Location, location, location - moving back to UK and don't know where to live

[tellmetellmepleasetellme]

Hi all. I am hoping you can help me with a situation that is hypothetical at the moment but I would really like to know if such an area exists within this budget.

Background: family of 4 - DH, me and 2 kids: ages 3 and 1. Currently living abroad and may return to the UK in the next year or 2. Looking for ideally a 4 bedroom home to rent (budget of 1,500 a month). Dh and I work from home and will look to buy 2 cars.

The long term plan is if after a year we like the area we will look to buy a house which needs modernisation. We will have a total budget of about 270,000.

What we are looking for: Village feel, ability to get to Central London on train/coach within 1.5 hours, close to good schools, family friendly, not too far from an international airport, a major hospital, a city.

I have looked on Rightmove but it feels like too much of a stab in the dark when we don't have specific locations on which the search should be focused and was hoping the collective wisdom of Mumsnet can shine a light on this matter. Thanks!

How about Suffolk? Lots of lovely villages. Trains to Liverpool Street from Ipswich take just over an hour (although lots of engineering works at weekends). Good schools, villagey and family friendly, beautiful countryside, Stanstead airport the closest, major hospital more problematic but again you are close to London (and that takes care of big city too!)

You won't get a 4 bed in a good area with good schools for £270k / £1500pcm in Bristol or Bath.

@SleepFreeZone believe me I know the fenny bits! (Wonders if I should be waving across Grunty Fen), but since moving here I'm a big fan of Ely, places like March etc don't have the transport into London, but particularly if you can be in central Ely or the Cambridge side of Ely I think there's a lot going for it (so long as you don't want to drive down the a10 in rush hour)

Around Cardiff. Bit longer into London but some nice areas at reasonable prices

Someone below raises a VERY VERY VERY important point re internet speeds. They are SHOCKING in some areas. Loads of places no broadband at all. There are even bad places within M25! Friend just moved here from
Senegal and I can't believe it!!! Do lots of research re that if need internet at home.

Coshamnear Portsmouth.

Not very villagey but in budget & schools come up as good.*

I'm from near there....moved away as soon as I could. don't think anyone would choose to move to Cosham personally.

I think you'll really struggle around Warwick/ Leamington in that budget.

The only place I can think of is around Daventry/ Northampton.

We bought in a village near Huntingdon 4 years ago for within your budget but our house is now worth £100,000 more which is great for us but not good for people trying to get in the ladder.

Bramhall.

I suggest Reading!
Train Reading to London Paddington is 30mins, so another 30mins on tube in london means you can go to the villages outside Reading to live. Burghfield you will get a good 3 bed to rent for that, possibly 4 bed. Good primaries and secondary, 20mins drive to Reading. Similar for Spencer's Wood, Grazely, Calcot.
I agree budget is tight to purchase, but depends how much work you are willing to do to a place!

Chippenham is less than 1.5 hours in the train to London, has good schools, 3 bed houses for 270000.

Thank you so much everyone. I've looked at all your suggestions and I think I will focus my search around Leamington Spa/Warwick area.

I don't need to commute to London per se so it is a want not a need to be able to get there in reasonable time. The village feel and spare bedroom were also 'wants' so I'm prepared to let them go.

Thank you for pointing me to the Zoopla property price map too. That is an awesome tool. Good internet speed is crucial so I will look into it. I must say I didn't think that would be an issue in the UK in2017 so thank you for bringing it to my attention.

Really good point about renting a place that is likely to be nicer than what we can afford to buy. Wouldn't want to do that to the kids. I guess another way to go is to take the plunge and start the buying process before we make the move which will increase our budget by at least 20,000. A bit risky but if all works out it could mean less disruption to our lives and a nicer house.

I need to really research the area in greater details. I've seen a few houses that are lovely for about 325,000-350,000. The potential move will not be for at least another year so a lot can still happen with the housing market, exchange rates, etc. I will also look for ways to raise more funds in the meantime.

I really appreciate everyone's input. It's given me a really good starting point. Life was so much simpler pre-kids!

Excellent choice, it is beautiful countryside round there but all mod cons are available in Cov and Birmingham.
Can I re-iterate though, please check on HS2 because you are potentially on the route (well, what will eventually be the route - after loads of construction disruption). Watch out for houses that are too cheap to be true, they might be ex compulsory purchase.
Map here

Leicester or Market Harborough would suit your requirements.

Warwickshire/Worcestershire - getting London is doable from Birmingham and it's full of lovely villages.

chichester or warwick.

Sorry! Hadnt rtft... Although warwick was an excellent shout :)

Hell's bells, if you don't need to be in the London area then don't be. Hang on -

Beverley or Hexham would be the sorts of places I would look. Admittedly a 4 bed is still going to be a bit of a stretch.

If you are looking for further away, Shropshire is very nice for families. I know people who live in Shrewsbury, loads of activities for children , music, sport, fabulous state schools and a brilliant grammar school (Adams grammar) nearby that isn't as competitive to get in as Kent ones. There are also nice countryside areas to explore. Or villages to live in. And mostly within budget.
Also 50mins from Birmingham and just over 2 hours from London by train. Close to Manchester too.

Thank you everyone for taking the time to answer my question. I'm very grateful for all the information. Will need to look up the HS2 route now!