Moving out of London

[Gg5092]

Hello!
We are currently selling our 2 bed flat in London and DH and I can’t agree on where to move to. I really want to leave London and move out to Surrey (DH will commute to London once lockdown is over). He wants to stay in the area so that he can be home for our 4 month old DS. What areas are nice in Surrey? Are there any with 30 minute or less commutes into London? We are trying to find a compromise so any advice welcome! Thanks

I am a commuter (or used to be before the lockdown ) from Espom to the Bank-ish area (Houndsditch and then Ropemaker). Central Epsom is great because the station is IN the middle of town, pretty much bang on the High St (so many suburban towns have stations on the outskirts, in the middle of nowhere ) and has frequent direct services to Waterloo, Victoria, and LBG (e.g. Waterloo trains run every 15 mins during the rush hour). If your DH has to commute to Bank, looks like he'd have to go to Waterloo and then use the Drain. May sound daunting, but hear me out. Direct train to 'loo, then QUICK change to the Drain. The Drain is super busy during the rush hour BUT it's a "shuttle" line, which means that trains arrive EMPTY each time, so with a bit of patience and planning, one can always grab a seat, and, with a philosophical take on life, feel content about it (I know, it's prob stretching too far ). I'm not advocating it's ideal, but a SINGLE change between the train and tube takes away a lot of brain stress.

But, as PPs said, DO consider time to-from station. Before we moved, I was lucky to have a 10-minute walk from home to the station but my commute was still at least ~ 1hr 10min door-to-desk each way, which is considerably longer than your criteria. Also, we didn't live in the best part of town (it was by no means dangerous or bad, just not an eye candy) but there are plenty of prettier areas in Epsom that are within the same walking distance from the station, and, of course, there are lovely areas further away from the town centre, like elsewhere. Also, bear in mind that Epsom is outside a designated travel zone (you can use an Oyster card but it's just for convenience, there are no savings), so train fares are relatively high.

But all that said, for £800K you can bag a brilliant family house, and on top of that there are very good schools in the area. Have a look at College Area as @Movinghouseatlast suggested, or towards the west of town near the Epsom Common, or towards south near Woodcote area.

Fast train Surbiton to London Waterloo 15 mins.

I think it’s a bit harsh to call the OP selfish. There are plenty of benefits and good reasons to move out of London and some people don’t mind the commute everyday so they can have the lifestyle they want.

Having said that there are also lots of benefits of staying in London, even if you live to the outer boroughs.

Don’t underestimate the impact commuting can have. I did it when I went to uni and I was absolutely knackered everyday. If the person doing it doesn’t see the benefits of living outside London it could lead to resentment.

Will you be a SAHM Op? You could be doing all drop offs and pick ups and bed time by yourself. As well as having time to spend with baby he may not be able to do those parts of parenting if he has to commute.

I lived in Beckenham, PP has already mentioned it. Its Zone 4 on the mainline, you can get to Canary Wharf, City, London Bridge and Charing Cross easily. Its leafy and feels suburban but my commute was 40mins door to door including walking to the station. New Beckenham area is nice although Beckenham Junction has the shops closer by.

Horsell is a village suburb of woking. It’s got a lovely community feel, little high street, good schools and great pubs. Also the added bonus of being walking distance to the train station which has fast and very regular trains. Houses are expensive compared to the wider area, but there is a good range of styles and you would be able to afford a detached house for your budget.

DD1 and her family live in Redhill and like it very much. When not in lockdown she also has to get to the City and although the journey on Southern is fast most days (when they aren't striking) she is still pretty knackered by the time she gets home. I feel for your husband.

Why do you need to move from your present home in Southfields? Wimbledon Park would be better than moving out I would think as it's just down the road from where you are now.

@NoIdeasForWittyNickname

I am a commuter (or used to be before the lockdown ) from Espom to the Bank-ish area (Houndsditch and then Ropemaker). Central Epsom is great because the station is IN the middle of town, pretty much bang on the High St (so many suburban towns have stations on the outskirts, in the middle of nowhere ) and has frequent direct services to Waterloo, Victoria, and LBG (e.g. Waterloo trains run every 15 mins during the rush hour). If your DH has to commute to Bank, looks like he'd have to go to Waterloo and then use the Drain. May sound daunting, but hear me out. Direct train to 'loo, then QUICK change to the Drain. The Drain is super busy during the rush hour BUT it's a "shuttle" line, which means that trains arrive EMPTY each time, so with a bit of patience and planning, one can always grab a seat, and, with a philosophical take on life, feel content about it (I know, it's prob stretching too far ). I'm not advocating it's ideal, but a SINGLE change between the train and tube takes away a lot of brain stress.

