Does this place exist?

[babymakesfive]

Hi! We're back to the UK after a number of years overseas, and frantically trying to find the place to move to!

Criteria:

• Picturesque/charming/very pretty town or large village
• Great public schools (DC will be joining in September so will need more than one good option as they will surely be waitlisted). DC in primary now but good secondary options a bonus
• With a buzzing high street or near a city that has lots to do
• Within reasonable commuting distance from London (the City) for a 2 or 3x a week journey in
• Safe
• Friendly and welcoming locals!
• Nature nearby for hikes etc

We've looked at St Albans and Winchester, would love other suggestions. Thank you in advance!

@MiniMaxi

How about Oxford?

I adore Oxford, dream of living in the Cotswolds one day! DH isn't a fan of the commute, sadly

Sevenoaks or Tunbridge Wells and villages between would fit the bill

Marlow? Or as a PP said, Beaconsfield?

Seymour Plain, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, SL7
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-82593430.html

Beaconsfield
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-71875428.html

Both have buzzy high streets. Marlow is a bit more popular at the moment as it's getting a bit of a celeb haunt thanks to Tom Kerridge having 4 pubs/restaurants there.

If you are worried about schools and only have 2 kids and 4K a month to waste on rent, why not pay 2k a month rent and send them to private school? Better investment and may be more supported if coming from abroad (perhaps more International kids etc).

@SandysMam

If you are worried about schools and only have 2 kids and 4K a month to waste on rent, why not pay 2k a month rent and send them to private school? Better investment and may be more supported if coming from abroad (perhaps more International kids etc).

This is a good idea if you've only got one DC. The "cheap" prep school round here is £5,750 per term which would leave you with £2,500 for rent each month.

@DistinguishedCarrot

Those are some very expensive preps. Presumably some of the areas would have more reasonably priced schools ( I’m in outer London and it’s cheaper).

What about Wiltshire? Marlborough and surrounds have lots of pretty villages and towns, Bath is close by for city, good schools and a number of good train links to London from either Bedwyn or Chippenham.

@SandysMam

If you are worried about schools and only have 2 kids and 4K a month to waste on rent, why not pay 2k a month rent and send them to private school? Better investment and may be more supported if coming from abroad (perhaps more International kids etc).

We have 3 DC Youngest will go to nursery (reception next year)

[quote JoJoSM2]@DistinguishedCarrot

Those are some very expensive preps. Presumably some of the areas would have more reasonably priced schools ( I’m in outer London and it’s cheaper).[/quote]
I'm in Buckinghamshire. Our closest private school is £10k per term! And those are day fees. Boarders are even more! 😮😮

Marlow.

I've never understood the view that private education is an investment 🤔

We’re definitely going to need good state schools, independents are out of our reach unfortunately

Guildford is are also worth looking at - excellent state schools, historic but vibrant high street and lots of beautiful countryside on the doorstep. Surrounding villages and Godalming are also worth checking out.

So we’ve been doing the rounds! A common factor in places we like seems to be charming buildings and a pedestrianised town centres, not just cafes on the side of a busy road?

Loved Winchester but schools massively oversubscribed
Liked St Albans a lot but schools also v oversubscribed
Liked Henley and Marlow but both were pretty busy... think we much prefer a pedestrianised high street!
Walton on Thames felt quite generic
Barnes - way too busy and congested, also super expensive

Guildford - liked the high street, but none of the good schools have spaces (but we didn’t check out any neighboring villages? Anywhere we should look at?)
Thames Ditton - high street stores all empty/closed, also nightmare traffic
Farnham: think we may have missed the high street? It seemed very quiet

Haven’t been to Tunbridge Wells, Reigate or Cambridge yet.

Any places we haven’t seen yet that fit the brief? Lively but very charming high street, a variety of shops and restaurants etc within easy reach, great state schools, easy access to London in an hour or less? Seems like Mission Impossible at the moment!

Leigh on sea?

Lots of good schools in the local area, lovey high street, less than an hour from London Fenchurch

Lindfield, West Sussex- train from Haywards to London Bridge and Victoria
Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex- train from Hassocks
Brighton

Have you considered Kent?

Have you lived in the UK before, do you have friends or family in a certain area?

Have you looked at Solihull, or that sort of area? An hour and 15 mins to Euston from Birmingham International train station. I've heard that the schools are good. Town centre is pedestrianised.

You need to look at Harpenden.
Or maybe Queens Park or Hampstead in London would tick your boxes?

@Mixingitall

Lindfield, West Sussex- train from Haywards to London Bridge and Victoria Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex- train from Hassocks Brighton

Have you considered Kent?

Have you lived in the UK before, do you have friends or family in a certain area?

We have lived here before, always in London! Trying to get away from big city living for a number of reasons. We have family on the outskirts of London, not far from Richmond, so ideally we wouldn’t be tooooo far from there (an hour max).

You will find any decent schools oversubscribed. The council must find you places. If you stick to areas where schools are generally decent, you’ll have a better chance of not being offered an undesirable one.

Have you tried Weybridge? It’ll be more up your street than Walton on Thames and is on the right side of London for your family.

You could also have a look at Dorking, very pretty and gorgeous setting in the hills but not sure if it’ll be buzzy enough for you.

Reigate does have traffic on the high street but I think you’ll like it otherwise.

Wokingham may be worth a look on that side of London too. I’m not sure how buzzy it is but schools are good and it’s another one of those pretty market towns.

@DistinguishedCarrot I’m in S London it’s max 4,500 a term for preps (even the ones with extensive grounds and facilities or those with good success rates at top public schools)

Pinner?

Horsham has a lovely mostly pedestrianised centre, regular farmers market, nice pubs / restaurants. Trains not the most reliable though.

Bates Richmond is heavng with traffic and it's nice but crowded along the pedestrian parts along the river, OP said Barnes is too busy and that's similar - also there's plane noise. Dread to think how oversubscribed schools are there!

Essex? Billericay, Brentwood and surrounding areas....