Can anyone help me figure out what to do? First time buyer (solo)

[Pixysmoke]

Hi all,

Feeling quite sad and alone with this and I've spent the last 4 hours on Rightmove, so I could really use some help.

I'm 36 (F) have spent my life renting or living with partners. Now that I'm single I'd like to buy my own place so that I have some kind of security and don't end up relying on relationships to put a roof over my head.
I earn around £33,000 pa before tax, and my work is very attached to London (I will need to go into the capital around twice a week and work from home the rest of the time). I think I can borrow around £150k, and I can scrape together a £30k deposit. That gives me around £180k to buy a place. Obviously I can't afford anywhere in London, so I'm looking at places like Reading, High Wycombe, Luton etc as they're close to London so I could commute in a couple of days of week. The monthly repayments would be around £580 which is very affordable as my monthly income is over £2,000. But I can't seem to find anything vaguely decent for £180k?? Just looking for a 1 bed flat that feels okay to live in for 5 years. I'd like it to feel safe as I'm a single woman, and to be not too far from a train station.
I've looked at shared ownership but I'm a bit put off by how complicated it seems to re-sell and the thought of expensive service charges. I would consider buying 'up north' but I don't know anyone there and the type of work I do can't easily be found outside of London. Can anyone provide any advice or ideas for what to do?
Feeling very down in the dumps!

Was going to suggest Flitwick as well.

What about Leighton Buzzard? Not too long to commute into London. You could get 2 bed with a garage. www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/90650929#/

(I live in Milton Keynes which would also have options, but is a little further out and more expensive to be by the station).

Have you thought about Peterborough/Cambridgeshire in general.

Very commutable into London and your budget will stretch so much further

Would you consider Southend?

A friend in a similar situation recently bought a lovely 2 bed flat there for £170. I know it has a certain reputation, but I like it and could happily live there.

As others have said, I’d be looking further than 40 miles from London. Anywhere on the Birmingham to Euston line should be doable, and ditto the Birmingham to Marylebone line. From New Street you can be at Euston in 90 minutes.

But sympathies to you as a single woman. It’s tough.

Good luck!

Please avoid Crawley. It's a shithole - prices are low for a reason.

I live in Stroud, a lot if people who live here have moved here from London. There's a direct train to Paddington that takes about 1.5 hours, might be worth a look! It's quite artsy and alternative so it depends what you're looking for but you get quite a lot for your money and for a fairly lively town you have the countryside on your doorstep.

Basingstoke? It’s less than an hour into Waterloo and not a bad place. Loads of flats under £180k from a quick search.

But sympathies to you as a single woman. It’s tough

I loved buying as a single woman, no compromise or mess. God, I miss those days.

squashyhat Crawley is a big place, where I live is fabulous. I have The Worth Way literally at the bottom of my road which is perfect for long walks cycling and I’m a member of a beautiful spa in a five star hotel which I can walk to.
It’s perfect for driving to the coast or getting a fast train into London. There are some very good state and independent schools and a wide range of amenities nearby.

How about Didcot? Easy links to London and not too close to family but not opposite direction either.

I loved buying as a single woman, no compromise or mess

Except only one salary, and I had idiot estate agents who insisted on showing me tiny houses, when I specifically asked to be shown 4 bedroom places. One of them looked at me and said "But what do you want all that space for?"

He didn't get my business.

I was buying outside of London at about double the OP's budget, But it was still annoying.

Another person suggesting Southend - 2 train lines into London so a back up way home for your regular line if there are problems.

Stafford is lovely and I would choose that over Southend