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.

I also commented on schools in certain areas and bedrooms you would be likely to get in St Albans which the OP also didn’t ask for explicit advice on either. 😆

Thank you all, must visit as I have never been.

St Albans, harpenden, even some nice villages around Bedford, straight train to Farringdon.

It took me so long to type my list of questions that OP has answered them as asked by other posters. Ignore this.

Really really helpful suggestions. It does sound like Greater London is what I'm looking for. I've been living central for 10 years and had no idea where to start looking so honestly all of your posts have been so helpful.

Reigate, Oxted, Sanderstead, Caterham, Coulsdon. These are the type of places you want if South of London. 30/40 min commute into London, can pick up thameslink for easy access to Farringdon. Mixed demographics but many/most people sound like the Royals.

Pre covid we both commuted to London 5 days a week with 3 children from birth (from Upper Warlingham station, a really good one to be near OP as last stop in zone 6 so cheaper London prices, or Coulsdon South). Many/most people did. Perfectly doable and even more so now that most office workers are hybrid.

I have family who live in Haywards Heath who commute directly to London Bridge. It is very quiet and peaceful if that's what you're after.

We live in Leigh on Sea which is very busy with lots going on. Can get to Fenchurch St in about 40 mins.

Well you didn't exactly give us much to go on, did you? 😂 If you'd given proper details in your OP then would have got proper responses.

Assuming that you are able to get a job locally, think about places on the direct trains to Farringdon. The Buckinghamshire end of the Metropolitan line, or communities such as Hitchin come to mind.

Beautiful market town with a cafe culture is St Albans to a tee.

Partner lives there, and he'd never move. His house is a 2 bed terrace 5 minute walk from the centre. Values about £650k.

I got loads so do not worry. Costs nothing to be nice right off the bat.

Hook? Hartney Wintney? Kingsclere? Or one of the smaller towns near Basingstoke.

Catch a train. Baso or Hook to Waterloo, but change at Clapham Junction and go to Vauxhall.

For your DP, continue in to Waterloo, pick up a bike and cycle across Waterloo bridge and up to Farringdon.

South East Kent? How about Canterbury? .. really quick commute to London. 20 mins to the coast on the train. Margate old town is up and coming and there are some good schools.

I live in Whytelafe, we have two trains lines here, the Caterham Line, and the East Grinstead line. It’s 30 mins from my local station (upper warlingham) to Victoria. Lovely area, close to countryside so you’ve got the best of both worlds. Schools are excellent. I also like Banstead.

Also there’s a Thames link train that goes direct to Farringdon in the morning and a few early evening

Any views on Carshalton, Wallington, South Norwood? I'm a little concerned about how close South Norwood is to Thornton Heath.

South Norwood is probably least nice of those. Look a little further out too, within M25 and zones.

You have a healthy budget so I’m not sure why you would consider S. Norwood.

Wallington has lovely housing stock & big gardens but I’m not sure on the options if you don’t get a grammar place. Carshalton Beeches is quite nice. I prefer the Kingston side of Sutton as it’s closer to other nice places.

But outer zones are less likely to give you a 40min commute.

You are a teacher, I'd be looking to move schools.

Oxfordshire? Plenty of lovely market towns like Thame, Princes Risborough which are commutable into Marylebone for your OH.

Goodness, you’re a bit of a snob aren’t you? 🙄

Surbiton
Quick travel to London
Walk along Thames to kingston or hampton court

With that in mind... esher , molsey thames ditton etc

Cheam Village is nice and the line goes into Victoria.

Raynes Park and New Malden are nice with good transport links.

Surbiton and Kingston (but might struggle with £900k. I prefer Surbiton.

Ashtead - bit further but pretty.

South Norwood isn't that close to Thornton Heath. TH is awful, don't live there. S Norwood is OK, but no tube.