Areas in outer W London /Berks/ Surrey

[Member589500]

Currently in a dither about areas to look for my next move.
Am getting divorced and selling in Twickenham area and won’t be able to afford anything near my current place. Looking for thoughts on Sunbury, Ashford, Staines.
Budget around 500. Need 3 beds. Unless I can find something with 2 receptions and use one as a bedroom.
I have 3 DS 17-22 all students so need to accommodate them for a few more years as they come and go from uni and start to earn enough to become independent. I think that’s about 27 in London!
DH is retiring soon and will be moving to Berkshire. Probably Reading end as he doesn’t need to commute and will get more for his money. He is looking for a modern 2 bed apartment. He would love to have them so that’s not an issue but I think they’ll want to stay together and with me. (Plus I kind of love them )
It’s so expensive to move I need to get it right!
My boys would prefer to stay where we are as their friends are here and same goes for me so I need to be on train line to Twickenham.
I’d like somewhere I can go for long walks. Definitely need a garden. Won’t have the time or energy for a lot of renovation.
I’ll probably be working for another 10 years. Currently drive to the office in Hayes (near Heathrow). Could easily transfer to the other London office but it’s South Central London so wouldn’t gain anything by moving closer - but I do go there every few weeks on the train.
So, budget 500 max for a 3 bed easy maintenance place in a pleasant area and near the Waterloo train line.
The places in the title look like possibles. Especially Staines.
But dithering - as I could maybe get a 2 bed place and cope for a few years with the twin boys in one room, the other at his dad’s mainly or on a sofa bed.
I think they’re more likely to want to be in Richmond too when they find jobs. And it’s my home and I love it here and all my friends are here.
Whitton or Hampton nearby would be perfect but what I need is 550+.
Thoughts on Staines? Have considered renting while I dither but need 1600 pcm at least which I can’t afford from salary alone and the double moving might kill me!

Have you thought about Henley on Thames? Lovely location in the Chilterns and on the Thames. I think it would tick most of your boxes. Train station with direct trains to Paddington and for Reading to get the Waterloo line.
Plenty of restaurants and cafes, theatre, cinema, leisure centre.
It’s reputation for being expensive is not entirely fair, there is affordable housing especially if you are moving from London.
There are for example 3 or 4 bed 50s ex-council houses 15 minutes walk to station in your price bracket.
Victorian terraces is another alternative, usually even more central.

You guys are amazing. I really appreciate ALL these responses. Have spent ages looking at maps and the links.
Day off today and sun shining so I drove around Whitton, Staines, Sunbury and Ashford (house hunting allowed and I stayed in car )
Still love Whitton. It just works for the boys and the commute and seeing all my friends and visiting ‘my’ parks. I am thinking I can get a part interest only deal on the mortgage and I can do it. I have about 450 to put down. Then I can go to 550 and get a small tidy semi. Then sell up when I retire.
Didn’t like Staines.
Ashford seemed a bit lacking a centre as PP said.
LOVED Sunbury. Lower bit. Just lovely. I really walk a lot and it was so pretty by the river. Transport not so great when I look into it though.
I know Egham quite well and have always disliked it. Not looking any further away from our current place than I need to. Friends are important for all 4 of us and I am too bloody old to start again!
Having done all this thinking I’ve decided I’d rather be poor and support the boys by staying in the TFL zone and still be able to see my friends.
Whitton it is! If I can find something when I’m ready. Wish me luck and thank you all again. I read every post carefully.

Good luck, OP!!

That's great news @Member589500, just making a decision brings so much relief IME and you sound so positive.

Good luck

Whitton is a good shout OP. It's quiet, the roads are spacious and green areas easily accessible, plus it's still reasonably close to Twickenham. Being in the London train zones is a big plus, AND there's no plane noise.

Good luck with your search!

Thanks all. I can’t believe how much effort you’ve all put in to advise a stranger. Could you tell I’m a bit overwhelmed. Lots going on I can’t even begin to talk about and choosing an area let alone a house is so stressful when I won’t be able to do it again for ten years.
Well, unless one of my lovely boys gets a good job and helps out!
I feel I was being too cautious not looking further out but now feel happier knowing I have a plan. I know I am lucky to be able to house my family in a decent area very close to our old place.
Going on market soon and then can move as soon as we sell and exam season is over. Estate agent thinks we will sell quickly so that’s good. And I have lots of strong helpers