Coming back to the U.K.? Where to live?

[backtoblighty21]

After a few years abroad it seems we are coming back to the U.K. and we have no idea where to live anymore. We own a flat in London which is now too small for a family, plus not in catchment area of ANY primary schools, so we've decided to sell and find another area. Family is all over so not a consideration.

Neither of us will be tied to jobs initially but a good (30-40mins) commute to Kings Cross would be helpful if we do end back in London jobs.

Our budget would be c.800k, 3 bedrooms, some outside space and in /near reasonably busy-ish area, plus good/excellent state primaries. Near good country walks but not too rural.

We've been thinking Cambridge but the commute wouldn't be great. I didn't like St Albans, when we visited pre Covid, I know nothing of the Essex villages so don't even know where to start! Just feels like we go round and round in circles and will likely end up cramped in a too small flat because we can't decide where to go! Flat is on the market but sold yet which doesn't help firm up the budget, but hopefully by the end of the year we'll have sold.

Leytonstone particularly Bushwood and Wanstead areas are really good value and getting incredibly in demand. But things are selling very quickly.
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/112917182#/?channel=RES_BUY

We have friends who bought there because of the schools.

Places on HS1. Folkestone or villages around.

If you’re ready to make the leap out of London, Hitchin in Hertfordshire is where I would have bought with that kind of budget - or maybe Harpenden. Also look at Knebworth, Baldock and Letchworth depending on whether you want a village/small town/bigger town.

If you want to commute easily to Kings Cross, Essex wouldn’t be my first choice. You could look at East Herts (Bishops Stortford) or other areas on the train line from Cambridge to Liverpool Street (you can change at Tottenham Hale for the Victoria Line). But Hitchin or Knebworth would be an easier commute.

If you want to stay in London, I’d look at Highams Park (overground to Walthamstow Central and Liverpool Street).

@DappledThings

Places on HS1. Folkestone or villages around.

Second this. We moved back from five years overseas and after a six month search chose Folkestone. Fantastic place to raise a family and we love it. Your budget will easily get you a lovely house, possibly with a sea view or a good size plot of land.

Thanks all. I've been having a look at some of the places mentioned. Some like Folkestone seem. But too far from London in case we do have to commute in the future.

I think I'm ready to leave London but I've not lived anywhere else so it feels a bit weird to look at much smaller towns. We don't want a tiny village, more a medium town with amenities, shops places to eat, toddler/kids activities etc.

@backtoblighty21

Thanks all. I've been having a look at some of the places mentioned. Some like Folkestone seem. But too far from London in case we do have to commute in the future.

The commute from Folkestone straight into Kings X is quicker than from my East Surrey village (on a branch line) without additional tube/bus across town.

@backtoblighty21

Thanks all. I've been having a look at some of the places mentioned. Some like Folkestone seem. But too far from London in case we do have to commute in the future.

We commute into Kings Cross a few times a week. It is quicker than when we lived in a London suburb door to door (56 mins on HS1 and a pleasant journey as commutes go).

Factor in HS1 commute prices first, it costs a lot more than non high speed. www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/tickets/tickets-explained/season-tickets

Somewhere on the Thameslink route might suit you www.thameslinkrailway.com/-/media/goahead/gtr-all-shared-pdfs-and-documents/gtr-all-brands-route-map.pdf?la=en

@backtoblighty21

Thanks all. I've been having a look at some of the places mentioned. Some like Folkestone seem. But too far from London in case we do have to commute in the future.

HS1 is expensive but my commute from village near Folkestone to Tottenham Court Road is, door to door, only 20 minutes longer than it was when I lived in Zone 3.

Oh wow! It looked like an 1.30h train in KX. Definitely something to consider. I looked at HS1, are the stations just Ebbfleet and something else. Are there more of them?

South Oxfordshire is lovely

@backtoblighty21

Oh wow! It looked like an 1.30h train in KX. Definitely something to consider. I looked at HS1, are the stations just Ebbfleet and something else. Are there more of them?

It’s just Ashford, Ebbsfleet, Stratford and then you are there 😁. Surprisingly quick and easy. Totally recommend the lifestyle here for a young family…

I'm between Ashford and Folkestone so drive to Ashford which puts me one stop further up. Train from there is 39 minutes and on time 99% of the time.

My old train was scheduled to be 28 minutes from SE Zone 3 to Victoria and never took less than 35 ever. Around 10 miles for one journey and 65 for the other in about the same amount of time!