HELP...where should we move after London? Berkhamsted, Lewes, Tunbridge Wells, other?

[DeeSB]

My dh works in Canary Wharf and I have two children under 5. We're considering moving out of London because of financial constraints (I've given up work) and for better schools (pref state). Can anyone recommend a place to move that would have like-minded people / ex-Londoners, good schools, and enough to keep us occupied so we don't miss London to much?

Berkhamsted. Really lovely and 2 miles from me. Always shop there and eat tea and cake there.

Come to Surrey, it is lovely

yes agree ewe. oxted is brilliant.

Come to Hampshire - we live just under an hour away from London (am ex West London girl) and I can be back there in no time to see friends,M3 or train to Waterloo...
Excellent state schools, nice market town with beautiful countryside a stone's throw away and easy access to Winchester, the coast-under an hour/New Forest/
truly it's fab.

berkhampstead is very posh

I considered Lewes and have friends there but reckon my town/area is tops..another mnetter lives here too

Very good choice of schools (state and private) in Tunbridge Wells/Tonbridge and into the Wealt of Kent. Lovely villages, easy to get to London.

Lewes is lovely. Easy access to Victoria and Clapham Jct; v good state schools; beautiful countryside; extremely charismatic little town; five miles from the sea (and not just Brighton - very nice bits of coast further east of there). Have a look at Alfriston as well if you're looking down that way.

oxted/ hurst green has a line going straight into london brhidge (30 mins) which is only 2?3 stops from canary wharf on jubililee line. v leafy and right in the countryside with farms right here as well as all the shops and stuff you expect !! i love it here- moved from london 4 years ago////3 school we looked at for our 3 year old had outstaning ofsteds in every category. the worst schools are just 'good' on ofsted (which i know isnt everything but it shows all schools have a good standard) amazing place in my view!

Lots and lots of ex-Londoners in the villages around Cranbrook and Tenterden (they want free places at Cranbrook school so house prices are a bit higher in the catchment area).

I live near Canary Wharf and fair few families are moving to Chislehurst, a place I had never even heard of 18 months ago. I think it's a pretty good commute to CW if you drive, and possibly not too bad by train and DLR either.

One of DH's colleagues lives between Tunbridge Wells and Tonbridge and I always thought that his journey to CW must be a nightmare but I think he doesn't find it too bad if he gets a fast train to London Bridge. It's still long though.

Thanks for your fast responses. Will def look at all the places you've suggested - keep them coming. Would also like to hear from anyone who's moved to any of these places and misses London and why?

My sister moved to Harpenden - good schools, social life, intelligent people, near to St Albans for shops etc and you can get into London in 30 minutes by train. She wouldn't come back if you paid her.

Also, does anyone know any good websites that will help us compare places - am currently accessing school results, train timetables, Up My Street, and property sites, but am looking for lifestyle comparisons (other than Mumsnet!).

there used to be a Daily telegraph guide to commuterland - has it been updated? I thought it was v accurate re my area. But any paper-based guide I guess will be a bit wildly wrong about hice prices.

Harpenden is really gorgeous. The commuting is brilliant. The schools are excellent.

Loads of ex-londoners around my way.

West sussex - Haywards Heath has good railway links to London.

And the people are truly marvellous.

residents would rather die than use the word posh - unlike Berkhamsted residents