Location, Location, Location...

[Synecdoche]

I am looking to start a family soon and we are looking to change areas - but I'm really unsure about where to even start looking!

I've been thinking about Epping/towns on the edge of the central line etc in terms of location but don't really know much about them. I come from the West of England so feel out of my depth in the SE despite living here for 5 years!

We currently live in a small market town but have to travel at least 12 miles for shopping, cinema, big shops etc which isn't really convenient for me as a wheelchair user. I used to live in a city and it was much easier having everything 'on my doorstep'. We did live in Cambridge but it wasn't for me.

Our many requirements...

• DH needs to commute into either Euston or Kings X ideally, but Liverpool Street could be an option
• PiLs live in Essex so would be useful to be close to them
• Area needs to be fairly urban with lots to do and conveniences close by (cinema, shopping, cafes, parks etc.), good public transport and accessibility (I am a wheelchair user) BUT...
• Access to countryside for weekend for DHs running/cycling would be a plus

We have about £500k and are looking for a bungalow with a garage and garden. Hopefully this will be a family home to bring children up in.

Can anyone help??

what about a house like this?
www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/48742733?search_identifier=e908c82204b3c3321f2158c05a7f1d91

info about the place its located:
www.visitessex.com/saffron-walden.aspx

Here's a Rightmove link for you. www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/find.html?locationIdentifier=REGION%5E487&propertyTypes=bungalow&primaryDisplayPropertyType=bungalows&mustHave=parking%2Cgarden

Some of the bungalows are quite expensive but the two at the bottom of the page aren't.

You may of course ask Rightmove to search half a mile outside the area and get something reasonably priced.

Good luck. I don't know Epping but it looks very nice.

Thanks so much both!

Saffron Walden is beautiful and I have enjoyed some lovely outings there but there is no mainline train station closer than Audley End And the pavements are so narrow and slanty! A niche complaint I know!

Rebecca I am living on RM! Bungalows are always so expensive seemingly. Thanks for the link!

North Ipswich, Suffolk? Fantastic parks (especially Christchurch Park) town has cinema complex, compact shopping area, okish transport (not brilliant but buses in to town on most routes) and fantastic access to lots of lovely rural areas. Roughly one hour commute from station to Liverpool Street. Essex nearby! Quite a few bungalows for sale at your price point, look at Sidegate Lane and Henley Road (although latter can be heavy with traffic at peak hrs).

Ook at Clayhall and Barkingside, both in Essex. Barkingside has a High Road and Central Line Station. Look near Fairlop Station too.

Doer upper here.

Thanks spreading and fabulous - I have never heard of any of these places so will get googling! Are they quite built up/lots of facilities and amenities accessible?

maybe this is in a better area? www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/48604751?search_identifier=5443a3017678bd0b46302618a59f48df

Can I also suggest North Chingford. This has an overground Station. Only 20 mins to Liverpool Street from there. A nice high road with countryside right next to it. It's also a bit cheaper than some other areas nearby.

Lots of Bungalows in the area too around Whitehall Road and elsewhere.

Ipswich is a rural town, population of 133,000 or so I think, lots going on! I think Ipswich would be pretty good for wheelchair access (although would obviously merit further research). Large parts of town centre where the shops are, are pedestrianised. The university and cinema complex and the water front are all recently updated and so I imagine would have correct access.

this and this both fit your criteria

Have you looked at Chelmsford, great shopping , 30 minutes into Liverpool Street and load of green spaces

Yes. Built up and accessible. Barkingside more so than Clayhall.

What about Bishops Stortford? Just over the Essex/Herts border but it has good shops and frequent trains into Liverpool Street and Stratford.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-74110613.html#_full-description

Great thanks for the further links and suggestions, all v much appreciated.

I like the look of Ipswich and Chelmsford.

Bishop Stortford is also 100% right in paper but I have similar issues with the camber of the pavements on the high street! Such a small thing but makes a huge difference day to day!

South Woodford has many of the kerbs smoothed out. You'd have to look at flats though. There are a couple of ground floor maisonettes for sale in a road called Beechwood Park, E18.

St Neots?

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-73304603.html

Sorry posted too soon. St Neots is great for kids. About 40 min on fast train to Kings X, Cinema, Waitrose, lots of walks at Paxton Pits, etc.

Hi Synec

If you’re thinking of Essex it might be worth looking at Chelmsford. More of a commute than Epping but you’d get loads more for your money and it’s a lot less of a commute than Ipswich.

This one, for example, is detached, three bedrooms and has a lovely garden. Just over a mile from the station. £485k.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-75452591.html

Thank you fabulous fellow kerb connoisseur!

I wouldn't have considered St Neot's orangina but it sounds lovely so maybe it's worth a visit as we're not far.

That bungalow is lovely singing - will have to look more into Chelmsford! Is it a fairly modern place? (And by that I mean are the pavements in good condition...what is my life...)

Yes there's quite a lot of bungalows in St Neots but it isn't all old folks! I actually linked to the wrong one, meant to show this one.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-54694743.html

There are quite a few cheaper ones too.

Good luck with your search

That's gorgeous! And huge!! And you say there's a Waitrose!

Chelmsford is a very old town but the town centre has been modernised and so (I think) would be relatively easy to get around.

I’m a fellow bungalow-dweller (DH has PD). Our big bugbear when house hunting was the number of properties that are advertised as bungalows when they are actually ex bungalows. So many have had bedrooms put into the loft and the downstairs made into open plan living spaces. Infuriating!

Here’s a picture of Chelmsford town centre I pulled from google images - loads more on there to give you an idea

Oh look! An Everyman cinema and a John Lewis