Where to live in Buckinghamshire for Grammar or Independent secondary school

[movingToBuckinghamshire]

We have decided to sell our apartment in west London and move to Buckinghamshire. We are looking to buy a house there but don’t mind renting initially till suitable property is found. The reason we have chosen Buckinghamshire (other option was Guildford) is because DD is already preparing for grammar school. We are currently in the outer catchment of Tiffins girls but even if she gets into tiffin, with our budget of 700-750K, we will have less options to buy in Kingston compared to in Bucks.

Me and my partner needs to travel to London twice a week only, hence it makes sense to move out of London and get more for the money.

With our lifestyle, we often visit different parks (Richmond park, Kew gardens, Chiswick House Park etc) and used to have shops around. I dont expect same level of livelihood but hope there will be some good places to visit over weekends, to go for cycling/ running etc.

So I would really appreciate if you advise me on,

1. Which Grammar schools can we consider for our DD? If DD doesnt get in Grammar, we would like to have an option of independent secondary.
2. Which area can we consider to buy a house (for the school you have suggested)? We will look for 3-4 bed with a good size garden. Budget is 700-750k.
3. Which area to rent into till we find suitable property?

The only place we visited in Buckinghamshire so far was Marlow which was lovely and expect other areas of Bucks will be similar.

Tring (which has a station for commuting to Euston) is in Hertfordshire, but there are villages very near by that station that are Bucks - for Aylesbury High. For instance, Marsworth or Pitstone. Pitstone itself is a bit run down but there’s a new development right on the way to tring station which I think is Bucks

Cheddington which has a station itself is in Bucks I think despite Bedfordshire post code.

Oh just seen your update! Wendover is very nice - I’ve been there lots of times as it’s near my parents (I went to school in Herts though 😄 as my parents wanted a church school)

Thoughts on Great Missenden? It's about 35mins to Marylebone, houses prices not bad and in catchment for Grammars. It seemed very quiet though.

Check the route of HS2 if you’re looking at Great Missenden. If you find a property that seems excellent value, this might be the reason.

Halemere next to High Wycombe might do it. 3 grammars (2 boys, 1 girls) within 3 and a bit miles. Wycombe, Amersham and Beaconsfield stations within a short drive.

Marlow is stupidly expensive, has a rubbish train line and the traffic is nightmarish.

Oops, Hazlemere not Halemere.

@Scottishgirl85 Wendover is so cute to drive through at Christmas time, love the lights! One of my children was in Stoke Mandeville hospital for weeks around Christmas so I’d often drive home through Wendover just to look at the lights.
I want to visit the little chocolate shop too.