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Original poster

Another family priced out of London......No idea where to move to next. Help please.

53 replies

Taymount · 16/08/2014 19:32

Hello - I know that this is probably a hot topic at the moment but we are really flummoxed. If anyone could offer advice on places to investigate. I have to children 3 year old and a baby. Would ideally like a 3 bed but could make do with a 2 bed. Budget - a modest 250K, however we need to rent for 1 year before we are able to buy again :( We have looked at Hastings & St Leonards , Long commute but nice property's. Woolwich. Medway - Rochester which was nice. We are considering a trip to Folkstone. Can anyone recommend any other places to visit. We want a place with a bit of community and personality...we don't want something too suburban on the outskirts of London. Would prefer a complete change if we have to move. We have even considered commuting from Yorkshire but at 900 pcm for travel it is a bit much. The commute ideally would be 1h30 or less but for the right place maybe longer. Please could anyone suggest nice affordable towns commuter distance from London which are nice for families. THANK YOU!! I look forward to reading any replies xx

OP posts:
Shosha1 · 16/08/2014 19:33

Salisbury ? Or it's surrounding small towns and villages ?

Shosha1 · 16/08/2014 19:39

This is in a village a couple of miles out.

www.rightmove.co.uk/#/property-for-sale/photos/property-30901326.html?index=0

The next village has a outstanding primary school and preschool

elastamum · 16/08/2014 19:41

Ampthill, just south of Bedford is lovely and has very good schools. You can commute from Flitwick and even get a seat in the mornings.

You can probably get a 3 bed there for 250k

Shosha1 · 16/08/2014 19:43

or this actually in Salisbury

elQuintoConyo · 16/08/2014 19:55

Norwich or surroundings?

FGS stay away from Folkestone, supposedly 'up-and-coming' with 'charming shops' and 'delightful cafes' but it's still a shithole!

Original poster
Taymount · 16/08/2014 19:57

Thank you for your suggestions - will have a little look on Righmove now! Shosha1 thank you for your links but they are just coming up with the RM homepage :)

OP posts:
MrsCakesPrecognition · 16/08/2014 20:02

Billericay in Essex is great for young families with commuting parents.
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-45013345.html

Shosha1 · 16/08/2014 20:06

I'll try again

[[http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-43645984.html Village location]]

Salisbury itself

wirezip · 16/08/2014 20:08

Agree with MrsCakes, check out some of the outer reaches of Essex. I have a friend who lives in Leigh and travels to London every day. Looks like you can get some fairly decent 2-3 beds in the area.

rebeccajohnston1010 · 16/08/2014 20:15

If you could do with a 2 bed, there are some flats in Harrow, is outside space important?

Happydutchmummy · 16/08/2014 20:26

Canterbury is far nicer than folkestone or any of the Medway towns. Brilliant schools, very safe, lots of things to do with kids, near the beaches, lovely shops and cafes. It's my roadblocks town, not too big, not too small, just perfect!

Original poster
Taymount · 16/08/2014 20:28

Thank you for your suggestions. Salisbury is somewhere I never thought of and I have never heard of Billericay. I will look. It is so difficult , I love interesting architecture and loved St Leonards on sea, but it is a 2 hour commute and also could not help noticing the needle deposit in the pubic loos!! Would like a bit of outside space having lived in a 2 room flat for the last 6 years!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Taymount · 16/08/2014 21:13

Wow, Lovely properties in Canterbury!

OP posts:
iamusuallybeingunreasonable · 16/08/2014 21:13

Maidstone

snice · 16/08/2014 21:19

Colchester would fit the bill perhaps?

Happydutchmummy · 16/08/2014 21:19

Oops, bloody auto correct , it's my goldilocks town, not my roadblocks town (although traffic can be a nightmare)

snice · 16/08/2014 21:21

or this one looks ok

rebeccamg · 16/08/2014 23:43

Salisbury is lovely!!! My parents live just outside there.
We are in cambridge and love it! Easy commute in to London but pretty pricey...

OliviaBenson · 17/08/2014 08:24

Grantham or Newark? I think some of Leicestershire would be only 1hr away too?

Happypiglet · 17/08/2014 08:30

Where abouts in London do you need to commute to? That can make a difference to where you want to be. Getting across London can add many minutes to a commute, better to be on the. 'right line' to start with IYSWIM

ItMustBeBedtimeSurely · 17/08/2014 08:34

Bedfordshire is a good bet. Fast commuting times (about 30 -40 mins from Milton Keynes and leighton buzzard) and beautiful countryside.

SignoraStronza · 17/08/2014 08:34

Newark. 1hr 15 away on the East Coast Mainline and you could easily get a 4 bed for that budget.

outtolunchagain · 17/08/2014 08:37

Ipswich

saintlyjimjams · 17/08/2014 08:38

On phone so can't link easily but Hemel Hempsted? I was up that way a few weeks ago & surprised how nice it was. It's £230k plus for 3 beds & quick commute up London.

Maybe try places like Tring as well?

I was also going to suggest Canterbury but that's a longer commute