comment too but as I said it seems to have triggered you.

Plus she doesn’t work locally yet.