Where do you love living in South East England?

[MouseThatRoars]

Hi there. We are thinking of moving out of London before secondary school looms for our son. My husband needs to be able to commute to North Greenwich so we need somewhere with an easy commute and within a good catchment area. A friend has suggested Colchester. Any other ideas? Tips on good areas with great schools would be wonderful. Thanks

Colchester would not be my first choice - although some of the surrounding villages are nice enough. The town is a very "forces based" environ IMO. It's also a long way out, if you are new to moving out of the city, it may feel very remote!!

Village or large town?
The triangle Westerham/Edenbridge/Sevenoaks is lovely, with easy access to M25, .... and if you are happy to go as far down as Tunbridge Wells, then I would recommend it. Again, swift access to M25 via Pembury (under 1 hr commute to Cannon Street/Charing Cross)

Only real way to decide is to get in the car and start getting a feel for the areas ....but not easy with DC's.

Come to Chelmsford it's great. We moved from West London in November of last year and haven't looked back. Good luck with your search.

Anywhere in Surrey with fast train to Waterloo would suit- it's a fast jaunt on the jubilee line to North Greenwich from there- so Guildfird, Woking, Cobham, Epsom etc. depends on your budget though

We lived in Chelmsford and it was lovely. Great park and town centre and really good schools, plus the trains run to Liverpool street so changing was easy.

We've now moved to Rayleigh in Essex, it is a great area and also very good schools, and the same train line. Very close to Southend for a day out, but also easy driving distance to the main towns like Chelmsford, Basildon, and Lakeside.

I do agree with homebythesea ... many many beautiful spots in that neck of the woods, but very expensive areas to buy into.
If you are looking in those price ranges, Runnymede up to Windsor is also lovely.
Top pick for me would be Maidenhead though..... but possibly because I was happier there, than anywhere. Age and stage thing!!

Billericay is also good. Half an hour train into Liverpool street and 2 very good secondary schools (one ofsted outstanding, one ofsted good). Very friendly with a lovely little high street.

Thanks everyone. Lots to think about. MumnGran, we LOVE that part of Kent and often escape there at weekends. But, I don't drive and would feel isolated in too rural an area. We will have to spend summer exploring some of these places. Thanks!

Mouse ... given what you say, I would go with your gut and move somewhere you already know you love!!

While that 'triangle' has rural aspects, the edges are thriving busy spots with great rail links to London, and very easy access to shopping etc.....it is not as 'quiet' as it looks to visitors
Also some really good schools!

Just my spin. Do pop back though, and let us know where you end up

Definitely consider Chelmsford and the villages out towards Colchester. My DH commutes to Canary Wharf on the train and its really easy. The villages around Chelmsford and Witham have good bus services.