Moving out of London on very modest budget?

[Grundoncalling]

We're currently in Croydon and want to move somewhere less grey, but with good commuting links to London. I'm massively pregnant and there's an urge to live somewhere a bit less oppressive that's closer to family. Family are in Basingstoke and Reading.

The issue is currently champagne taste with beer money! Our budget is about 400k. We currently have a beautiful 3 bed period terrace and I would want at least a similar standard of place. We aren't too fussed about areas.. most places are nicer than Croydon! I'm a HCP and can work anywhere, but DH needs to get to central London.

I can't but feel we might not be able to afford it.

what about something like this in denvilles, havant. its a 50 minute drive to Basingstoke, and it is a 3 minute walk to the train station. however, it would be a 1hr 30 minute commute for your dp to get to central london.

What about Farnham or Alton area? Easy to get to Reading, Basingstoke and London, pretty town in the countryside, great schools... or Caversham?

Is 400k considered a modest budget? Jesus Christ
Sorry , not helpful I know!

Folkestone? Bit further but fast trains under an hour and great houses for the money

You'll definitely be able to find something with that budget. What about somewhere like Otley in Kent or Biggin Hill?

Presumably you have ruled out Reading and Basingstoke themselves?
I would look at Mortimer and Bramley on the Reading - Basingstoke line, or villages out towards Newbury from Reading along the A4 - there are a few stations. Newbury has direct trains to Paddington.

Thanks for the suggestions

SunsetBunny I hear you the two other Londony threads have budgets for 1-2 million. I guess it's relative, we have friends in the north east with a 90k palace

Fleet or Farnborough (it’s a bit less nice but your money will go further in Farnborough)? From both they’re a direct train to Basingstoke, fast trains to London and an easy drive to both Reading and Basingstoke.
Farnham is also lovely but expensive, worth a look but may not be affordable if you’re after a Victorian terrace.

Havant is probably too far out, we're hoping to keep DH's commute less than 75mins door to door.

I haven't necessarily ruled out Reading and Bssingstoke.. bit rough in parts but they have a tempting stock of victorian places

Farnborough looks ace. Bit quiet though?

It's also the commuting costs... A season ticket from Reading is 5.5k (incl tube travel).

So are you looking for quite big town to move to?

That's a good point. Commuting from Basingstoke/Farnborough would be cheaper as DH could walk from Waterloo. Currently we're paying £500 a month for both of us commuting into central so I'm hoping if I could drive to work we could cut this down.

Has anyone lived in Farnborough or Basingstoke?

I am looking for some advice please. My husband and I are looking to relocate to Essex .
We need somewhere commutable as I will be working in East London 2days pw.
Our kids are grown up The youngest may join us for a year till he gets a job following finishing at uni.
We are considering the Bishops Stortford area. Or other places which are on a train line. Any feedback welcome. TIA.

I went to school and college in Farnborough but that was a long time ago! Was a bit shit back then, no real high street or central area, an awful shopping centre that's probably gone. No idea what it's like now... Fleet had more going on.

You’ll get more replies if you start your own thread with your own title re Essex @Yorkiie1962

If DH can walk from Waterloo, then that will save some money on commuting.

This Victorian house is in Guildford so the commute would be good and it's a nice place.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-71803969.html

I think the grim shopping centre in Farnborough has had a refurb but there’s still no real centre to it. If you want more of a proper town centre then Fleet would be better and it’s still on the same train line to Waterloo.

I would live in Basingstoke over Farnborough any day, personally. Commuting to Waterloo is fine, and you generally get a seat.
Unless you need secondary schooling - schools aren't great.

Fleet looks a bit pricey. Basingstoke might be the best shout then? It has got some pretty streets or at least prettier than Croydon

Whathappenedtothelego can I ask about the secondary schools? There are some 'good' ofsted rated ones, is it known locally they're a bit rubbish?

Would be stupid to move somewhere with iffy secondary schools with a newborn? Ideally we'd like to settle somewhere

Oh dear... I just had a look at the government stats on schools in Basingstoke and there's only one good Catholic one and the rest aren't somewhere that a choosey parent would ever consider.

Have you considered Staines/Egham. It’s on the reading line. You have good town centre, fast trains to London, the river Thames and pretty pubs.

We had our first child here and it’s been great for things to do and community!

We just sold our £400k 3 bed Victorian semi. So sounds like you could get a similar property here. We love it, and are only moving for work

Staines sounds lovely but it's a bit too far from my parents in Basingstoke

Bugger about the schools. Basingstoke seemed like a good option

£400k is mega bucks!

Schools can change an awful lot in 10 years if you are currently pregnant?

Schools can change in 10 years. Lots of the primary schools are good. And there is the possibility of the Reading grammar schools too. And if you are a low birth rate year, you might get into a slightly further away school - Alton and Winchester schools are good, or Hurst and Willink towards Reading. Thatcham and Newbury schools also good, and not too far.
I would go for it, but keep in mind that you might decide you want to move for secondary.

I can’t believe it’s possible to write of an entire town as having no ‘good’ secondary schools.