Moving out of London or not? And which county to go to?

[katerinaemalina]

Going round and round in circles trying to figure out where would be best to move to to buy a home (currently rent in N London).
Need to be able to get to the city with max door to door commute of an hour (so 30-40 min travel)
Want somewhere that:-
Is near outside space, preferably attractive countryside (we love being outside and want a dog)
Good schools
Community feel
Cinema and shops nearby
Pleasant town/village with character

We have £450k and would like something 2/3 bed with garden and preferably period property and fairly spacious.

Part of the problem is parents lives in Suffolk, friends are all over, but mainly Kent and DH's parents is SW so no real draw anywhere. I would love to move back South but not sure if I should try moving closer to my parents (though realistically won't be nearer than 11/2 hours to them).

Any ideas? Currently thinking
Berkhamsted
Oxted
Epping
Harpenden
Enfield Chase

Saffron Waldons lovely, i can second that. Hertford is worth a look, St. Albans is very busy. Trying to get through there on a Saturday is horrendous.

You've all the midsomer murder villages round amersham which are beautiful and then bring you down towards Gerrards cross which is real commuter village territory. Actual Rickmansworth is lovely and croxley green, sarratt. But I don't know on the schools

Sevenoaks is lovely, I grew up there, quite expensive but I guess the closeness to London is a plus. Good primary schools and secondary's in surrounding towns. I second Essex too anywhere south of Cambridge. Lots of picturesque villages, Clavering, Manuden & Arkesden are all good bets. Good schools and the option of private ones in Cambridge itself. I'd steer clear of villages to the east of the M11 near stansted as you'll have aircraft noise. If i remember correctly Elsenham is also slightly blighted with aircraft noise. I'm about to move to little chesterford so I've thoroughly researched the area.

Second Essex. Upminster, Hornchurch and Gidea park in Havering . Close enough to London but still have a community feel. Very friendly and caring.

35-40 min commute you're talking zone 2-3 max if you want door to door. That's a 20 min train journey & 2x 10 minute walks max. If you want capital appreciation buy as centrally as possible for a few years. Don't forget to factor in the commuting costs as mortgages are cheap at the moment but rail transport is shockingly expensive