Commutable distance to London

[IncorrigibleTitmouse]

Hello all

I’m planning a move back to the UK after about 10 years overseas. I’ll be bringing my non-UK spouse with me, who has never lived in the UK but has visited. He really wants to live in London. I’m trying to explain why this is probably out of the question. My salary for my job will be in the range of £40-60k which just isn’t enough to buy a 2 bed anything in London, realistically.

My family is all in a different part of the UK, no interest in living there, but it’s within 100 miles of London anyway so no big deal for occasional visits.

Does anyone have any ideas on places that are within a 30 minute - 1 hour commute to London where we’d be able to buy a 2 bed flat or house in a nice area in the £250-300k range?

Thanks everyone, fantastic suggestions so far. I’m making a list! We may well need to rent first, my inner planner is just trying to spin 82,000 plates. A transatlantic move with a non-Brit is feeling like a big responsibility! He’s very excited, I think I’m worrying for the both of us!