Which town the south-ish should we move?

[swimtree]

We have a budget of about 325k and want to move from Sutton in London to a nice town where there is a sense of community and we could walk to shops/station/school rather than drive everywhere. We are looking for more green space, some cafes and a slightly slower pace than London. We're thinking about Somerset or Oakham but really these are just a bit too far from London but obviously more affordable because of this. Any suggestions for a nice town would be great.

Devizes, Frome, Newbury,

Banbury has good schools, excellent motorway link to Harrow via M40 about 1 hour 5 by car but also can do train well under 2 hours. Access to Oxford and Birmingham and lots of lovely villages and countryside. Also close to Leamington and lots of new house building so big range of properties in your price range and for job opportunities well located for tech and access to good universities in the future. Good and quick train link to Marylebone.

This is an older property that needs a makeover but would be a great project
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-85828393.html

But there are a lot of other properties indoor price range close to bnbury centre or one of the nice villages like Bodicote.

There are quite a few towns with decent communities along the M40 but with decent train links to London. You could look at Thame in Oxfordshire which is far less sprawling than Banbury. It’s not got a direct line to Harrow. Aylesbury and Stoke Mandeville do. The advantage of Thame is Lord Williams School though. I don’t think you need to go as far as Somerset to have a nice life in a town. Thame has everything. I would also suggest Wendover but your money won’t go as far. Plenty going on though and very popular. Winslow will soon be on the re-established Varsity line railway. New secondary school and lots of housing choice. Buckingham also has lots of housing options. Plenty going on and it has a university so it’s quite lively. Brackley in Northants is also worth a look. It’s smaller than Banbury but quite attractive.

Do be aware that any town in Sussex or Surrey or Hampshire will require your to drive around the M25 to get to Harrow. It’s a nightmare at times! Very long traffic jams! You could also look at Hertfordshire. Tring is very pleasant.

Thame and Tring are much less affordable than Banbury though, I think OP would struggle to meet her budget

There are 3 beds in Tring in budget. Maybe not the best of 3 beds but it’s a different environment to Banbury and lots closer to London. Money goes further in Aylesbury. As Thame is a bit further out and doesn’t have the station quite so close, there’s plenty of property in this price range. Village properties are more but Thame is an excellent place to live.

Chippenham in Wiltshire. Easy direct train ride back into London (1hr 15), same line in the opposite direction gets you to Bath in 10 minutes and Bristol in 20. Lots of green spaces (John Coles park is particularly nice). Lacock village a five minute drive away.

Somerset is not too far away to visit if you like the area, but Wiltshire keeps you closer to London.

Secondary schools are regarded as some of the best in the country, Sheldon and Hardenhuish. I almost didn't post on this thread until I read your post about needing a decent secondary school.

£325 will comfortably get you a 3 bed semi. They range between £270k and £400k depending on location and interior.

Happy to chat further if you want to talk in more detail. I'm very familiar with Sutton, having grown up in and relocated from Sutton, so I have a good idea as to where you're coming from.

Grew up in Wimbledon that should have read - distracted by DC.

Is your husband drawn to the art community in Frome too?

I think Hythe/Folkestone should be really worth a look. Probably just about doable in 2h to Harrow. Folkestone is bigger with a thriving art community, Hythe is smaller and completely unspoiled by chains (quite a long high street with lots of independent shops and eateries) and between them, there will be quite a bit happening throughout the year. They’re right next to each other with lovely Sandgate in between. You’d be right between the sea and the gorgeous hills of the Kent Downs AONB. It’s about 50mins from Folkestone West to St Pancras by train and a very easy hop across the channel for Europe.

I see someone above me mentioned Chippenham too and I've just seen your comment about Frome.

I used to work in Frome. Lovely as it is, it is miles away from anything if you want to get anywhere. Just throwing Chippenham in the ring again as it's an hour and 50 to Harrow and about 45 minutes to Frome, so very easy to visit for a few hours, DH and I like the antique shops there. Devizes has a similar vibe, and is about a 25 minute drive away.

I like both towns, but wouldn't move there as like in your OP, I like to be walking distance to a mainline station etc. I also love that I'm a five minute drive from the M4.

@EggyPegg Chippenham sounds brilliantly well positioned!

Which main line stations are super easy to get to Harrow from? I would work out from that mainline station tbh as the getting across London is a pain.

Or if driving head out using the roads that are easy to Harrow.

@snowspider

Banbury has good schools, excellent motorway link to Harrow via M40 about 1 hour 5 by car but also can do train well under 2 hours. Access to Oxford and Birmingham and lots of lovely villages and countryside. Also close to Leamington and lots of new house building so big range of properties in your price range and for job opportunities well located for tech and access to good universities in the future. Good and quick train link to Marylebone.

This is an older property that needs a makeover but would be a great project
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-85828393.html

But there are a lot of other properties indoor price range close to bnbury centre or one of the nice villages like Bodicote.

That property is very close to my home. Nice street 😉😁 However, you would struggle to find a place at a decent secondary school for your son. Wykham Park probably has places, but there's a reason for that... ❌

Sherborne. Mainline train station, 2hrs into London. Very well thought of secondary school (The Gryphon).

Budget will get you a decent 3 bed with an easy walk into town.

Dorchester is also nice and has the advantage of being nearer to the coast. However the high school (Thomas Hardye) starts at Y9, which might or might not suit.

[quote JoJoSM2]@EggyPegg Chippenham sounds brilliantly well positioned![/quote]
It really is. We didn't plan to move here, but ended up slowly migrating from Bath (after relocating from London initially). But I wouldn't move now because it's so well located. There's a lot to be said for being so close to the motorway, and on a main train line and I feel fortunate to have two excellent secondaries on my doorstep. Plus there is a sense of community, which I like.

Leighton Buzzard
Flitwick

@twilightcafe.

I think it looks good for adding value, but then that is what I like doing!

I very much like the kind of fifties style garden and the lack of shiny renovation in the house

[quote snowspider]@twilightcafe.

I think it looks good for adding value, but then that is what I like doing!

I very much like the kind of fifties style garden and the lack of shiny renovation in the house[/quote]
I wasn't being sarky. Bloxham Road is v nice.

@twilightcafe

oh, I didn't think you were!

Some real dives being suggested to you.

Go for Cirencester. Good schools. Outstanding college. Agricultural college. Train station. Stunning countryside. Old rambling town centre. Arts and cafes. Good sports centre and park. Good access to Swindon, bath, oxford Cheltenham.

Also Harrow would be about an hour and 45 minutes

Lovely safe town for growing kids

But just 45 mins from Aylesbury! That’s the main line you need. The Chiltern Line.

There are a lot of very nice little towns near Bath, some with good secondary schools. Nearer London than Somerset, good rail and road links but you might struggle with your budget?

Some real dives being suggested to you.

Care to elaborate @Porridgeoat