Help! Does a nice affordable London suburb exist??

[extracrunchy]

We (DH, DS, possible DC2 and I) are looking to buy a 3 bed property in London or a suburb and we need some advice about areas. We'd also consider renting while we wait to find the right property.

Most important to us are good schools/kids activities, safety, and green spaces, and DH needs to be able to commute to Notting Hill in preferably no more than an hour.

Our budget to rent is max £1300/month or to buy max £350k.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks so much!

I'm in south Bexley,Bromley borders. It's lovely round here! Not the best commute though...

Have you tried that commuter website? Not sure what its called. Hopefully someone will link it

Was going to suggest Shooters Hill- which is Greenwich/Bexley borders some info here you'll get a lot for your money.

No idea about the commute though!

Thank you! I'll have a look. Interested to hear where else people suggest. We've been living in Richmond in a tiny very expensive flat till now, so we're a bit spoilt! Not sure anywhere will be as lovely but there's no way we'll ever be able to buy here

Would you consider moving a little further out? Maidenhead in Berkshire is good for commuting (25 mins to paddington) and although is not lovely like Richmond it has fantastic schooling and loads to do for families and might be a bit more within your budget.

I'd be happy a bit further out but DH is determined to be in Greater London (annoyingly...)

Teddington? you should know it already if you are in richmond.
Surbiton is ok too though it's further out. Both are not 'london' on paper, but T. especially is definetely seen as greater london in practice. Wouldn't get a huge house there, but it's nice.

I think moving to certain parts of south east London is the only realistic option, if you do really want to stay within the city. Quite a contrast to where you are now, I know...

Yes, and not too far away from you either.

The Dover House Conservation area in Putney/Roehampton borders is an up and coming ex council neighbourhood with 2 and 3 bed cute cottages. Drive down and have a look up and around Dover House Road and see if you like the area. If you can stretch to £425 you can get a modernized lovely home. Sometimes you find doer uppers in the 300 mark, but you need to keep an eye on the area on Rightmove regularly.

Wanstead? Biased, because I grew up there but it's absolutely
lovely for families & on the Central Line

Quite simply you won't be able to buy a 3 bed property in a 'nice' part of London within your budget.

[http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-39645032.html what about this]

This is 375 but may be open to offers. Its walking distance to Motspur Park and Raynes Park Station. One stop to Wimbledon and then District line to Notting Hill. He would get a seat as well as Wimbledon is the last stop. Let me know if you want to know about the area as I live in SW20.

try link again

Norbury, or Streatham SW16, occasional properties in Streatham SW2.

Wow thanks everyone! megan I'd love more info

Ruislip/Ickenham??

Still in London, should be able to get something in your budget and great for families. Can get to Notting Hill in 40 minutes on the Central Line.

I used to live in motspur park but now live in raynes park. It's small, probably a 3 mile radius at a guess. It's cheaper than nearby raynes park as its a kt3 postcode which is crazy as its right next to SW20. There is a train station on the SW trainline to waterloo which is 2 stops from Wimbledon. There is a lovely park with a playgroup which I can't remember the name as I haven't been for years ad mine are older now. The shops are small and ok for day to day stuff but there is a big Tesco nearby. There is also a library which used to do activities for children plus a bigger library in nearby raynes park. Primary schools are good. Secondary are not so good as with the rest of merton. Overall it was a nice area. I have a few friends there and they are happy. The prices are crazy in SW20 so as the nearest place I think its a bit of a find but admit the shops could be better. It's quiet , safe and convenient .

Hanwell?

Hmm I grew up in SE London - am not sure of everyone's definition of nice but I liked Crystal Palace, Forest Hill, Bromley/Orpington. Ethan has nice bits on border with Bexley, very green.

Not quite Richmond

Ethan - eltham

If you don't mind living in an ex-council flat, you could probably get a 3 bed in Notting Hill, I see things crop up regularly (I live in the area). There's one in Wayneflete Square w10 near Latimer Road tube which is right next to one of the nicest state run nursery schools, and 2 mins walk from a wonderful catholic primary called St Francis of Assisi. For secondary, there is the new Kensington Academy which will be built by 2014. Oh and 5 mins walk from Westfield.

It's a nice estate but not gentrified. I.e. not scary, but not pretty.

Depends what you want really!

- Nancy.

My zone 2 3 bed was bought 2 years ago for £300k - and. Think where I live is lovely. Urban, but lovely.

Chiswick is a lovely place to live - full of families with a lovely high street and an easy commute to Notting Hill. From a quick look on Rightmove it looks as though you could buy a 3 bed flat for your budget and there are a few rentals in that sort of price bracket too.

I second Ruislip. Central line to Notting Hill, good schools and lots of green space. You would easily get something in budget. Schools are also good in Harrow. I live there and our 3 bed bought six years ago was comfortably under £300k.

I love Teddington, but it's much more expensive.

Some good suggestions here. Just be very very sure about school catchments. For instance, we looked at Motspur Park area too, but although Rightmove shows three primaries close-ish to that house, they either have religious criteria, are very oversubscribed, and in most cases, you'd have to live closer and pay much more. It's not impossible to get a house in a good catchment for what you can afford, but the whole vision of the property/area you want may require compromises. We managed to get most of what you're looking for in SE19, except the commute to NH isn't very straightforward.

Just thinking - Teddington etc will be way too pricey, but I have heard okay things about Isleworth. Might be worth looking into...
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-34414426.html