But, as PPs said, DO consider time to-from station. Before we moved, I was lucky to have a 10-minute walk from home to the station but my commute was still at least ~ 1hr 10min door-to-desk each way, which is considerably longer than your criteria. Also, we didn't live in the best part of town (it was by no means dangerous or bad, just not an eye candy) but there are plenty of prettier areas in Epsom that are within the same walking distance from the station, and, of course, there are lovely areas further away from the town centre, like elsewhere. Also, bear in mind that Epsom is outside a designated travel zone (you can use an Oyster card but it's just for convenience, there are no savings), so train fares are relatively high.

But all that said, for £800K you can bag a brilliant family house, and on top of that there are very good schools in the area. Have a look at College Area as @Movinghouseatlast suggested, or towards the west of town near the Epsom Common, or towards south near Woodcote area.

I have googled but can't seem to find out what the Drain is?

The direct underground line between Waterloo and Bank.

@romatheroamer

The direct underground line between Waterloo and Bank.

The Waterloo & City line?

As a lifelong Londoner, I'm surprised I've not heard that before.

I think Surbiton is a good call. The train is fast and you could get a decent 3 bed house for 800ish. This one is right near the station and the river and is on at less than 800. www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/73667097#/

Oops, sorry, above link is Tolworth borders, not near the station. This is the one by the station, on at 765. www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/102074174#/

Surbiton is good because it’s also right next to Kingston for shopping.

@LunaHeather ah sorry, yep Drain = Waterloo & City line; everybody in our office calls it that, maybe it's our weird team speak? I used to think it's because when you look at the entrance from Waterloo side during morning rush hour (well, back in pre-covid days), it looked like the crowed was being sucked down a giant drain; but I've just googled it now and come across this bit of trivia: "It’s known to its drivers as the Drain, owing to the leakiness of its tunnels under the Thames. The water has to be continually pumped out."

It has always been known as The Drain! But maybe it is only people who actually use it that call it that.

I've seen it on Wiki now

I use it but not for work. Maybe that's linked!

I sympathise with your DH - of course he would rafter spend time with his child than commuting to his job to pay for it all!

www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/57256229?search_identifier=6e434655e97e5b5830ce684d1125b1cc

Great schools nearby, West Norwood has a great family network, the Feast (farmers market and street stall fair, crafts, etc) every month, a good PIcturehouse cinema, pool, great transport links. 3 Beds, off street parking, garden and home office studio outside! Good park up the road.

Wimbledon to the City is quite a long commute already. Can you move somewhere further east which would give you the more villagey life you want while not adding to the length of his commute ?

If he's in construction then his job could move, personally I would look at locations on the Brighton and thameslink lines (via London Bridge) to maximise convenience assuming he travels by train, or Waterloo line is another possibility but limits if he ends up moving job location.

I agree with looking in SE London - you will get more for your money especially if you’re willing to consider the less gentrified parts, and the commute to Bank/London Bridge/city of London is quicker. The Drain is awful. Also look near Thameslink stations.

Yes, Thameslink is why I was suggesting West Norwood

www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/54464289?search_identifier=6e434655e97e5b5830ce684d1125b1cc

Er, Duh to self - West Norwood isn't on Thameslink

But does have a good rail link to London Bridge, and an express bus service to Bank.

Haha - the drain is definitely a common term for the Waterloo and city line... it drains the city to surrey and even looks like on the map.

I’d be careful what the difference in travel costs are. By moving to zone 3 rather than 6 we allowed ourselves a more expensive house as part of the travel differential can go on the mortgage and therefore some becomes equity.

(We bought well within our affordability).

How funny, I didn't know it was known as the Drain! used to take it a few years ago.

West Norwood is not on the Thameslink but most of it is a walk or very quick bus ride from Tulse Hill which is. I second the idea of looking along the lower bits of the Thameslink, it is super convenient for getting right into the city so could be better for DH keeping his commute flexible. People do have mixed views on its reliability though.

Advice on an electrician & painter/decorator in Leatherhead area...any suggestions?

I've lived in Surrey and worked in London for a long time.

The only real issues you face are:

• All lines tend to lead to Waterloo and nowhere else - not really a problem for the City as you can get the Waterloo & City and be there in 5 mins, but worth knowing it's not direct.

• Some lines are far superior for others and it's worth researching. Eg some places closer into London can take 1hr + to get into Waterloo (eg. Chertsey, Addlestone, Virginia Water), whereas further out towns can have better lines with faster trains and more connections but cost more for the ticket (eg. Woking, Hersham, Leatherhead, Dorking etc)

You have a good house budget though and don't think you'd have trouble getting something nice in most areas of Surrey.

What about the towns that have lines that go into Victoria or London Bridge? There are lots that go to those places in between 20 mins and just under an hour.