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?????

It's a catch 22 though. The further away you live, the higher the commuting costs. Surely it would make sense to stay and extend when you factor in the costs of moving, stamp duty etc (£25K?). Although having said that a two hour commute each way must be soul destroying.

Tohaveandtohold thank you that's very helpful. I have looked at a lot of these areas and they look v good but as you said can be far from the station/ameanites. My sister lives near Kettering and the houses look good there and wellingborough. Are these areas good? Also market harbour and corby look good although in the next county. Are you familiar with these areas. Sorry so many question hope you don't mind. Thanks

Hi mrspatmore we currently live in a small 3 bed terrace and had intended to do a loft conversion and side return extension. It's a very long story but we were let down by a builder and now the quotes are coming in over 100k and that's just for the shell. The stamp duty is paid on some of the new builds we have looked at but I see your point. Yes it's not nice commuting but there is no way we can afford to move any closer to london.

Have you looked at Newbury? Or Didcot and the surrounding villages? It’s only 45 minutes to London Paddington from Didcot Parkway. An annual ticket costs approx £6k. Drayton village has a good bus link to the station and there are a couple of 4 bed properties within your price range.

How about long buckby? It's on the Euston line.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-54647070.html#_full-description

I grew up there. Couldn't comment on schools now but it's a nice village. I left 25 years ago but my parents still live there.

I think you'd struggle as a non driver though. The catchment secondary school is guilsborough. There's no other way to get there e.g. for parents evening or if a child got ill. You'd have to factor in taxis to your budget.

PM if you want more info.

You'll pay more commuting on the E Mids line to St Pancras (Harborough, Kettering, Corby and Wellingborough) than you will going into Euston from Long Buckby or Northampton.

I won’t advice you to buy in Corby. The houses are cheaper but they’re cheap for a reason.
The other counties are good but you’ll spend more commuting to London from there than if you were in Northampton.

Second Folkestone. Tonnes of people commuting to London (DH included). Highly recommend as a great place to live with a young family. Lots of properties within your budget.

Thanks ladies lots to look at and a big decision to make. X

Lurksnolonger is there any areas I should avoid and are you familiar with the schools?

Relatively new ourselves but the West End / Radnor Park areas are generally considered nicer than the East End I believe. Cheriton seems like a very affordable choice for families. FB groups We Love Folkestone and Newbies in Folkestone were very useful before we took the plunge. Seems to be a good choice of primaries. Can honestly say I wish we had done it sooner. It’s a great place to live.

Sorry, Newbie Parents in Folkestone is the useful FB group. The other newbie one has little traffic...

Do you mean a 2 hour commute each way? So 4 hours travelling every day?! I'm genuinely astonished that people commute such a long way.

Thank you that's great will have a look at the fb page you suggested.

Hi Whystay yes it's at least two hours each. Unfortunately we can't afford to live any closer. X