Want to leave London, have no idea where to go!

[Buggritbuggrit]

We’re looking to move out of London, like everyone else. The issue is that we have no idea where. Neither of us is English, and we’ve never lived anywhere in England that wasn’t London. Please help!

We’re an interracial couple, so would ideally like somewhere with some racial diversity where neither we nor our kids were unusual.

DP loves the great outdoors and I love the hustle and bustle of Islington. We’d ideally like somewhere with both of those things, decent schools, house prices that aren’t insane and a manageable commute into London.

Apart from those criteria (and I have no idea if any of that is reasonable), we’d be happy with anywhere in the South East. Budget is about £600K. If anyone has any recommendations, I’d love to hear them.

@YukoandHiro Ha! Don’t be sorry! I’d quite happily move to Richmond, but our bank accounts say no!

@TedMullins I actually know quite a few people who have moved to Tooting (for all those reasons), so that’s a good shout.

@LitCrit Walthamstow is on our ‘if we stay in London’ list.

I think for your budget you'll need to give up on the buzz element. You'll only get that in central London sadly. Ealing central has a bit of a buzz and is very diverse but you won't get a 3 bed house for that budget but you can get a 3 bed flat. Otherwise look further out like Harrow or Hillingdon which is west and towards Heathrow. You'll get lots of open spaces . Pinner and Eastcoat will give you a wide mix of high street shops and ethnically diverse restaurants and school. It's mostly south Asian in those areas when it comes to diversity.

@Freyaismyname Crawley looks rather nice. Thank you.

Reading is really diverse and you could get something decent for £600k. Very fast links to London Paddington and is at the end of the Elizabeth Line (crossrail). There's loads of arts and culture here and vey easy access to the countryside, and nature spots by the Thames and the Kennet rivers. Very popular with commuters.

@Buggritbuggrit Walthamstow is great - we moved there from Stokey to get a house but that was a good few years ago and I do think you'd be hard pressed on your budget now. Leyton or Highams Park are more affordable but do lack that buzz. I'd personally go for Leyton over HP, not as near the forest but better cafes etc.

What about Kent? Or if you can go further afield Bristol? Fast train to London so potentially commutable if you only need to do one or two days a week.

[quote Buggritbuggrit]@AOwlAOwlAOwl I know nothing about Northampton, but your comment made me CACKLE! Was worried I’d wake everyone up!

@Blyatiful I’m now intrigued by a place that provokes such mixed reactions! 😂[/quote]
I grew up there - it's very old fashioned and run down in the centre. Some of the rural parts are lovely, but totally inconvenient for a London commute and definitely not what you're looking for! I'm glad it made you laugh though

I think buzz you can get in Brighton but it’s actually not that ethnically diverse- lots of nice coastal towns around that you could get a nice place for 600k and still get into London or pop over to Brighton for activities.

I’m currently looking at East Sussex/Eastbourne or Worthing as I was at university in Brighton so know and love the coastal parts. It would be nice to have more mixed couples as I’m part of one too!

Oh to add for diversity there is no place like London except Birmingham, second city which is very diverse, cheaper but up and coming in May areas so house prices are likely going to rocket because of Hs2 and commonwealth games bringing investment to the area. There are some good country parks and great restaurants for evening pursuits. Areas most coveted include Harbourne, parts of Edgbaston, Moseley, Sutton Coldfield, Solihull (none of which are cheap!) and many up and coming too.

Bedford is very diverse and if private education is important, a good bet. But buzzy it ain't.

@Buggritbuggrit where did your choose? We're having the same discussion now