Buzzy places to live within hour commute London

[800msprint]

Ideally with some culture, different independent restaurants and cafes, plus nice countryside on doorstep or something to do nature wise like a river, coast, big park or woodland nearby....
And also somewhere that isn’t overly tory/brexit. 😬 I don’t mind which way people lean but I would also like to be living somewhere where there are other people who have similar values to me too. I’m unsure at the moment what size place I’m after. I love cities but I also see the appeal of smaller places for ease. But I do like animosity and obviously you get more choice of stuff to do in bigger places. Kid-friendly. Schools are important but we can go private if state options not great/full. Basically somewhere with access to nature for when kids young but then also enough for them to do when teens too. Thanks!

[happylittlevegemites]

Close to the station, the “right” end of Mill Road (if that’s important) and that part of town has a slightly more alternative but very buzzy vibe.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/73902885

[chatwoo]

@Catycity

Oxford or Didcot Parkway

at Didcot being a buzzy place to be

[Guymere]

If you live in London it’s obviously difficult to understand how living somewhere else can have “life”. It’s not the same but all towns have character. Some are more gritty than others but many of the towns would meet the ops requirements.

[happylittlevegemites]

NOT buzzy, but there’s a nice pub and the bike party gets you into town in 15 mins, really nice route.

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

[Guymere]

What’s wrong with some people being well off? It’s the same in many towns in the SE. It’s often why there are festivals and lovely things to do and well preserved countryside.

However it doesn’t mean everyone is wealthy. Far from it. Also, enjoying a town requires a certain amount of spare cash. Whether it’s London, Berko or Cheltenham. You won’t be going to any of the local delights if you are struggling for money.

[happylittlevegemites]

This would be cool, parking is a nightmare in Kite, though.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/94517675

[happylittlevegemites]

How big does it need to be? This is a lovely 20 min cycle along Grantchester Meadows into town.

Bear in mind that Cambridge homes often go for over the asking price. www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/85503892

[Lemonsyellow]

Berkhamstead is completely the wrong vibe. It’s very wealthy.

Why don’t you stay in London? Lots to buy in your budget. Have you looked at Hanwell, West London, on the canal? Brockley in south London? Crystal Palace?

[FangsForTheMemory]

I lived in London for decades and some of the places being recommended as buzzy are making me raise my eyebrows. Brighton would fit your bill though, very lively. I LIKE Folkestone a lot. Also St Albans. Most small towns in the home counties are a bit Hyacinth Bucket IYSWIM.

[gingerbreadfox]

Chelmsford (Essex), 35 minutes to London Liverpool Street.

[JoJoSM2]

Cheam Village is perfectly pleasant suburbia but it is not buzzy

Not buzzy in itself but being in London it’s easy to access culture and buzziness while living in the house OP wants, very kid-friendly and lots of greenery.

[CremantCharlie]

Cheam Village is perfectly pleasant suburbia but it is not buzzy, nor does it have lots to do culturally. It has a few shops, a Costa and a Neros, a couple of cafes (not your artisan sort), no cinema, a small Waitrose and Sainsbury. A few hairdressers and beauty salon. Boots, WH Smith (tiny branches). Good rail links to London Victoria. It does have a famous dance studio.....

[Guymere]

Folkestone racecourse is pretty awful now. Closed down.

Cheltenham has a lot of what you want. Bristol, Oxford and Cambridge might be larger but they have community feel in certain areas. You could look at Cirencester, Bath, Maidenhead or Henley or Marlow. The latter are fairly posh though but then the best costs. Henley has bags of everything you want.

[SheridansSmyth]

Folkestone has all of those things, bar nightclubs, which I have to say that I actually don’t really miss anymore anyway having young DC 🙈. I do have to confess to living in a private gated house I’m afraid, but it’s pretty old and besides there is a huge amount of stunning architecture on offer so you wouldn’t have to! - it’s certainly not an identikit Stepford wives type place. As a PP we don’t have tonnes of private education on our doorstep (though Canterbury and Dover offer some) the grammar options are great and I’ve certainly not a single regret...

[PumpkinsPatch]

Reigate or Oxted maybe worth checking out too.

[SirCloudesley]

Everywhere seems a bit dull atm due to Covid 🙁

[800msprint]

Ok buzzy. What do I mean? Just a bit of oomph and life and character. I’m not sure I want 24/7 nightclubs anymore but I’d like a range of indie cafes, or interesting classes I could go to. Or an art gallery available to potter round or a yearly music or literary or arts festival. Somewhere with personality. Not a could be anywhere place with same chain shops and no life. And for the kids too - a range of things going on. Stuff to choose from like sports, music clubs or an attraction to make use of such as a river which then attracts canoeists or a woodland for ramblers or mountain bikes etc. Or a park run. Things that attract community and people setting up things and doing stuff. I don’t want identik boden/range rovers type place or private gated houses.

[800msprint]

@LilyE1234 funny enough we are considering Bristol/Bath as DH from there but it’s so far from my ageing parents plus I’m scared as it will be a massive change 😖

[800msprint]

@reefedsail 😂 ok this is def the sort of intell I need! But so many have recommended Berko! I guess one persons pleasure....I do not want dull defo.

[Guymere]

Buzzy for some would be clubs, pubs, cocktail bars, theatre, concerts, huge choice of restaurants, breakfast spots, markets, and even tatoo bars etc. Not fairly genteel pubs by the canal. I love Berko but it is not buzzy like some cities are.

[SirCloudesley]

Yes what is buzzy? I think Berko is quite buzzy down by the canal with all the pubs on a sunny afternoon but what do I know. Berko voted remain but yes it is Tory.

[Guymere]

I think the op needs to give us a definition of buzzy! Berko isn’t! It is great in many other things and is not far from London. Which part of London does the op need to be in?!

University cities are generally buzzy! Oxford has everything but these cities all have homeless problems. As does London.

[AuntyFungal]

I think Berko or surrounding villages might tick a lot of your boxes. With Buzz comes an element of hassle.

Decent indie shops inc butcher.
Ashridge forest, Ivingoe Beacon & Dunstable Downs on your doorstep.
Canal walks.
Whipsnade Zoo
The Rex indie cinema
Very decent selection of places to eat / drink.

Private & grammar schools

• Preps - Lockers Park, Chesham, Beechwood Park, Westbrook Hay
  
• Through/seniors - Abbott’s Hill, Berko, St Albans (sep girls & boys), Bedford (kids around here either weekly board or get bus/train). Tring performing arts school.
  Eggerton Rothesay - specialist send school.
  
  Villages
  Little Gaddesden - primary school well thought of.
  Aldbury - also has it’s own primary & 2 mins to Tring train station.
  Great Gaddesden - has a primary.
  Nettleden, Frithsden (Alford Arms - pub / rest).
  Ringshall, Ivinghoe & Ashridge
  
  I’ve picked up DH from Chesham ‘tube’ on the odd occasion the trains have been stuffed. Always handy to have a separate line available.