Am I being delusional to think there is somewhere in the UK that ticks all the boxes?

[WhenSunnyGetsBlue]

Single mum, looking to move out of London but struggling to find anywhere. Is my list of requirements unrealistic?

• minimum of one bed (ideally two), not a flat share
• within 1h30m of London.
• Near to a train station (for commuting)
• within 40 mins walk of shops/supermarket/schools etc
• Good schools
• affordable (no more than £1200 pcm)

-ideal if there was some green space/nice walks nearby

I'm looking back when my first flat was £325pcm and silently weeping inside.

Hope this helps: https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/155224367#/?channel=RES_LET

I know a young couple who's recently moved to Market Harbour. More affordable and an hour by train into London. May be worth looking at.

Worth looking at Reading

I am currently renting a two bed flat in Ashley Cross near Poole for £1250. It has a big balcony overlooking a beautiful shared garden and is 5mins to Parkstone train.

So if I am renting this, then many other landlords must be too. Good luck!

Woodbridge Suffolk?

Where do you need to commute to?

We're in Bicester and it's 50mins to Marylebone

Looks lovely & surprisingly affordable!

Stratford

Grantham, Lincs - 1hr on fast train to KX

Ipswich would be better than Woodbridge - or commute time - east side and go at least 10 mins walk away from town centre

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/159882644#/?channel=RES_LET

Bicester or Banbury might fit your requirements. If you don't mind a 15 minute drive to the station take a look at Brackley.

Stratford is best served by east anglia

you might also get bury at Edmund’s within 130 of Stratford

Swindon isn't cool. But it meets all your requirements. Here's a 2 bed flat by a park in catchment for the better secondary school

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/159413075#/?channel=RES_LET

And there were loads for rent under £1200pm

Thanks. Unfortunately I can't afford a car as well as rent and commuting.

There are some great suggestions here that I hadn't considered!

My priority is finding a nice area to raise DD, with good schools. But I also need to stay close to London for work and to see family, and stay within budget. I'm not picky about the property itself but anything that is child friendly would be a bonus.

Thank you, I couldn't do Swindon. Bad memories there

Colchester?
2 bed house with a garden for £1200pcm

(Don’t know about the schools, though)

Witham? Just north of Chelmsford on the line into Stratford. Don't know about schools, but I know a couple of people who live there and it seems a nice enough little town.

Colchester might also work, it's a long commute but lovely town.

I was also thinking Bicester, 2 stations with regular trains to Marylebone

Biggleswade, up and coming

https://www.zoopla.co.uk/to-rent/flats/1-bedroom/west-berkshire/newbury/

Train station and shops within half a mile, greenspace all around, Trains direct into Paddington or change at Reading for the Elizabeth line.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/158717072#/?channel=RES_LET

Battle?

Bishops Stortford is a nice town on the Stansted train line. Schools were good when I lived there a few years ago, and there is loads of green space, parks etc.
Checked the rents and there are few 2 beds for your budget, but some nice one bed maisonettes etc.

Another vote for Colchester. There are a lot of new flats near the mainline station, and some houses a bit further away, all in your price bracket.

It's not a thrilling town, but Castle Park provides absolutely fantastic open space.