350-400k, 3 bed, decent schools, commute to City of London

[SparrowNest]

Can anyone recommend areas? Currently thinking Orpington or Whyteleafe might be good options. We have a toddler and are hoping to have a second child soonish.

One advise, make sure that the rooms are very large otherwise you'll regret it and will try to move to a bigger house later. Try and look for an extra £50k and get bigger rooms.

Also, I'll suggest DA16, DA6 or DA7

What about Watford or hemel. South London is a nightmare if you have extended family anywhere other than Kent. I like being close to the M1 (I live a bit further north) but within half an hour of Euston.

How about Redhill - 30 mins to London Bridge or Victoria.
There are definitely houses for £350k with 3 beds. There are lots of different areas of Redhill with some better than others and some near excellent primary or secondary schools.

1 stop into London from there is Merstham. Again properties in your price range.

I think there are lots of areas that could work , esp as you get closer to £400k. No probs finding somewhere in sensible travelling distance. Totally Money produce a map each year to show suburbs ranked with time of travel, housing costs and season ticket all factored in. Could be useful and lots of the towns already mentioned on here will come up.