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!

[blackice]

Laughing at the idea that Berkhampstead could be considered buzzy

[TriSarahTops]

You’d get a lot of house for your budget in Bedford - which has a number of private schools. There are 2 main parks (Bedford Park and Russell Park) and the Embankment near the town centre. Plus a country park a little further out. You have 2 lines running into London (Thameslink and East Midlands). It’s perfectly possible to go in for an evening out and still get back home.

If you want to be in town, the look around Castle Road or in the area bounded by De Parys Avenue, Kimbolton Road and Park Avenue. If you prefer a village, then maybe look at Biddenham (still close to the station).

[TriSarahTops]

(Bedford has a Labour MP and a LibDem Mayor)

[Guymere]

“Buzzy” really equals Oxford, Cambridge or Bristol. It’s the universities that make it this way. Brighton would be worth a look. In normal times Southern Rail is dire though.

I like Berko, St Albans and Harpenden but agree they are not buzzy in a cosmopolitan way. Essex doesn’t really have that feel either. I agree though that you don’t want to be getting a train to Paddington or Liverpool St if your job is the opposite end of town!

[Fizbosshoes]

Laughing at the idea that Berkhampstead could be considered buzzy

I was thinking the same!

[Lobsterquadrille2]

Tunbridge Wells is less Tory than it used to be, and we voted Remain (55% I think). I grew up here, worked abroad for many years and came back. Lovely countryside, good schools, less than an hour to London.

[dalrympy]

You don't get much more "buzzy" than Brighton and there are plenty of houses for your budget and decent-ish schools.

With the buzz does come some slightly less attractive traits but I actually don't see how you can have one without the other.

The very fact that it's accepting and hippy means homelessness and street issues can be high.

That said, I've never felt unsafe.

[Niceproblemtohave]

How about Windsor? River Thames, Dorney Lake and Windsor Great Park all on your doorstep.

[vizlsapup]

@FurierTransform Yes and in all the Tory towns like Horsham you will find cocaine is ride behind closed doors.

[vizlsapup]

rife

[CatAndHisKit]

I wouldn't call Lewes or Sevenoaks 'buzzy'! you can find your bubbles / groups where you fit in which takes time and effort, but they aer not buzzy in vibe just as they are.

Bristol is good, more chilled out kind of buzz, in the right places. Brighton too buzzy for many , I like Hove to retreat to somewhat when I stay.
Cambridge is nice but coutryside quite flat around, depends wht you like. good for cyclists!

[Gothamgirl1970]

Wanstead the upmaket Hackney Stokey

[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.

[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.

[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]

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.

[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.

[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]

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.

[SirCloudesley]

Everywhere seems a bit dull atm due to Covid 🙁

[PumpkinsPatch]

Reigate or Oxted maybe worth checking out too.

[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...

[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.