Moving down south but where??

[stroppytrout]

Hi

We're looking to move down south with work but neither me or the other half have a clue about anywhere south of Manchester!

Can anyone recommend some nice places to live in the M40 / M25 / M1 area?

I've heard Aylesbury's not that good..... but Beaconsfields too expensive?

Thanks

Yep - Beaconsfield is V £££$$! We're in High Wycombe - which, I wouldn't recommend! However the surrounding villages/towns are lovely.

Do you want to be near transport to get you into London? You could try the end of the metropolitan line - places like Amersham and Chesham. Buckinghamshire isn't cheap but there are pockets of affordable places. Some people are put off by the grammar school system and the house prices really rocket to get near a decent school - primary is the main problem. The CHalfonts and Gerrards Cross are very near M25 but not cheap - but depends what you've got to spend.

You could try skipping across border to Berkshire - parts of Maidenhead - especially near the Thames are lovely. No grammar there either.

If you want to be close to the M1 then you might want to look around parts near Aylesbury - such as Stone. Or maybe Tring / berkhamstead.
HTH

jeanjeannie - thank you i can start looking now to see if financially we can afford the move
:)

Oooo can I retract the 'I wouldn't recommend High WYcombe' comment - just that there really are some lovely places very, very close by - just not in the town centre itself! I'm thinking of Hazlemere / Tylers Green / Holmer Green or lacey green and surrounds. Good luck with the finances - don't forget to check the back of the sofa for cash!

i'm in aylesbury and like it here - definately more affordable than those areas on the met line. It depends if you're after a smaller, more country area or town really. There are lots of lovely villages around aylesbury and around tring and berkhamsted

Lots of events on in the town for families, and the new theatre is opening this month and more development work planned over the next couple of years.

If you're looking to buy, it's definately a buyer's market round here. we tried selling earlier this year but have decided to stay as prices were falling too fast and nothing was moving.

my husband commutes into london on the train everyday - a very reliable service. Very handy for the motorways - we have family in worcestershire, lincs and preston so spend a lot of time up and down the m40, m6 and m1.

We looked at High Wycombe as well but at the time it felt very commutery, with everyone driving out to work in london or oxford.

If you live north of the A4 in Maidenhead you are in catchment (albeit out of county) for grammars in Bucks. Lots of Maidenhead children go.

If you're going to be commuting into town, you might consider Hertfordshire - close to M1, and fast trains into London (St Albans to St Pancras is about 20 mins). Schools are excellent too. Harpenden is nice but £££, St Albans probably more affordable, depending on your budget.

leighton buzzard

35 mins into london. execellent comps- 4 bed detached for £275k bog standard £325 something nice