£250k commutable to London

[GothicRainbow]

We're looking to buy a 3 bed house within commutable distance to London - ideally no more than an hour and a half each way on the train.

Our budget is £250k so we are struggling to find anything suitable in the current area we live in (Hampshire/Surrey border) and we are starting to consider looking further afield.

We have one DS (2.5) and one more on the way so schools, community etc is important.

Can anyone recommend good areas for us to begin searching??

Buckinghamshire/Hertfordshire.

You will just get a 3 bed 28 minutes from Euston in Hemel Hempstead. If you want further away/cheaper try hitchin/Stevenage

You won't get anything in Hitchin for that price but there are plenty of places nearby that are cheaper. Try Arlesey or Biggleswade.

Can you really get a 3 bed on Hemel for £250k??

What about Milton Keynes? There are some really fast non-stop trains from there.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-57684080.html

Yes, it needs work. But it's an ok size. There's usually a few around at 255/260. But not yet.

That property in Hemel is cash buyers only and given there's no internal photos it's probably horrendous inside.

I think the OP was hoping for a habitable property for her quarter of a million

Not sure what the area is like, but this is 1 mile from mk station

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-52728589.html

There's a (nicely done up) 3 bed house for sale for £250k in our lovely, friendly village. 15 minutes drive from St Neots, 15 minutes drive from cambridge. Trains to London Kings Cross are then 45 minutes from St Neots. I think from Cambridge the train to Liverpool Street is about an hour, but parking at Cambridge station is a nightmare and you pay through the nose.

Worthing! and surrounding area. all the local stations on the line Angmering to Hove get to london in about 1.30 -1.40 . (and you are by the sea..)

I'd try Essex. It's marginally cheaper. Somewhere like Manningtree or the branch line that runs out to Harwich. Only one train an hour but it's only 1h20 from Liverpool St. You easily get something in your range.

What about Kent or Sussex ? Maidstone is reasonable or the medway towns (Gillingham or Chatham). In Sussex look at etchingham or battle.

That's true Bear but they do go for 325 in that street so it's worth a punt.

You could also look around the area I'm looking to move to - plenty of houses in Bromley/ grove park/eltham/mottingham and surrounding areas for around 250k. 21 minutes to Waterloo.

I've a bit more money than that (about 350k) so I'm looking for a 2 bed in Lee/Lewisham/hither green.

That's true Bear but they do go for 325 in that street so it's worth a punt.

Possibly, but not for someone who clearly stated their budget was £250k....

How will your child be able to go to school locally (6 hours) if you are both out of the house for approx 10 hours?

I meant done up Bear - the OP could buy it for 250 and get a good deal, do it up and then be quids in.

Eh, bibbitty? What's that got to do with anything?

Thanks everyone for the suggestions - will be hitting rightmove/prime location tonight and have a look at what's on offer.

Bibbitty - to answer your question I don't work so my DH will be commuting to London and I will be staying at home with the children until they are both in school - I'll then look for a local part time job.

This is part of the reason why our budget is limited to £250k

laurie how many people do you know that have £250k in cash under their bed plus probably another £50 to £100k to do it up?

I appreciate I'm not adding to the conversation as have no suggestions (but am interested in the responses) but I can't see how your suggestions help someone who has a budget of £250k and needs a 3 bed house

OP what side of London do you need to get to for work? That should definitely influence where you look. Is there a particular station you want to commute to?

Kent. Look at gillingham/ rain ham/ Rochester. Rochester is 30-45 mins into London depending on what station

What do you mean "eh Bibbity?" Have I left something out of the question?

Op is saying schools are important in the op - has she/he thought ahead to what its actually like when your children in school?

Sorry just read your most recent post - so I guess that should read is there a particular station your DH wants to commute to?

North Essex towns like Colchester and surrounding area another option.

It doesn't say you have to be a cash buyer, it just says it's suitable for one. So you can buy it for 250 on a mortgage and do it up as you go along or if you're handy.

It is a 3 bed.

If Paddington is doable, you could consider as far as Wiltshire; Journey time currently an hour from Swindon and the line is being electrified so will get quicker.