Want to move out of London with good schools - please recommend

[CleverBaby]

Sadly, we have to move out of our flat.

With a growing family (we have 2 kids now) we want to buy a house but can't afford to buy a 3 bed house in London, our budget is 230K. Train tickets are also so expensive these days so I guess moving too far out isn't a good idea either.

We really like to find somewhere

1. With good primary and secondary schools.
2. That's commuting distance to London. (My husband works in London near Oxford Circus.)
3. Has a nice neighbourhood.

On top of all this we've found out that the deadlines for school admission applications are around January, what a nightmare!

I really don't know what to do. Please help!

Toot I believe you are confusing irony with ignorance.

Hello,

Have a look at commutefrom.com it'll show you everywhere within an hr half commute distance.

we live in Leighton Buzzard, on the Linslade side. 2 out of 3 lower schools are outstanding, the other would still be happy to send DC to.

hubby works in central london- train ticket is £88 per week, he walks to oxford street from euston/has an oyster card for emergencies.

You could get a very nice 3 bed house here with no problem, 4 bed pushing it but not unheard of. very safe, plenty to do, Milton Keynes less than 20 mins with good job prospects.

oh, and it is genuinely 35 mins into Euston, when i worked in london, people who lived there genuinely did not believe that my commute was quicker than theres, despite evidence.and local upper school gets something like 80% a-c in gcse. schools websites to check out are Southcott Lower, Greenleas Lower, Linslade Lower, Linslade Academy/Leighton Middle and Cedars Upper.

Fright, maybe.
I just took her comment to be in the context of the many posts which appear on MN where areas which are multicultural are avoided in preference to a long expensive commute. I would add 'or working class people or people who live in council houses' to the comment.

I am not making any observation on the views of the OP, of course, just numerous threads on property and schools.

If I am wrong, yes, the comment is worse than ignorant.

Anyway, I hope you find something that suits you, OP. The January deadline is worrying, especially as you have to sell as well as buy. In your situation I would consider renting in your chosen area, renting out your flat, and then buying in the area once the school issue is settled.

Aw - c'mon - deleting me?

I lived around there for years - which is why I was in a position to recommend it as a lovely family friendly area with a strong community. I had an offer in on a house in that estate when I fell pregnant with Dd1, before my circumstances changed and I had to leave London.

I never find it recommended in 'mainstream' press - which will instead direct people to godforsaken over priced dormitory suburbs. Judging by the side comments that I've had from people visiting us and discussing the area with me, my only explanation is casual racism. That is, that people equate a 'nice' area to raise a family with a White area - and hence become blind to this particular areas advantages.

Since my neighbours were respectively a piano teacher, an engineer and a retired lawyer - I wouldn't describe it as working class per se. Specifically, many people were of foreign descent. As am I.

Sheesh.

Thank you for that clarification, FootPrints - we are of a mind on this!

We live in Eastbourne - DH commutes an hour and a half to Victoria/London Bridge, kids go to Outstanding/Good schools, property easily had for 230 - seaside resort, so lovely place to have kids. Cheaper than Brighton, low crime rate, better schools than Hastings, it's a good choice! (And no, that's not just because I've got my place on the market at the moment - I will be genuinely quite sad to leave!)

West Berkshire is good you would easily get 3 beds for £230,000 and paddington is 52 mins on the fast train from Newbury, Thatcham a bit less. Both nice market towns, good schools.

Please what area were u recommendin that got deleted as I am considering the same move?

Regards,

Eve

Hi,

Out of curiousity where did you settle?

I am looking to move from Scotland, need to be near London, 3-4 bedroom house good primary and secondary schools. I was thinking of milton keynes? That a good option? Budget of house is 250k. Can anyone suggest a good area for schools, and near London.

Thank you.

This thread is from 2011 so house prices in the South East have almost doubled between now and then! Sadly, 250K won't get you too far but then again, I'm not familiar with Milton Keynes.