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Leaving London for space, affordability and an easier family life. Where to go?

35 replies

ThisPithyRobin · 08/05/2026 16:21

It’s becoming clear that my family can’t afford to live in London. I grew up here and dearly wish to stay close to family and friends, not to mention all the cultural activities on offer. But after two years of living with my elderly parents we simply can’t find a house of our own that isn’t cramped, a wreck, or in an area we don’t feel so comfortable in. Anyone who’s been here, and moved out of the capital, where did you go and how are you finding it? We have two girls (10&12), we would like a home that’s got room for our family and our two cats, as well as a dog that my older girl is desperate for. Our family is creative and left leaning, not that politics is front and centre for us - just wouldn’t want to be somewhere that everyone else was very right wing for instance. We would like to be somewhere with a greener, calmer vibe but commutable to London a few times a week. We’re hoping to spend about £700k on a family house with a decent sized garden. Bonus if there are nice secondary schools that aren’t too old fashioned and uniform crazy (current one has no uniform and I’m dreading a move as older girl has adhd and big sensory issues). Maybe I’m expecting too much! Just hoping someone out there was made a similar change and found a place that works well for them 😊 any suggestions I’m all ears. We went to the Isle of Wight last half term and wondered if that could be a place to go- although definitely not commutable!

OP posts:
Besidemyselfwithworry · 08/05/2026 16:24

I have a friend who lives in haselmere in Sussex and it’s very nice there and they both do a mix of commuting and wfh from there - no idea about schools tho and my friend has no kids!

ForCosyLion · 08/05/2026 16:29

I think Sussex is your best bet. While Brighton proper is expensive, there are loads of surrounding areas which are not. Going east, Saltdean and Rottingdean. West is Worthing. Then there are scores of villages. Sussex is a lovely place to live. Places on the London line are Hassocks, Burgess Hill, Three Bridges, and there's also Horsham.

BambooLampshade · 08/05/2026 16:31

What do you consider to be "commutable"? An hour by train? Hour and a half?

Savvysix1984 · 08/05/2026 16:33

Cambridge?

DappledThings · 08/05/2026 16:38

What station would you prefer to commute in to? That changes what side of London to focus on looking

patioh · 08/05/2026 16:39

Besidemyselfwithworry · 08/05/2026 16:24

I have a friend who lives in haselmere in Sussex and it’s very nice there and they both do a mix of commuting and wfh from there - no idea about schools tho and my friend has no kids!

Haselmere is in Surrey Smile

Meredusoleil · 08/05/2026 16:40

Have you looked at the Outer London boroughs?

coulditbeme2323 · 08/05/2026 16:40

I would look at The Elizabeth line

Rasell · 08/05/2026 16:40

You can probably find somewhere to tick your boxes on the last few stops of the met line. Its still expensive but green, easy to get to london and quiet but not dead. Full of Londeners for exactly the same reasons as you. Good luck!

EatenTooMuchChocolateAgain · 08/05/2026 16:43

Look at Sussex - around Horsham to Haywards Heath area

BuffaloCauliflower · 08/05/2026 16:44

We moved out to Bracknell and love it. Surrounded by forest but still a good town centre, train to Waterloo in an hour. With your budget you could look in the surrounding areas, Wokingham is gorgeous but too much for us. Reading also has a lot going on.

coulditbeme2323 · 08/05/2026 16:45

BuffaloCauliflower · 08/05/2026 16:44

We moved out to Bracknell and love it. Surrounded by forest but still a good town centre, train to Waterloo in an hour. With your budget you could look in the surrounding areas, Wokingham is gorgeous but too much for us. Reading also has a lot going on.

Reading is a hole, it's becoming a bigger Slough!

ArtAngel · 08/05/2026 16:45

Stay within London limits?

Coulsdon: close to Happy Valley and Farthing Down and many other vast green spaces, great transport from Coulsdon S and Coulsdon Town ...Old Coulsdon is nice.

Great 4 bed houses easily in budget

thesealion · 08/05/2026 16:48

Your budget will absolutely get you the family home you want in an outer London borough (I know, I live here). I suspect you’re being very picky about area though. If your life, friends and family are all in London personally I wouldn’t leave. I’d rather stay and enjoy my life but compromise on ideal location

PrincessofWells · 08/05/2026 16:48

Oxfordshire, there's lovely towns or villages surrounding Oxford, with 40 min to Paddington.

Jackiebrambles · 08/05/2026 16:52

Yes your budget will get you a house with a garden in my south London area - where in London are you now op?

ThisPithyRobin · 08/05/2026 19:11

yes I’d be willing to compromise on size of house but sadly my husband is not (if he had his way we’d move to the Scottish highlands)

OP posts:
aliboob44 · 08/05/2026 19:15

Join the Facebook group ‘life after London’ if you haven’t already.

ThisPithyRobin · 08/05/2026 19:25

I’m in north London, near Highgate. Most of my family and friends are around north and northeast London. Although one brother is in Dulwich which is lovely just also crazy expensive!

OP posts:
PermanentTemporary · 08/05/2026 19:38

I’m not quite clear what size of garden you are looking for but here’s what that would buy you in Headington (the London side of Oxford). I’m pretty sure you would be in catchment for Cherwell school which doesn’t have a uniform, though Cheney school which is closer does. It doesn’t feel as quiet as perhaps you want.

PoppityBoo · 08/05/2026 19:45

Come to south Derbyshire!! That budget will buy you something lovely, and we are 15 mins from East Midlands parkway train station which gets you into St Pancras in an hour and a half.

WhereAreWeNow · 08/05/2026 19:47

Have you looked at Highams Park in NE London? Close to buzzier places like Walthamstow. Easy journey into central London. Epping Forest on your doorstep. Close to N Circular to visit your family in N London. Good schools. Nice properties. https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/87895836#/?channel=RES_BUY

Check out this 3 bedroom terraced house for sale on Rightmove

3 bedroom terraced house for sale in Silverdale Road, Highams Park, E4 for £700,000. Marketed by The Stow Brothers, Highams Park and Chingford

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/87895836#/?channel=RES_BUY

arethereanyleftatall · 08/05/2026 19:50

I imagine the problem for you will be your 12yo getting a school space. It won’t be as simple as thinking you like the town, the school is outstanding, job done. Because with towns and schools like that, there’s no spaces left.

WhatMummyMakesSheEats · 08/05/2026 19:52

Was going to suggest Coulsdon as other PP has!

Rasell · 08/05/2026 20:03

Woodford and around Epping forest is gorgeous and good schools - easy to central London on the central line. Rickmansworth and Amersham are stunning, great schools (including sen schools although not enough places) and easy on the Met or Chiltern. Lots of Kent is lovely and easy on the Elizabeth line. Loads of gorgeous areas Berkshire & Hertfordshire. These areas are realistically easy to commute, pretty and still quite lively. We left London ages ago and I'm totally settled and wouldn't go back.