Yet another "where to?" post!

[miffy88]

Hi everyone!

DH and I have been looking at properties for nearly a year now, while saving up enough to put a deposit down and make sure we have a bit of a buffer.

I've lived in London my whole life and have looked at all the areas I'm familiar with/would be interesting in living in, and we simply can't afford the prices with a budget of max. £325k. DH is from the country originally and neither of us are big on nightlife or many socialising things aside from going to the gym and the odd catch up drinks with friends.

We're currently living with my Mum, which has been fine and it's nice to keep each other company, but we're really hoping to find somewhere nice to call our own, especially as we're going to start TTC soon.

DH has to commute to near Paddington for work and I work from home so am very flexible (the downside being I'm likely to be home alone all day until he gets home). He's not keen on the idea of long commutes, and neither of us are keen on the idea of being in the centre of the bigger commuter towns.

I like the idea of somewhere walkable, with a couple of coffee shops, library, some amenities with some pretty architecture and character.

Station to reach: Paddington or easily reachable by tube from another major station
Commute: Less than 1hr
Budget: £325k

I've looked at places like Reading, Sevenoaks, etc. which had a remarkably quick commute into London, but thought I'd seek new wisdom on places around the big towns that I might not have spotted or that are real gems!

Are you looking for a house or a flat?

We went to view flat in Epsom a few weeks ago that we really loved but unfortunately the lease does not allow you rent out. Because of my partners work we might have to move in the future and we don't want to have the hassle of having to sell if that happens.

But it really is a nice flat in a really good location in Epsom. Quick walk into town and station, close to the main park, lots of coffee shop. And Epsom is a nice town, good commute and good schools.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-68591627.html

How many bedrooms do you need? Do you want to do some work or need it ready to move in to? Do you need to be close to family?

Don't forget crossrail is opening later in the year, which should make a big difference to the commute.

How about slightly further than Reading. Didcot or Swindon perhaps? Still on the mainline to Paddington.

Slough. The town centre is a bit of a dump but plans for a new shopping centre. £325K will get you a house. Very close to Windsor for nice shops. Good transport links to Heathrow, Reading and Paddington. Will have a Crossrail station.

Chippenham?

I dont know if you want 'real' countryside, but the Pewsey train goes into Paddington. Pewsey area is lovely, Bedwyn is a bit nearer so more expensive but equally nice.

Swindon line again goes into Paddington. Villages around Swindon are quite nice, but Swindon itself isnt and youd have to drive to the station. Chippenham about an hour down the line, has pretty villages in the area (Cosrham, Biddisham), Chippenham itself isnt great (understatement). Reasonable house prices though.

Plumstead/Woolwich? Crossrail coming in December which will be an easy ride to Paddington. Some lovely Victorian properties near the commons with lots of regeneration going on. Will be a good investment as one of the last ungentrified areas of London. Good community. 15 minute drive to chi chi Blackheath/Greenwich.

Thanks for all the input everyone.

As to the questions:

House/Flat: either - I've never lived in a house and we do like the idea of a garden but being closer to the station so DH has less commute is more important.

Bedrooms: ideally 2, but if in London we're looking at 1 beds because of price.

Work/ready to move: DH says he doesn't mind a bit of work, especially as it might mean we get more back when we move on, BUT he always prefers new build, shiny, perfect places, so somewhere with vague cosmetic work to be done would be alright, but don't know any real builders etc. for serious stuff.

Close to family: only really have my mum and she's in central London, so as easy to reach as DH's work.

Epsom also looks nice, but not familiar with area, and I'm even investigating some of the further out parts of London that have quite fast connections like Bromley.

Hillingdon/Ealing area? Northolt, South Ruislip, Ruislip Gardens, Ruislip, Ickenham, Uxbridge. 1 bedroom flats, possibly 2 in some areas for £325,000. There’s the central or Met/Piccadilly Line that’s runs out to West London and also a Chiltern train that runs from Denham, West Ruislip, South Ruislip to Paddington.