Greater London - SW

[kirinm]

We are hoping to put our place on the market shortly. We are based in SE London. We really aren't sure where to look. We may stay around where we are as we do really like it but we are considering moving further out. I'm not convinced we can buy something huge anywhere else but we need to look.

I am going to be working in the City again once WFH stops and so I don't want a massive commute. I guess a 30-45 minute journey to Waterloo wouldn't be too bad although it is far longer than I'd really want. I often work late (ish) and wouldn't get home to see my DD before bed if I worked any later than 6:30pm.

We will be looking for a family friendly area, somewhere with quiet roads (we live near a really busy road and hate it), good primary schools and a decent train line to the City. I think we will have around £750k. Ideally we would like a small house but I think we have to be realistic and be prepared for something smaller.

I'm thinking of places around Kingston. I like Surbiton but it is really expensive. Do not want to go as far as Hampton. I've no idea where to start even thinking about looking. Does anyone have any recommendations?

@TedMullins

“Just up your budget” is a stupid suggestion, if they had more money they wouldn’t have that budget would they?

I second tooting, furzedown or streatham. The Thameslink from tooting station goes straight to London Bridge in 25 mins. You’d get a big house for that budget

Never heard of Furzedown. I'll have a look. I will also look at Streatham, it is somewhere that I'd thought about.

Work wise, I'm assuming I'll be in at least 3 days a week. Family / friends - tbh it's more likely help with wrap around childcare and making sure cousins know each other following the death of a parent. Neither of us are sure about moving out of London yet so I think the area would have to feel right for us to consider it.

It is depressing looking at house prices! I obviously know they're really high but you hope that by zone 4-5 you can upgrade from a flat!

You could consider W7/13 (Hanwell, West Ealing, and Northfields) which will have direct trains to Farringdon/Liverpool Street when Crossrail is fully open. Lovely Victorian/Edwardian terraced houses, quiet streets (LTNs!), and lots of green space which has kept me sane over the past year.

Other bonus of Furzedown is you have the overground at Tooting, and the Northern Line at Tooting Bec/Broadway both within reasonable distance. Plus the houses in Furzedown often have good sized gardens (compared with the terraced housing stock down the hill towards Tooting Broadway).

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/89749885#/
North Kingston would suit you I think. This house is close to Norbiton station, which goes to Waterloo via clapham junction. The road is off a main road but quiet itself. There are a couple of great primaries near (literally at the end of the road if you dont mind that!!). The house itself is small but probably a better option than some slightly larger options around your budget which are a lot further from the station. The housing stock in this part of kingston is mostly victorian, and prices go from around 700k to about 1mill for a semi. I've been in north kingston for in 3 different properties and the values only seem to go up...

Kingston is a fabulous family place to live. It really has got everything going for it.

Is there any way you can renegotiate your work situation to allow flexible hours/ part time WFH, or look to move to a company that embraces such things?

Your commute constraint is a real killer & massively compromises you options/ other aspects of life

This is within catchment for great primary and secondary schools
ww2.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/57972221/?search_identifier=e019ad7128a32ba1d7d9ecc908b90575 And there is an express bus to the City from West Norwood and Thameslink or London Bridge from Tulse Hill. West Norwood has the ‘Feast’ every month, and a Picturehouse cinema. Streatham M&S and new theatre within walking distance.

www.zoopla.co.uk/new-homes/details/57953086/?search_identifier=e019ad7128a32ba1d7d9ecc908b90575

This is in a lovely group of streets, great community network, lovely local park, choice of excellent primaries, outstanding secondary, easy walk to Tulse Hill, Streatham Hill stations, or for quick bus to the tube at Brixton ww2.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/57429108/