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Original poster

Looking for property near London

66 replies

Momddun · 22/10/2021 21:31

HI All,
we are looking for property near london (30 min) and area which would have a good grammar school- so that we are in catchment of a grammar school.
We are preferring new property (seen few old ones did not like) so areas we know is reading.
It has news homes in Shinfield,calcot and basingstoke road.
We live in london and want to buy a hope in a years time - preferably 6 months.
we plan to educate my son who is in year 1 in independent school till he gets in grammar school.
We both are working in London so we are looking for a place within 4-5 miles from reading station ,
And to be frank i donno how difficult the traffic is going to be in morning times .
so can anyone suggest if calcot /shinfield would be better .

OP posts:
SoosanCarter · 23/10/2021 08:25

The traffic will be dreadful. Your life will be more bearable if you buy where you can walk to a station. Get up early one day, drive around Reading between, say, 8-9 am. See what it’s like. Have you factored in timings from Paddington to your place of work? Also don’t forget the cost of parking and season tickets.

I’ve read your other posts and it’s great that you are doing your research, but don’t fixate on Reading. Other areas have grammar schools and your son is still very young. He might not get into a grammar school, competition is fierce.

New builds are relatively more expensive than those just a few years old. You could consider a house that is less than 10 years old and you will get more for your money. The warranty on new builds is misleading, it only really applies to serious structural defects.

Tiredteacher100 · 23/10/2021 11:53

The morning traffic in Reading can be awful, I was shocked how bad it was when we moved from London. Reading can easily go into gridlock, especially if there is an accident on the M4, so don't assume you'll be getting to the station in a few minutes! Having said that, I drive through central reading at 7am and at that time it's usually ok. Maybe look at Caversham or Emmer Green which are nice and nearer the station, or Earley which has a train station with a line directly to Reading.
Reading School is incredibly competitive to get a place, don't assume it will be easier to get in because it's outside London. When my nephew was there, boys caught the train to school from places like Maidenhead and Slough.

secretbookcase · 23/10/2021 12:00

I'd move to Sutton. That way you are near Sutton boys' grammar, Wallington, Wilsons and Tiffin - four choices nearby.

local new build

Pinkdelight3 · 23/10/2021 12:19

Not seen your other threads. Have you ruled out Sutton for some reason?

Pinkdelight3 · 23/10/2021 12:19

Great minds @secretbookcase!

anniegun · 23/10/2021 12:21

Reading has only 2 Grammar schools as the 11plus system is not in place generally in Berkshire. That means competition is intense and most independent pupils stay in the private sector. Buckinghamshire is a better choice if you are hoping for a Grammar place (and the Chilton Line is a good commuter run)

Original poster
Momddun · 23/10/2021 13:29

Pinkdelight3 I was thinking of Sutton but was not sure . I agree competition would be tough in grammar school but that doesn’t mean I should not try for the best ... reading came to my mind because it is one of the few places I know near London . One of my colleagues told me that some like QE Barnet don’t have catchment area so if you are good scorer you will get it no matter where you live .So try being in one catchment area ... I agree reading would be awful during morning times (I thought so atleast hearing about other places at morning times)...
My office would be Farringdon but I might need to be at client location around London so it would change every few months ...
Sutton also looked good to me ...
I tried seeing old houses in reading but their prices seemed to me same as of new houses (at least one quoted in Rightmove)and rooms were smaller ...
I looked in Caversham also ... but at this stage (initial stages of research) it is bit confusing ...I will keep looking at properties I. that area....
London would have been good option as commute is easier and both of us work in London.But people are suggesting me to be in catchment area of a grammar school...
I get very valuable advices on this forum and the am exploring all ..
In coming weeks I will research Sutton

Also to mention I am grateful for all the good advices and help I get in this forum .

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Original poster
Momddun · 23/10/2021 13:33

Also I saw some development in Horley... need to check out catchment area of grammar school near Sutton

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Ariela · 23/10/2021 13:37

Try Twyford, it's east of Reading and thus a shorter commute, most properties are easy walk of the station, the comprehensive is a popular choice for those that don't get in to grammar.
Alternatively look at Marlow or Wooburn Green to get into Bucks grammar schools

BendingSpoons · 23/10/2021 13:51

The Sutton grammars reserve a good proportion of their places for more local children. So you can get in from further away, but it's tougher. I don't think the commute from Horley would be much fun. There is a lot of new build near Hackbridge and would be an ideal commute to Farringdon. It might not be the type of area you are after though, if you are looking more at commuter towns.

