Where would you move to on M40 or M1 between London and Midlands

[Xdecd]

DP and I live in north London but are looking to move as we can't afford the home we want now our family is growing (1 toddler and TTC 2nd), we're squeezed in a cramped 2-bed and won't get anything bigger for our budget.

DP is a Londoner and all his family live here but my family live in are in Manchester and we drive up there regularly, so we're looking along these two motorway routes. We want to be south of Birmingham.

The other big consideration is my DP can't drive due to disability and so we need somewhere that has a good taxi network and a train station - he gets Ubers everywhere in London. I work in Aylesbury but could change jobs so the commute isn't the be all and end all. DP can work anywhere.

We want somewhere fairly diverse (we're a mixed race family), we like good food, culture and parks. Milton Keynes is a possibility although I don't love it there because of the lack of character...any other suggestions?

My initial thought is Oxford but I know it's expensive there, probably not dissimilar to London.

It’s got to be Oxford

You could look at Haddenham or Thame. Between Oxford and Aylesbury, still close to the M40, and there's a train station for London (Haddenham and Thame Parkway).

I used to live in London, and I'm from Manchester originally too, so I know the M40/M6/M56 thrill-ride extremely well!

Oxfordshire is lovely and ideally placed for London and Manchester but other than Oxford public transport is pretty poor. Unless you go somewhere that has a station into Oxford then he can get around oxford easy…
Otherwise somewhere like Bicester maybe?

Why not Birmingham itself?

Leamington.

What's your budget?

Leamington & Oxford are pretty expensive. Leamington is “home” to me, but you’d need to be city centre for good access to things. The new builds around Leamington are cheaper, but have no good public transport.

Oxford has similar issues…

Birmingham might be worth a look, there’s typically things for all budgets there.

I’ve worked in Milton Keynes, it’s well linked up and the people were lovely and welcoming, and it’s pretty affordable. It’s worth considering despite the lack of character…

But really it’ll depend on your budget and what you want to buy.

We did look at Oxford but it's barely cheaper than London!! We'd be limited to the cheaper bits, I don't know if that's a problem, is all of Oxford nice?

Bicester and Haddenham I'll have a look at, thank you.

I used to live in Bicester and found that ideal for travel to London and Manchester. Now in NZ and last time I visited Bicester had really grown into a huge town but looked as though there are lots of new estates and the shopping centre looks to have doubled since I was there.

My husband used to use the train from Bicester to London and found it a very good service.

Good luck in finding somewhere

Solihull is another option.

I am actually considering Birmingham, I just don't know it at all, I've only been once on a work trip. Dp thinks it might be a bit far from his family.

Budget will be about 750k, the dream is good catchments, 4 beds and a garden, but we could compromise.

How about Leicester, slightly north of your target but fits your criteria otherwise - property is fairly reasonable, multi cultural, mini cabs and Uber's are plentiful and super cheap (I didn't bother with the bus often!) to Manchester it's a couple of hours with a train option (change at Sheffield). For your Dh getting to London we used National express Leicester to Golders Green used to be £6

Bicester is great for transport and incredibly good value. You’d get somewhere lovely.
Haddenham/Thame bit nicer but v v v v pricey

You should try Southam, near leamington. Great outstanding school, the budget would get you a lovely place and easy access to m40 and M1. We live in a close village and rural but fairly close to Coventry, Banbury etc

@Xdecd

I am actually considering Birmingham, I just don't know it at all, I've only been once on a work trip. Dp thinks it might be a bit far from his family.

Budget will be about 750k, the dream is good catchments, 4 beds and a garden, but we could compromise.

With this budget Leamington (mentioned earlier) could definitely work for you, it's a lovely town, well connected and close to countryside.

Haddenham/Thame and Southam/Leamington - I've lived in those areas in the past, wouldn't describe them as 'diverse'.

Yes I would agree southam is not particularly diverse but that is changing. What about Coventry, small city with everything that entails so not too different to what you have now.

Would definitely say Leamington is more diverse than surrounding areas, but not as much as I would like it to be (I grew up in London, so pretty hard to measure up in terms of diversity). Yes Coventry could be a good alternative, just need to be a bit careful about areas in terms of school catchments.

If you are looking at Coventry look at finham, Earlston and cheylesmore. They are the 'poshest areas of the city but you should be fine with your budget. You could look at the villages between Coventry and Rugby but public transport is not great.

Earlsdon, not earlston!

Haddenham is a lovely village but not diverse, it's handy for Aylesbury and direct train to London / Birmingham and buses to Oxford so good transport links.

Worth remembering Bucks is an 11+ area. Oxfordshire (especially in the north near Banbury and Bicester) would give you a lot more for your money housewise and the comprehensive school system.

Warwickshire also 11+ but lots of good comps too.

I'd be looking around Bicester for value and rapid London access. Warwickshire fab but the trains are slower.

Solihull would suit, Knowle/Dorridge is also on Chiltern line, outstanding schools and would be in budget. It's very "naice"

Look at the Harborne area of Birmingham.

What about High Wycombe? Although again it’s expensive as close to London.

Marlow is a nice town on the river, Wycombe is more diverse though,both train links to London. Both close to M40 wouldn't be a great route to Aylesbury. All 11+ areas.
How about Amersham to be close to London on underground?