Please help us finding a place to live. I really want to move out of London now

[kingat]

Dear Mumsnetters, please help me finding a place to live. I have seen many threads like this and there were always so many good ideas, so hoping There is a perfect place for us too.
We are currently in a London suburb and looking to move out.
What we are looking for is a town with low crime rates, generally feeling safe and good schools. The property itself doesn’t matter as much, but we need 3bed and would love to have a nice garden for DC.

These are the challenges though:
Budget of 400k, I need to factor in commuting costs
Commute: I have to get to Canary Wharf most days and to Liverpool Street/Bank some days
DH works in Ealing and drives
We are of foreign background, so multicultural aspect matters too

It is possible?

Can either/both of you change jobs or relocate workwise to another office in a different part of the country? Your £400k would go a long way outside London. We lived in Kent 30 years ago and my DH accepted a job transfer to Devon/Cornwall. Best thing we ever did.

What about a different part of London?

There’s no way I’d want my young children in school in the suburbs and both of us commuting into London daily.

Unless you have a live in nanny who is happy to work long hours and not make weekday evening plans, then it’s going to be virtually impossible.

Personally I would do everything possible to avoid a long commute.

There is really no way to change jobs, i am in the city even if I change job, I would still be based in canary wharf. Dh part owns a business. :(

In the most polite way your salary (based on your house budget) doesn’t seem an incentive to commute so far. Or does your role literally not exist anyway else?

I agree with AniAnoni, that kind of long, unpredictable commute for both of you isn’t really feasible unless you have live-in help, or relatives who can drop everything to pick up children from childcare on standby at all times. Most families here have one commuting parent and the trains will be stuffed at least once a week, that’s even without the irregular/slow services if you miss your needed fast train. I had to change careers to be out of London. Surely your job can’t be so rare you can’t do it elsewhere? Even if it’s banking, there are challenger banks and related industries based all over...

Won’t get that in Winchester ...

There are plenty of nice areas commutable by train/car to Ealing, where it’s feasible to get a decent (smallish) three bed for your budget. I’d seriously look into transferring your skills to a job near a target area, which would also improve your quality of life...

I would suggest looking along the crossrail line out to the west of London - not brilliant for you in Canary Wharf right now, but will be a simple journey for you in about 18 months time. Plus you and DH can use the same line for commuting.

Yes, my job is only based in CW. We earn good money, just dont want to spend it all on a mortgage plus commuting costs. We do have a very flexible nanny and I have to deal with train problems at least once a week already.

I would increase your house budget then & have a shorter commute.