To think I can find somewhere like London outside London?

[Cheezywotsitforbrekkie]

We are considering a move outside London for the bigger house. Would have to be commutable, and not TOO far. As a result, a city like Birmingham is out of the question.

But I love London. I know I won’t get the big city feel if we aren’t in a city, but I’d at least like to feel like I’m living in a vibrant suburb that’s just a bit further from London.

currently thinking somewhere with a Brixton/ Herne Hill vibe.

its also the people, so want to move somewhere that attracts a fair number of quite arty types. ( we also aren’t loaded so don’t think we’d be able to go anywhere that attracts the banker crowd)

we aren’t particularly edgy ourselves ( like to think we are 😁) but friends who moved to Tonbridge wells came back with their tail between their legs…it was too dull for them and they aren’t wild!

so looking for places that are cheaper than London, a bit arty, community feel and with the obligatory nice coffee shop. Any ideas?

I stayed in Bristol for a fortnight and thought it was a bit of a dump except for a small high street area, found St Albans to be exceptionally dull.

However, I accept it may be because I do love London from the villagey areas, Royal Parks, urbanised areas - the rough and the smooth - the communities (African, subcontinent, Far East etc and the wealth of food), the hustle and bustle, no-one seems to care what you look like, what you wear, very happy not speaking to anyone on the train or at the bus stop and, speaking of which, transport is great and relatively cheap.

Friends do seem to enjoy living in Bristol and St. Albans, so I accept that I am biased.

Bristol

If the op had the budget for Clifton/redland they'd have the budget for Brixton/HH.
Same with Brighton really. They could probably afford it but not get much more for their money property wise, and have an expensive commute and triple the council tax.

St Albans

You could look at places like Norwich, I suppose. Or Rochester.

lol once 15 years ago??
No it's not London. But I live there and can confirm it has lots of the elements op is looking for - arty types, a city vibe, lots going on as well as a great food scene whilst being commutable to London.

Guildford if you have lots of money.

Brighton & Hove, nickname ‘London by sea’ because you have an amazing music scene, art scene , indie scene, restaurants etc but then you have 5 miles of seafront and the Downs on your doorstep.

Bristol, Folkestone, Reading, Oxford?

You get much more for your money in Hove over Brighton central, but even with smaller gardens it still feels like there’s so much outdoor space - parks, seafront obvs, The Downs National Park

Margate
Brighton
Bristol
Hastings
Bath

Think it's best you stay in London, OP. Nothing else can compare, and we wouldn't want you to lead a dull life like those of us outside the M25.

But it is as pricey as Brixton and more expensive than lots of parts of South London in the parts with the vibe the OP is looking for. I just looked at Ealing as was born and grew up near there and it is the same price as the house we are looking at in Brighton. In Brighton we need to be near a station for work in London so the prices are high in those areas and happen to be where the independent coffee shops, cafes and music scene that is walkable at night.

Chesham is on the end of the Met Line and is a bit like you describe, lots of independent restaurants and quite arty.

This is the actual issue!

The only way you’re going to get this is by moving to another whopping city, and even then London is so much larger than everywhere else you might struggle. Bristol is the most obvious option, but some areas of Manchester and Birmingham might suit? Brighton?

Bristol, Brighton, Cardiff

She's said Birmingham is too far, so I'm guessing Manchester is as well.

Brighton, Guildford, Oxford, Bristol ? Although unlikely to be significantly cheaper

Don’t move to Birmingham it’s a shit hole. Used to live in a really nice suburb of Birmingham for 20 years. Left after almost daily knife crimes in local parks, lots of kids in my sons secondary school class had English as a second language meaning most of lessons were interrupted.

Spent years happily walking round Birmingham city centre, at day and night. Recently returned at 5pm I actually felt scared and intimidated, lots of mentally unwell homeless, there were a lot of men walking around who just walked straight at you expecting you to move. Lots of racial tension.

Lots of Starbucks and costas for your iced oat latte though and lots of independent curry houses (in my mind I haven’t found a curry outside Birmingham that’s as good).

St Albans.

Comprehension issue? Not far from London..

Have you looked at Chingford or Highams Park? Still London and commutable to Liverpool Street in 25 mins but affordable and have a great vibe.