Relocating for job in London. Help deciding where to look for houses?

[notanotherunicorn]

Renting, not buying unfortunately. We are looking for somewhere up to around 50 minutes on the train into London, and no more than £2000 a month for a 3 bed house (ideally less if we can ever hope to buy a house in the south). We are in York, and it's a beautiful place I'll be sad to leave, but it's much too far to commute.
I have a few 'would be nice to haves' and a few 'must haves'.

It would be nice to find somewhere that either has a village/historic feel with great family facilities (even if it's actually in the middle of sprawling suburbia) i.e beautiful shopping streets(I'm thinking a bit like York) and a gorgeous large park with really good play equipment and space for picnics...not just some scrub land to walk the dog. Either that or we'd like somewhere with lots of countryside i.e woods and great walks on the doorstep.

Previously I've lived in Milton Keynes (not keen on going back. I found lots to love about it, the shops, the restaurants, the lake, but it wasn't really us.)
And Leamington spa. I LOVE Leamington and also Kenilworth, Stratford, Warwick, and would love somewhere closer to london that has a similar charm (the community, play parks, history etc), but DH is the commuter and he isn't willing to commute more than 45 minutes because he finds it stressful and we both want as much family time as possible.

What we must have are: Excellent state schools (great results and a safe environment), or maybe an affordable private secondary school for our eldest (definitely not more than around £6000 a term or we'll be living on baked beans). Our eldest is laid back/possibly not hugely academic so a grammar isn't something I'd want (on the other hand she needs to be somewhere that will get the best out of her and push her a bit). The youngest are too young to worry about yet!

I've had a look online and some places that looked interesting from photos: The chilterns area, Marlow looked lovely. St Albans? Guildford? Some bits of surrey i.e near Virginia Water. Kingston upon Thames?

Where else can you get to in under 50 minutes?

I've not idea where to focus our search, help!

Unfortunately Winchester (York of the south) and Leamington are too far out.

Beaconsfield, Windsor, Marlow

@DoubleLottchen makes very excellent points. I would use her comments as your starting point.

For Oxford Circus really worth taking at look at the Essex ends of both central and victoria lines. Walthamstow, Buckhurst Hill, that sort of place. It can be surprisingly rural, no need to change from British Rail to Tube, a good chance of getting a seat, and quick journeys.

Plus then you are on the tube should you want to visit London to, say, take the kids to museums.

Cross rail or Chiltern line (walk from Marylebone depending which end of Oxford st)

If you are considering private school of £6000 per term - then why aren't you prepared to pay more on rent and live near a decent state school?

Hampton, Teddington. Those sorts of areas are about 40 odd minutes into Waterloo.

Someone else mentioned Wanstead, E11. It is within London, on the Central line,two tube stations
Agree that Wanstead is lovely, but don’t expect a seat on the 28 minute commute to Oxford Circus, from either Wanstead or Snaresbrook tube stations. Or to get a decent 3-bed semi for less than £2k per month.

Parts of ealing would fit the bill, good schools, end of central line (he might have to walk/ bike to Oxford Circus (not near Euston) but also 12 minutes on train to Paddington.

Reigate in Surrey. A winner on all counts!

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-63266536.html
There you go. North Kingston ticks all your boxes. In catchment of outstanding primaries and new academy secondary which is on its way to being outstanding. 10 minute walk to Norbiton station then half hour train to Waterloo. Richmond park virtually at end of road.

Another vote for North Kingston!

Take a look at this site to give you ideas as to where is feasible to commute in 50 mins. commutefrom.co.uk/

Beaconsfield is lovey, as is Marlow and Windsor. Depending on your timeframe, don’t forget that crossrail will be up and running relatively soon and that will bring a whole load more places within a 50min commute.

Reigate to Oxford Street is not 50 minutes its more like 90 minutes especially on his way home, dh did it for over 4 years.

Bought a fold up bike, tried driving to a tube station - all took pretty much the same time.

Another vote for Ampthill for Redborn catchment and commute from Flitwick. Or what about one of the old bits or villages near Milton Keynes, if your DP doesn't mind a drive to the station (Bletchley is better for parking than MK Central, although the train is slower) - Stony Stratford, Woburn, Woburn Sands, Deanshanger etc. Leighton Buzzard is also popular with commuters (not half as pretty as York though, but nothing affordable and commutable from London is).

Try Tring or Bushey Village. Both on the fast line to Euston. Bit small but quaint and close to proper facilities.

What about stations on the new crossrail line?

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-52730682.html

This is 10 mins walk to Twickenham station, which is in an advanced state of chaos at the moment but your husband would be at Vauxhall station in about 25 mins and then it's four tube stops to Oxford Circus.

Twickenham has great schools (you'd be nicely in the catchment for St Richard Reynolds and Trafalgar primaries, I think), close to Richmond Park and Bushy Park, between Richmond and Kingston for shopping etc.

berkhamstead is a lovely town with a short commute to Euston on the train. seems to be a lot of 3 beds for approx £2k and less

tring also worth a look

@HerculesMulligan where is the third bedroom in that one? Bet my bottom dollar they are counting the sitting room downstairs as a bedroom.

For Oxford Street, the Chiltern line is handy as you can walk or go via the Bakerloo line to Oxford Circus. You could therefore consider Amersham, Great Missenden and Wendover. All have great schools but getting a place in one will be a bigger challenge. Bucks is also 11 plus and you may not want that. Tring and Berkhamsted into Euston also worth a look. The schools there may be less pressurised. Beaconsfield and Gerrards Cross are less of a commute but more expensive for housing as they are highly desirable. Ditto problem with schools though.

I'd be surprised if they are, Fluffy. I have friends on the same road - one big double, one small double and a tiny box room.

Buckinghamshire and the Chiltern Hills

High Wycombe, beaconsfield, Gerard's Cross.. that line can have in London in 25 minutes on the fast train

Fastest train from Gerrards Cross is only 19 mins and then it is only a 9 minute walk to Oxford St through lovely tree lined Georgian streets and squares. Chiltern line is very reliable. All in all a v civilised commute.
Great location for a wide variety of weekend family fun and exploration as only 30 min drive to central London, Oxford, Windsor, Marlow, Henley or Westfield and Bicester for serious shopping. More boutique shopping, lovely pubs and restaurants locally and in surrounding picturesque historic villages. Schools great. Green, leafy and beautiful open countryside. 15 mins drive to LHR and 5 mins drive to M25 and M40 if you need the motorways.

This would need a drive to station
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-70522253.html
These are in walking distance
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-52302372.html
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-51624174.html

Always negotiate 10% off advertise rent - possibly more if you commit for 2-3 years.