Where can I buy a nice 3 bed house in the south for 160k...

[thinkingaloud]

Or am I just kidding myself?

depends what you mean by nice?

and where in the south?

how far south do you have to go? some of the villages in the fens have houses for that price.

actually any of the non tourist towns in norfolk of suffolk would do.

norfolk isnt south!

Norfolk isn't south (unless you are from Scotland ). It is at the very top of the East Anglia blob, sort of east midlands way

Although Norfolk is still good value. The road links are poo though, that's why.

Kent is supposed to be the best value southern county.

In my area (east bristol) you could probably get one. It depends really. Are you happy to live in an 'ok' area? I mean not an absolutely fan dabby dosy area but one with reasonable schools, low crime and a pleasant community (on the whole). Or do you want to be in the 'in' place. In which case I think the answer to your question, wherever in the south, would be no!

lol @ fan dabby dosy

Swindon.

Milton Keynes

Sorry, didn't mean to be away for so long. Thanks for all the repsonses.

Agree, Floss, if it has to be an 'in' place, the answer is no! I am happy with an 'ok, not absolutely fan dabby dosy area' but one with good schools, low crime and a pleasant community. That would be perfect.

Norfolk is lovely but too far north & east. Kent is also too far east. Milton Keynes, no.

So, to be more specific, I suppose I'm thinking Hertfordhsire, maybe Beds & Cambs, west of London, home counties, M4 corridor, Oxfordshire, Southcoast as far as (&including) Dorset.

Bristol & Swindon could be good. But is there a reason people take the piss out of Swindon? Never been so don't know!

in my road

we are a 10 minute drive from the sea.

On a map pretty m,uch where the bottom of the A3M meats the A27

ie near portsmouth!

U could get 3beds for £150k in Portsmouth as well

Check rightmove.com, put in a few counties, and a price limit and the bedrooms and see what you come up with.

I think parts of Newbury and beyond to Lambourne (sp?) are cheaper, and very nice.

lots of facilities in Swindon..leisure centres, shopping centres, huge outlet village and the regional Asda, lots of families with young children, the GW hospital, Direct line into paddington

The priory Vale development is huuuge though and has merged lots of what were once small villages into one huge development

We've just moved though to Somerset !!!!!!!!!!!

Does it have to be a semi?
These are a couple of the lower priced 3beds in my area, very nice riverside villagey feel 3miles from city centre and 3 good schools (for Southampton.) Good for M3 and M27, about 1hr15m to Waterloo by train.
Knock down wall for Parking
Midterrace townhouse Not as attractive but still a nice cul-de-sac in good catchment.

Doesn't have to be a semi, no. Terrace, townhouse etc all fine.

Like the sound of a nice riverside villagey place and good schools. Southampton & Portsmouth sound promising - easy access to London/ airports. I love the New Forest & being near the sea would be wonderful. Will keep looking around & will check out rightmove later.

Thanks so much for the links & all the info.

for oxfordshire it would have to be north oxon (bicester onward to banbury) also brackley in northants is close to m40 j10

Eastleigh Borough just North of Southampton has better schools but is more expensive, Chandlers Ford being the des res for secondary. Southampton schools are generally average to rubbish but that's why it's more affordable. Bitterne Park is a hidden gem because it has good primary and secondary all close together but warning: everyone reads The Guardian here .

Am having great fun 'house hunting', thanks to you all your help.

Any other suggestions welcome!

I live on the outskirts of Hemel Hempstead. It's not an attractive town but meets your requirements re: low crime and there are some good schools.
It's got easy access to the motorway & rail network and the surrounding countryside is surprisingly attractive (eg the 5000 acre Ashridge Estate)- it's right on the edge of the Chilterns area of outstanding natural beauty.
Oh - and the people are used to lots of incomers so they're very friendly and accepting of everyone, generally.
You could buy a terraced ex council property for your budget.

you will be lucky to get a 3 bed in hertfordshire for £160. Most of them are £180-200k

Hemel Hempstead is in Herts