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Original poster

Where can you buy a house for less than £200,000 in South East?

82 replies

lovethebeach · 05/08/2017 13:21

Just that really...
Looking for nice safe areas in the South East preferably commutable to London and easy access to M25.
I'd be really grateful for any opinions.
TIA?

OP posts:
Saucysausages · 05/08/2017 17:54

Oh what's wrong with Dagenham?

Prices are really rising ideal first time buy

2 bed small terrace last year was £285k, now most are £310k one year later

It's hugely under prices compared with the rest of east and south east london

Really the 2 bed houses should be about £375k I reckon

mooneypie · 05/08/2017 18:20

The villages around Kettering are lovely but a world away from London. I would be advising him to get a flat as close as possible to his friends and social life.

SeamusMacDubh · 05/08/2017 18:25

Lovethebeach, I grew up a few miles from Dagenham, it is not a desirable place to live. I looked to move back near home a few years ago but I couldn't afford it.

With easy access to London and not too far from several cities, Peterborough isn't a bad choice and housing is cheap. You can get 3 bed houses for under £200k.

SeamusMacDubh · 05/08/2017 18:26

Some areas of Chatham aren't too bad, St Mary's Island is alright, has a nice coastal feel too IMO.

Saucysausages · 05/08/2017 18:50

Don't buy in Peterborough the season ticket is £8000 something

My best friend bought a house there for £180k recently (70s) and mortgage is cheap £400 or so.

The commute is £750 per month

She's struggling to break even on £38k salary.

If you can afford to pay £200k with a cost of £1,100 mortgage & commute you could afford Dagenham. See if he can get help
To buy.

It's quick to city my neighbours work at PWC & banks some parts are rough but not majority

VelvetSpoon · 05/08/2017 18:56

Without wanting to be horrible, Dagenham is a shithole. It was 20 years ago when I lived near it, and it's much worse now. A lot of properties have been bought by investors, so there's a lot of letting and subletting going on. Moped crime there is a huge issue. I wouldn't want my kids living there.

Ditto Medway. It's all cheap because it's pretty bloody grim.

Either go as far out as say Colchester, or just buy a flat in a better area.

VelvetSpoon · 05/08/2017 19:00

this isn't bad in location terms but needs work obva, and is going to auction so could go for a lot over £200k.

LaurieFairyCake · 05/08/2017 19:10

He wants a flat without service charges. There's loads of them if you steer away from new blocks.

NeverTwerkNaked · 05/08/2017 19:16

I'd recommend a freehold house rather than a flat if possible. Services charges etc can be a nightmare.

nonwonderwoman · 05/08/2017 20:41

Croydon or Crawley? It won't be a big house for that though - 1 bed or 2 bed if stretch the budget. Maybe Horsham or Dorking way?

Loopytiles · 05/08/2017 20:44

What do you mean "easily" commutable? Time and/or money?

EssentialHummus · 05/08/2017 20:49

I actually came on to suggest Chatham or Gillingham. I don't think it's all grim, worth at least going to look at before dismissing. And a great commute into London.

bbcessex · 05/08/2017 21:03

I was driving through Chatham yesterday.. that and Rochester seemed quite reasonable I thought ..

JigglyTuff · 05/08/2017 21:41

Well yes, a freehold would be better. But it's about ticking all the OP's DS's boxes for £200k.

Chatham is pretty horrid. Rochester is a bit better but again, with £200k, you can get a flat in a nice bit or a house in a shit bit

Note3 · 05/08/2017 21:43

Lovethebeach I've sent you a PM

stillnotjustamummy · 05/08/2017 21:45

Medway. You'd need more than 200k for Rochester, but Strood or Chatham would be under.

MarciaBlaine · 05/08/2017 21:49

Dover. High speed link to London now.

Daffydil · 05/08/2017 21:53

Stevenage. 2 beds are around £200,000

Original poster
lovethebeach · 06/08/2017 08:23

Hi thanks for all your replies The thing is there isn't a huge amount of difference in price between small houses and small flats around this area. It's just the freehold and service charges although I know they are not always high. There was quite a nice flat in Horley recently but when he rang about it they wanted a 40 percent deposit @JigglyTuff that flat looks lovely but he's 6'3" so would struggle with the sloping ceilings.
He often drives to work as He usually needs his van but sometimes when working in London gets a train if everything he needs is onsite.

OP posts:
HoneyWheeler · 06/08/2017 08:25

Medway - Rochester, Strood, Chatham, Gillingham. All have dodge bits but all have lovely historic parts too. Great links to London!

IrritatedUser1960 · 06/08/2017 08:29

Bexhill and Hastings no problem also Ashford which has direct train connections to London. The small and attractive town of Lydd is incredibly cheap yet very pretty and is only a short drive or bus ride to Ashford train station. Good luck.

Crumbs1 · 06/08/2017 08:33

Medway towns are generally grim but like everywhere there are nicer patches.
Maidstone is a bit nicer.
Further out Thanet is cheap with some nice spots in Broadstairs.
Ashford?
Forget most of Surrey and West Sussex.
You might pick up somewhere close to Brighton - Portslade end maybe.
Havant? Lots commute from there and it's got some cheap housing stock.
Andover?

rizlett · 06/08/2017 08:44

I remember your posts from before op and assume your son is now closer to buying. Maidstone is difficult for £200,000 unless you want an apartment. I was bought up in Maidstone and have followed house prices for many years.

All areas in your search have good and bad places but all will be increasing in value. My son bought a house in Rainham 18 months ago - he didn't really want to buy in Rainham but had limited choice due to his job - its gone up 30k in that time.

My other son is a builder and renovates older properties - I send him things that are relevant in the lowest price range - so I've picked a few out from our search area. See below.

Walderslade is near the motorway - between Maidstone & Rochester close to supermarkets. Most houses have parking which you won't get in the town centres. [unless it's an apartment] There are good parts of Rochester & Chatham too.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-60405562.html
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-66691409.html
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-68063702.html
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-58990630.html

exWifebeginsat40 · 06/08/2017 08:51

ipswich. an hour to liverpool street and it's actually ok here! i moved here from Chelmo 20-odd years ago and never left..

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