If you had £800k - £900k to buy a house where would you buy?

[GreenGarden22]

I've been WFH for a year due to lockdown, as has my DH. Jobs are both in Secure sectors and as stable as can be without a crystal ball. WFH could be possible for both of us permanently.

Currently live in Surrey which is mega expensive so we are in a 3 bed semi. It's nice enough and we have a ground floor extension so a large kitchen diner. But it feels a bit squashed with 2 young children who are growing rapidly.

We are now thinking of moving but can't get much more bang for our buck if we stay local. So we are looking at relocating!

Our budget is £800k ish with some left for decorating and / or renovating.. Could push for £900k if needed but wouldn't have much (if any) left over for renovations.

We need:

• 4 double bedrooms

-Medium - large garden.

• Quiet ish road
• Walking distance to local shops
• Parking for 2 cars.
• Local schools - kids currently at primary but secondary is most important. Would only move to areas with great secondary state schools.
• local kid's sports clubs like swimming & tennis.

Apart from that, we are open to suggestions so please fire away with your inspiration!

@hernamewasrio you may be right. I must admit I’d have reservations politically and the guns worry me. My family members have been there around 4 years now and just love it. They have a big house in a great area, kids are thriving in brilliant schools with loads of activities, have a great social life. The weather is ace...and they absolutely wear masks (my family members that is).

Everyone else I know from the UK who has moved over has stayed and have no plans to return so far. It would be a tempting prospect, but I realise my only experience is visiting for holidays.

@Spanglybangles we lived in Atlanta for 20 years and returned in 2018. It's not the same country it used to be. It's terrifying actually how much hate exists. The weather was good but in all honesty the heat is pretty restrictive in the summer months. I like my seasons back here.

I'd use the money to buy in Yorkshire, close to Leeds but maybe around Skipton or Ilkley. The best of both worlds- incredible countryside and proximity to Leeds and Manchester.

Sheffield?
www.rightmove.co.uk/property/89887117

Ilkley is gorgeous and close to Leeds - best of both worlds

2 Victoria Avenue, ILKLEY
www.rightmove.co.uk/property/78532701

Go over the border to West Sussex. Some great homes in Horsham for example

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/78658557#/

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/90071986#/

Do you have any limitations in terms of commute? I'm from Northumberland and miss it terribly, so echo all the Northumberland recommendations. Another lovely county (but very different) is Suffolk. Frankly, with that money you could get an amazing large house in most parts of the country outside the south east.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/find.html?locationIdentifier=REGION%5E550&insId=1&minPrice=600000&maxPrice=800000&minBedrooms=4&includeSSTC=true&_includeSSTC=on&googleAnalyticsChannel=buying

Loads of options in Glasgow suburbs. Like a PP said, Newton Mearns/Whitecraigs/Giffnock etc are in the catchment area for 3 of the top 4 state schools in Scotland. Bearsden/Milngavie at the other side of the city also have excellent state schools.

I grew up in one of those areas but moved elsewhere to get a better house for my money and am planning to pay for private secondary school instead which then means you're less restricted to
East Ren/East Dunbartonshire.

Sorry, that link didn't work properly as it's taken all the filters away 🤦🏼‍♀️

Look at South Oxfordshire, West Berkshire and North Hampshire, all quite expensive areas but well located and you can get get some nice properties for your budget without having to relocate to the other end of the country!

Most of the country. £600K buys a 4 bed detached on 1/4 acre in much of the country. The "great state schools" is more subjective because in many areas everyone attends the local one. My kids school got 7 into oxbridge last year but is rated good (not outstanding)

Exeter is good. Most places walkable/bike-able in to town, good schools and your budget would go a fair way. www.primelocation.com/new-homes/details/58026774/?search_identifier=d958af80e2181efead0b7e7bb8b7ab34

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/104371166#/

The crucial issue is whether you need access to London for meetings etc, if so the east mids is your best bet because at a pinch you can commute as needed, means
you have options

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/99527183#/

I’ve lived here my whole life so I’m biased but Shrewsbury is lovely.

A large town with everything you need, beautiful mediaeval architecture in the town centre, loads of great independent shops, great pubs and restaurants and a stones throw from the most glorious countryside. Easy access to Manchester and Birmingham by train.

This is what you get in West Somerset...
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/78882993#/

What about Cornwall

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/104167745#/

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/78516897#/media?activePlan=1

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/72081765#/

Have a look at Henley on Thames in South Oxfordshire, you will be able to get something here. It’s a buzzing small town, great for families, good state schools, sports clubs, restaurants, independent shops, direct trains to london. Beautiful country side and the river to swim in.

Cheshire / South Manchester which is practically the Surrey of the North. Here's just one example in Bramhall. Lovely village community, great local schools.
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-89217505.html

For your budget in my area:

Colwall Green, Malvern, WR13 6DX
www.rightmove.co.uk/property/89682610

224 Wells Road, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 4HD.
www.rightmove.co.uk/property/99527183

Grit Lane, Malvern, WR14 1UR
www.rightmove.co.uk/property/78946245

Guarlford Road, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14
www.rightmove.co.uk/property/104371166

We bought in Folkestone from London with a similar budget and a young family and haven’t looked back. Absolutely love it. Raising children by the sea is joyous!

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/103882442#/
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/73178793#/
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/86659354#/
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/92864573#/
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/99952184#/

I’d go for Ludlow, Ross on Wye, or Hay on Wye. Fantastic countryside and beautiful houses. Not sure about schools but everything else is great.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/80180221#/

Cheshire

Within 5 miles of my house?

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/85274560

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/77659498