Nice affordable town/village commutable to London

[Ricochet77]

Hi there,

I expect this has been asked a lot so apologies! We live in Essex with our 2 kids (7 and 3). We’re generally happy with the area and love living near Epping Forest, but the state secondary schools are not good where we are and the property is expensive.

We would like to move to a more affordable (but lovely) area - if that exists! I grew up in the countryside so would love greenery/woodland and somewhere with a rural feel. Somewhere safe and friendly with a nice high street and things to do locally for the kids.

My OH commutes into Liverpool Street and because of his long hours he would like his commute to be an hour door to door (or not much over).

We would like a nice area with excellent state secondary schools (and ideally with the option for grammar schools too).

Budget is £850k. The other option we possibly have is to buy for around £600/650k and spend the money we save on private school.

We are considering:

Hitchin
Harpenden
Billericay
Chelmsford
Watford

Any other options we may not have considered? Or any opinions on the places above? Any input very gratefully received, thank you!!

Why would you not be looking at Tunbridge Wells?

Two grammar schools for girls, three grammar schools for boys. 1 hr from the City and I hour fro the coast . A beautiful town with a common. 15 minutes to Ashdown forest . 2 rail links for the commute (tun Wells 40 mins or Eridge 55 mins with free parking !)





www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/fullscreen/image-gallery.html?propertyId=83480765&photoIndex=0

@Wigeon do you work for Watford tourist board

I am tempted to move there myself after all that

I'm not sure if you commute by train but if so East Midlands is only an hour from London and has affordable housing.
Your budget would get you a nice rural location and decent size property.

@keepingbees the problem is the commute needs to be an hour door to door. An hour just spent on the train will be too much, once you factor in tube travel and a walk from arriving in London to his office, plus walking time from station to home . OH would like approx 30-40 mins max on the train because of the hours he works.

@widgeon fab info on Watford thank you so much! Really appreciate it. Definitely food for thought. I do love Cassiobury Park

@Fivetillmidnight - TW looks wonderful and thanks for the info but it’s too far for OH to travel. An hour on the train is too much. We’re looking for an hour door to door. Frustrating but quite crucial when he often finishes work at 10pm or later

@elastamum Ampthill sounds lovely but it doesn’t seem to have a train station of its own? OH doesn’t drive so we’d need to live max of a mile from a train station into London (so he can get there and back on foot)

Again, definitely Bishops Stortford or surrounding villages. Schools are excellent, you’re into very rural countryside quite quickly, the town has most of what you need (and Cambridge, Braintree and Harlow are within easy reach) and you could afford a nice house within walking distance of the station on that budget.

One end of Ampthill, near Redborne Upper School, is probably within a mile of Flitwick station. The centre is probably half a mile further. It’s a lovely little town.

Regarding Hitchin, you can get a detached house in Benslow Lane for £850k. It’s a really nice area and pretty sure it would be within catchment for HGS.

@AnnPerkins thank you for the info. I will look again. It sounds lovely

@MyCatScaresDogs thank you. Bishops Stortford now definitely on our short list. Need to take some time and go and see these areas

Look at Cheddington, village on fast line to Euston. Walking distance to station. 40 mins on train. Excellent schools in area ( including grammar schools). Beautiful area but close to lots of amenities. Lots of families with young children. Much cheaper than Berkhamsted and you can get a seat on train !