Where are the nice places to live within 30 mins train from london?

[QPootle]

Okay, so we're part of the can't afford a house in London for the family brigade. Went to see St Albans at the weekend, which seemed very nice. Woulnd't know which are the nice/nasty bits etc... also any other suggestions would be gratefully recieved.

Where is Clitheroe? Is it nasty?

Oh it's very nice, scummy but it's

a) small
b) near Blackburn
c) not Guildford

I see. Thanks, Janh. I always feel rather slow on the uptake with geography.

We're in StAlbans. Its lovely.

Chiswell green , Fleetville , Park street, Bricket wood are all areas on the edge of town not in city centre.

What about £320K in Accrington then, harpsi?

Any of the aforementioned places around North Herts!

Whereabouts in London do you need to commute to - makes a big diff to where would be best for you?

Do you want another biggish city if you're used to living in London, or would you prefer somewhere quieter, and more villagey?

What size house do you need/want, and what sort of budget do you have to spend?

Actually bricket Wood is not in St Albans but near it.

There are books on this you can get on Amazon. Something lke "Escape London" I think.

Accrington

Clitheroe is a Long Long Way North.
Turn Left at the Arse of Nowhere
kidding, kidding I'm from nearish there myself, though nowhere near as naice as Clitheroe

Oxted is great and surrounding areas, Limpsfield etc.
Is a bit Surrey though

Croydon and surrounding areas ( wallington, carshalton, etc) are nice and rental prices reasonable. Lots of good transport links.

What about Woldingham, Davina lives there I believe

QP - which London station would you prefer to commute into? What is your budget? What do you like in a town?

Thames Ditton - though it is very expensive c£450k for not so large 3 bed semi (much classier than neighbouring Esher).

Chiswell Green Christie

East/West Molesey near Thames Ditton or Esher and can be slightly cheaper. Great village atmosphere, good schools and 25mins into Waterloo (from Esher station)

I live Greenithe, Kent and think its great. Its right on the M25 and A2/M2. I have a two minute car/bus journey to Bluewater and a 5 minute car journey to Lakeside, Essex. You can drive to the coast in 30/40 minutes for days out. Gatwick/Stansted/Heathrow airports are 30/40 miles away. I work in Canary Wharf so take approx 40 mins by train but thats with a change to pick up the DLR. A two/three bed house will cost £200-£240,000, or a four bed decent place would cost £300,000 upwards.

hi there st albans people! im new to st albans (fleetville) am 34 weeks pregnant but still working in london full time. as a consequence not had much time to meet people yet but only got 3 more weeks work til mat leave! anyone got any suggestions on places to meet mum's/mum's to be!? bumps and babies things or whatever!?

Don't write off SE london - some parts are great and prices lower than other parts of London.

I live near Bexleyheath, Bexley, Sidcup - all 30 mins from London. 15 mins from the "country" for walks, nice pubs etc, 30 mins from London by train (£5.30 peak per day), and hour to hour and half from coast, ie Hastings.

Not to mention Dover for a quick getaway KBear
SE London has a lot going for it and choose an outer borough (Bexley/Bromley) and you have access to better than average state secondary provision for Greater London too (selective AND non-selective before anyone asks)

we're in west london and it takes longer than 30 min to get to center

Elstree is nice just a couple of stops from st Albans and prices are a bit lower Shenley is just down the road and is a lovley village not to sure on house prices though