Can you come and giveme your opinions on these places , alternatively just tell me where to live.

[shinybaubles]

We are currently living overseas and I have decided we will be moving back to the UK this summer, but the problem is where to live. My sister lives in Perivale so we want somewhere that is a maximum of an hours drive from her - at least that is the plan at the moment. I have been looking at maps and found these places as a starting point, am really willing to consider anywhere - just need somewhere to start. Any advice would be welcome. I did post this in chat as well but then thought maybe this thread would be more appropriate.

Chesham
Amsersham
Hemel Hempstead
Watford outside
Gerrards Cross
Pinner
High Wycombe
Henley
Slough
Reading
Ascot

Do you need to be within the underground zones or not because obv some of these places are and others aren't. Are you looking for schools for children of particular ages?

No we don't need the tube, we will be needing a school ds1 is 5 in March although we are having a heated debate about state or private. These are good points you have made, thanks.

I don't know all these places but:

Gerards Cross - lovely but ££££££
Pinner - suburbia
Henley - lovely and big enough to provide entertainment as children grow up - but £££££ and transport links not great
Slough - new town, a bit depressing
Reading - new town, lots to do there, but traffic is awful and it is depressing. Villages near are lovely and not depressing - eg Sonning, Pangbourne
Ascot - lovely, small, £££££

I see I have chosen a load of expensive places unintentionally - - as I have not been to them. Does anyone know if these places have villages etc in between or is the whole area expensive.
We will have to rent to begin with anyway.

Unfortunately the whole of this area is pricey.

Do you need to have a trainline into London?
Have a look at www.chilternrailways.co.uk.

The line goes from Marylebone to Aylesbury via Gerrards Cross, Beaconsfield, High Wycombe, Princes Risborough. The travel time is being reduced so prices may rise to reflect this.

The London underground serves the Chalfonts & Amersham so house prices are higher.
www.tfl.co. uk (I think)

Marlow doesn't have a train service AT ALL so bear in mind people will always look elsewhere if they need one.

Avoid Slough & Reading on the basis that there are "classier" places to live if you are worried about what people think. I like them for shopping, but I like living in the countryside.

If grammar schools may be important long-term, you need to think about these location-wise.

Shiny - this website is great - www.commuterguide.co.uk

Chesham --- no idea
Amsersham --- Ok, now't special.
Hemel Hempstead --- same as above
Watford outside --- I'd rather not
Gerrards Cross --- nice but not so nice as to warrant the prices
Pinner --- no idea
High Wycombe --- no thanks
Henley --- love it
Slough --- run away and fast
Reading --- some lovely villages nearby but Reading itself is horrid
Ascot --- nice

What on earth happened there? Where did all these cross-outs come from??? Help!

Pinner - epitome of suburbia but actually ok, independents are good, some good state schools as well but not all
Amersham - pockets of it are nice, house prices reflect the school catchment
Chesham - like it a lot, some lovely traditional houses on the hill, my grandfather used to live at the top - schools generally v good, v gd private
Hemel - town centre grim, wouldn't choose to live there myself
High Wycombe - quite congested now imo, good schools, I was born there!
Watford - has a couple of v good grammar schools, pockets of it nice but others rough, choose area carefully

Gerrards Cross, Ascot, Henley lovely but £££

I live in High Wycombe...odd place!So long as you don't live in the middle (like me!) then there are gorgeous villages. Some seriously good schools but the house prices reflect this as soon as you get near the catchements! Need to consider if Grammar schools are an issue for you if you think about moving to Bucks.

Gerrards Cross (and the Chalfonts) £$£$£ but not worth it in my opinion.

Henley....yes please!

Love Amersham and Chesham too.

Reading and Slough I personally wouldn't do it. But places near Reading such as Twyford are lovely...worth looking at a few of the places around it. Also Maidenhead isn't pretty - but can be a bit cheaper than the more uber posh places.

Yep - it is quite expensive this way - it shocked me and I was in London for 20 years!