Where to move too???

[VIC2380]

Hi newbie here. We are currently living in SE London/kent and looking to move out of the area. We have 3 dc 11,9 and 13 months so will need primary and secondary school and my partner works in west london so will need to commute daily, no more than two hours could make it 2 and half for the perfect house. Oh and also neither of us drive so will need to be close to the station and good transport links for me and little one to get out and about. Playgroup etc. We are looking for a 4 bed and have between 3-350k depending on travel costs

Does such a place exist or am I kidding myself?????

Stroud. Great for families, reasonable schooling, good transport links to London. Beautiful countryside. You can find something in your budget if you are prepared to compromise.

Thank you I'm not familiar with that area. Is there any part you recommend? Are the schools close by? How is the local transport? Compromise how? Sorry so many questions.

Bristol or Bath. Both have direct rail links to Paddington.

Thanks ladies for the suggestions but it will cost over 10k per year for my partner to get into work.

We've just moved to Cam/Dursley. It's on the Cotswold Way, just south of Stroud, and it's fantastic. Absolutely breathtaking scenery, fantastic local schools, and so much to see and do. The transport links are great, And last year Dursley won an award for the best commuter town for the whole of the U.K! We've moved here from Bristol as we got tired of city life, and couldn't be happier with our desicion. Plus it's so cheap to buy here. We bought a stunning 4 bed eco home for 280k. Would never have got anything like this in Bristol for that price. Highly recommend having a look at the area!

Ah just seen thst you've said that the commuting costs would be too high to move this way. What a shame! Good luck with your search for the perfect area, my brother lives in Reading which I know has good commuter links to London, have never explored the area much though so couldn't say if it's good or bad!

Your best bet is probably compromising with a 3 bed & looking to extend at a later date as funds allow.

We are thinking about whether to buy in Bristol or Dursley. We work in Bristol, so commuting from Dursley, particularly in the morning can be a bit of nightmare. Currently we are renting, with 15 minutes commuting.

I know Bristol is expensive, there are decent 3 beds fro around £250 - £275k. Difficult to decide!

Is that two hours from house to work, or two,hours on the train. That’s a long commute.

Which london station do,you need to travel to?

Herts?

bedford

Maidstone

Dunstable

st neots

Thank you tabbytwitchet the area sounds amazing and just had a look and the house also look amazing but at 11k a year just now for us now. Maybe when the kids have left home. 😄

Hi movingnextyearhopefully thanks for replying We currently live in a 3 bed and was looking to extend but costs so much and that's why looking to move.

Hi petalflowers it currently takes him 2 hours from home to work. Would be looking about the same or maybe half hour more. He needs to get to Kensington Olympia or West Kensington and then a short walk.

Are you familiar with any of these areas in particular. I've looked into a couple of them but most info from locals is dated Thanks

Compromise maybe in terms of space to get a house in your price bracket. Stroud has a station which takes 2 hours to get to London. There are good schools and a great vibe - lots of young families. Cam/Dursley are also great areas as mentioned above.

Will his job be in London forever? There are jobs in other parts of the country...

Hi yes he will there for sometime. If he was to move his wage would drop significantly.

Personally I think commuting everyday to London from the Stroud area (or Bath area come to that) must be hell on earth. The trains are so crowded at peak times, the season ticket costs an arm and a leg, and there are too many potentials for problems. I infrequently travel to London on this line, and even then there are often hold ups, signalling problems etc, and you usually have to stand all the way from Paddington to Swindon coming back. Added to that you would barely see your partner during the week.
Op, not driving could be a bit of a handicap if you move out. Rural bus services are not nearly as good as those in London, and are also quite expensive.

Bicester sounds ideal for you, an hr away from Marylebone station and am sure house prices fall within your budget. Another alternative would be Banbury which is a bit further away but still on the same chiltern line to Marylebone. You'll have to do your own research into quality of schools.

Kensington you need to be coming into Paddington for best commute. Reading is 30mins on a train from Paddington, but you won't get what you want for £350k. Could look at Calcot/Tilehurst - good bus links to the town centre (depending which bit 15min into centre) and plenty going on with baby groups etc. And I imagine an hour commute each way would make a huge difference to your DH!
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-66752089.html

For that money, I think you'd have to go North. Northamptonshire would be more realistic for your budget house wise; it's an hour from
Northampton train station to Euston.

Slough.

Thanks ladies so great ideas will definitely look into them. Yes not driving is a right pain.

Think you are right Northamptonshire might be the way to go and I have family that way. Anyone familiar with northampshire?

Folkestone? Less than an hour to Paddington, 4 beds is possible for your budget.

I live in Northamptonshire and agree that lots of people who commute from here to London. Your budget will go far here and there are amazing schools and houses in the countryside. Areas like Wooton, Boughton village, Hunsbury, new Duston, Abington vale, Chapel Brampton, Brixworth, Spratton, Kelmarsh, Naseby are brilliant but the only issue is that as both of you don’t drive, you need to think about bus links to the train station, etc. I know your Oh will get buses to the train station that run like every 10 minutes from Abington vale and New Duston but I don’t know about transport links in the other areas.
Don’t consider living in the town centre though.