Sorry, another where to live post (nearish London)

[NotThatSocial]

We currently live in Greater London (Gidea Park) but would like to move further out.

We'd really like somewhere with lots going on and a real community feel, but nice countryside on the doorstep too. I don't drive so a big priority for me is having lots in walking distance (good primary and secondary, independent shops & pubs, kids/sport/ outdoor activities and a station or reliable bus route.)

My job is 99% home based but DH needs to go into London on an occasional/sporadic basis and doesn't want to be much more than an hour away. We don't want to go south of the river and massively extend our journey time to visit family up north. So we're thinking Essex/Herts/Cambs probably best.

Ideally we'd like a 4+ bed period semi or detached, but realise we may have to compromise on the house a little to get the kind of area we want. I absolutely don't want to live on a sprawling estate though.

And finally, we want to be well away from flood plains/coastal erosion risk etc.

Budget is £600k, which feels like it should be ample but actually it really doesn't stretch that far in the South East! Am I asking for the moon on a stick?

Anyone?

If you're only needing London occasionally why not go to the southern Midlands? You might get what you want in Warwickshire. Birmingham Intl is great for commuting into London and house prices are more reasonable there. Brum, Oxford etc all handy if you want a big city feel but the countryside is also lovely there.

Stamford might work. It’s 1hr 30 to London as you have to change. It’s a lovely place.

The river that runs along the edge floods but I don’t think any houses are built close enough for that to matter.

I thing you're asking a lot for 600!

I have a friend who lives in Colchester in Essex. She really likes it, says it’s affordable and lots of things to do. Plus some great schools.

@crosshatching

If you're only needing London occasionally why not go to the southern Midlands? You might get what you want in Warwickshire. Birmingham Intl is great for commuting into London and house prices are more reasonable there. Brum, Oxford etc all handy if you want a big city feel but the countryside is also lovely there.

He might have periods of having to go in daily for a week or 2 at a time so he isn't too keen on the prospect of a longer journey (he's spoilt with 45 mins door to door at the moment). But it's a stunning part of the country and looks like we'd get a lot more for our money. So thanks for the idea, it's definitely something to consider.

@MinnieMountain

Stamford might work. It’s 1hr 30 to London as you have to change. It’s a lovely place.

The river that runs along the edge floods but I don’t think any houses are built close enough for that to matter.

I've been through Stamford and remember thinking how pretty it was. I'd forgotten about it so thanks for the reminder. Slightly longer commute than he ideally wants but ticks nearly all the other boxes including being a bit nearer his family up north so could be an option.

@idontlikealdi

I thing you're asking a lot for 600!

I know 🙈 the prices are absolutely shocking. I'm so glad we managed to get on the ladder a few years ago, it's impossible for people now.

If only I drove we could live a bit more in the sticks and our money would go so much further. But I've got major issues with coordination and panic attacks so it'll never happen.

@User135792468

I have a friend who lives in Colchester in Essex. She really likes it, says it’s affordable and lots of things to do. Plus some great schools.

Thanks, we did quite like Colchester when we visited a couple of years ago, I'll investigate that a bit more. I've read that the town centre is really struggling though. But I suppose that's par for the course these days.

North of Oxford, around Kidlington/Long Hanborough, even up to Bicester? It's really easy to get into London via the Chiltern line from Oxford Parkway. Plenty of shops/library/a few pubs and it's a 20-30 minute bus journey into Oxford itself.

You probably wouldn't find a period property in Kidlington itself, more like 1950s/1960s: www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/109453205#/
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/89826706#/

But if you go slightly more rural you could find something more characterful:
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/109852658#/
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/109960421#/floorplan?activePlan=1

I too thought of Colchester, as there is a 1hr fast train into Liverpool st. There was a thread recently about actual localities in Colchester to look at and avoid, but worth looking into. Also, lots of pretty villages in the vicinity if you want a more semi-rural/village lifestyle within an easy commute of Colchester.

I've heard that Tring is very nice.

Milton Keynes? Hour commute to london, can get a lot for money and good shops and schools

Didcot parkway in south Oxfordshire has 45 min commute by train into Paddington. Lots of pretty villages within 3/4 miles of the station if you’re willing to cycle, though public transport isn’t great. Didcot itself has a few period properties but is mostly housing estates. Otherwise there are a few villages on the same train line (but train is slower than from didcot) e.g. cholsey, pangbourne, where you might get a period property for your budget. probably 3 bed though...

Pangbourne is lush - a nice community feel, river walks and its own train station. Much posher than Colchester.
You wouldn’t get a detached house there for 600k I don’t think though.