Diverse areas outside of London

[MustardYellow]

Hi all,

I've been researching into buying my first home and I am currently saving for a deposit. The crazy house prices in London means that I won't be able to afford a flat there on my salary and I've seen others recommend moving out of London.

I'm worried about living out of London as a black woman and raising a family. I wouldn't want to end up buying a property in an area that is racist or not diverse. Can anyone recommend areas 30/40 minutes away from London with reasonable house prices and where my race will not be an issue?

Thanks

I have heard from friends and family that Milton Keynes and Luton are pretty good, although I don't have personal experience to share.

If you are on Facebook, you could join the local groups for those areas and lurk for a while to see what's going on there.

Also, I would suggest visiting each for the day, so you get a vibe for the place.

Good luck!

Slough?
It probably fits the bill in terms of commuting to London, lower house prices and ethnically diverse. I used to work there, but couldn’t say whether it’s a nice place to live.

Thank you!
I don't have family or many friends outside of London so the suggestions are very helpful

I have some family in Braintree, its not as diverse as London but the town is quite friendly and my relatives' neighbours are so lovely. I dont know for sure that that is a reflection of the town but I do love visiting. Marks Farm area of Braintree is where she is.

Reading is very diverse and DH and I feel comfortable buying a house and starting a family here. I'm originally from London too.

There are loads of diverse areas outside of London. However most are city centres/town. Are you looking for a rural area? Most areas in Hertfordshire are lovely.

I was going to suggest Reading as well although house prices here have been increasing on the promise of Cross Rail

I was going to say Reading as while I've only ever worked and done sport there, I've got friends of multiple ethnicities who live there.

Milton Keynes seems fine as well. Again I've worked and done sport there and have some friends who live there.

Those two places seem fine if you don't have a car or don't want to do everything by driving if you can live in the right areas. (This is the one thing you forget if you are use to living in London that public transport is rubbish in most places outside it.)

There are towns in Herefordshire near Watford that are also diverse. I have family and friends around that way.

I also have friends and colleagues who live in Kent. Though they live in the parts just off the M25 where I've never worked or done sport.

One thing if you plan to be in a place where you will have children is look into the types of schools in the area. That way you know in advance if you have to deal with a grammar school system.