House buying advice - commutable to London (ideally north)

[MagicCarpet44]

My husband is in the military and is based all over the country. I work in central London. We are looking to buy our first home. Our budget is £400,000 and we are looking for a three bed house ideally with a garden. I would like to limit my commute to an hour door to door if possible. Both sets of parents are based north of London and so it makes sense for us to live north of London but we are struggling to find somewhere to settle. We are looking for somewhere with a station with trains straight into central london (i do not drive), some life ie nice cafes / pubs / few shops, good nurseries & schools and some open space. Can anyone recommend anywhere that might be suitable? Many thanks

Leighton Buzzard

St Albans' s
I have never been, but it amways seems to come.uo when this question arises.

Enfield

Stevenage

East side of St Albans would fit the bill (just, on that budget)

Hitchin. It has everything you want and about 25 mins to kings x

Also maybe welwyn garden city depending on where in London you work

Hertford will give you a choice between trains to Moorgate/Kingscross or Liverpool Street. 400k should get you a good 4 bed semi or detached and schools are great. Lots of restaurants in the town too.

Great parks around town and near most residential areas.

Hitchin is fab too

We have just moved to Bedford from London. 37 mins to St Pancras. Very reasonable housing. I love it because to me it was all about the schools, the bigger house and garden, the commute, proximity to park and station but some people on mumsnet are quite disparaging. I look past bits that are scruffy and enjoy the river and great shops. Love that I skip to Debenhams in 5 mins no joke. Christmas shopping is going to be a doddle!

One down side is a lot of boy racers. But I think that is just because there are no traffic jams like in Tooting!

Thank you for all of these ideas! Much appreciated!