Hi everyone, my first time posting here! Would really appreciate your advice!
My OH and I are looking to buy our first home - currently (and always) live in London but looking to move out as can't buy in London (at least not a house). Would love ideas of areas - needs to be a town rather than village as 18 yo needs independence outside of us (will be getting her a car when she passes her test but that won't be immediate, we currently have a family car), with a train station in town or nearby that has direct links to Paddington/West London.
Budget is £350k, though could stretch a little. 3 bedrooms with an ability to make a 4th, and study needed (either outside or downstairs). I WFH and OH is likely to need to travel 2-3 days a week into London (post COVID, currently FT WFH). Teen will be commuting to West London 2-3 days a week in Sept for 8 months then is likely to move out for Uni. An hour to West London is do-able as frequency of travel is limited.
Been thinking around Oxfordshire, Caversham, and at a push Cotswolds (like the bigger houses, more space, and general vibe, downside is longer commute!). We all like the idea of a big house and garden (a 'forever' home), but weighing it up considerably against commute.
Also, some diversity is important - we are a mixed race family - definitely do not expect the diversity of London, but also don't want to be the only mixed race family in town. Would also like to be pretty safe. Both for my teen, and myself (I got mugged before and the feeling of being unsafe hasn't left me entirely).
Not sure if we're asking the impossible here! Thanks in advance for your help :)