Original poster
Momddun · 23/10/2021 14:06

Ariela thx...
I guess I might have assumed somethings and have not mentioned...I intend to go to London by train only to Paddington
Also what is comprehensive....sorry I am very new in all this :(

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Ariela · 23/10/2021 14:15

Twyford is on Paddington line. You can easily park and get a seat post pandemic. Takes about 35 mins I think.
Marlow and Bourne End are on the train to Maidenhead where you change to Paddington, takes about an hour from Marlow.

A comprehensive is a state school, that your child might go to if they didn't want to go/didn't pass the selective test for a grammar.

Original poster
Momddun · 23/10/2021 14:54

So if I be in Twyford will I be in catchment area of reading grammar school

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SoosanCarter · 24/10/2021 00:14

Why are you so desperate about grammar schools? There are many other very good schools.

Original poster
Momddun · 24/10/2021 07:40

People have told me grammar school are good ... plus grammar school will have all good(preference to studies) kids . And child gets competitive atmosphere

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creamandberries · 24/10/2021 07:47

That's not necessarily true about grammar schools, and you're placing an awful lot of pressure on your son and yourself by choosing an area now just for its schools. Schools can take a downwards turn very easily over just a few years.

Your best bet is moving to somewhere with v good state secondaries which you're almost guaranteed to get into, whilst also saving for private so that that's an option too.

Some state secondaries can be far superior to private schools if you pick the right ones. People who've told you that grammar or private are the best are probably people who've only been educated in those themselves.

I was educated in one of the best private all girls schools in the country and my husband was in the equivalent boys one- where about 25-40% of students each year went to oxbridge, we can afford private fees and yet we'll still be sending our children to state school as what they offer is superior to the private schools local to us.

MMAMPWGHAP · 24/10/2021 08:04

Sutton choose for you commute OP as it is the effective ’end’ of the Thameslink loop. You will be guaranteed a seat every morning for your commute to Farringdon.
What sort of budget do you have?

Lonecatwithkitten · 24/10/2021 09:28

Have you considered Newbury/Thatcham lots of New builds. Many postcodes are in catchment for the Reading Grammers, but if your son didn't get in we have much better comprehensives than Reading as an option.

The traffic is better and there is really quick access to countryside. Also multiple private options for primary and secondary.

sluj · 24/10/2021 10:04

It might help to do a bit of research on how schools work first. I'm not sure if you realise how competitive some grammar schools are and where children go if they don't get in to the grammar school? You mentioned the "catchment " area quite often almost as if you think that living near the school is the only factor in gaining entry? There will be extremely competitive tests to pass and, at this point, you have no idea if your DC will be suitable.
It might be better to forget the grammar school idea and just look for an area where there are good state schools, including comprehensives.

Original poster
Momddun · 24/10/2021 12:20

Hi sluj,
Thank you for your reply... but I do understand grammar schools are competitive but that doesn’t mean we should forget it... unless you try how would you know you are worth it or not... grammar school catchment is one of our criteria ... commuting to London in 30-35 min(central London Paddington or any ) is also our other criteria ... new property is our third criteria ...
I surely want to give a shot for any competitive grammar school... I do understand some like QE Barnet is very competitive and does no have catchment area criteria ... so no point in staying there now ... I want to be in one of the grammar schools catchment area ... so that we have that option open ...

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Original poster
Momddun · 24/10/2021 12:21

I will check Newbury also ... thx a ton for letting me know this

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Original poster
Momddun · 24/10/2021 12:23

There is no pressure on my son he is very small ... it is like we have to buy a house so why not have that as criteria ... He can do whatever he likes but incase he is good he should have that option ... anyways we want some place out of London so being in grammar school catchment will not harm anyway

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Original poster
Momddun · 24/10/2021 12:24

We have something around 500-550k in mind

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CheeseCakeSunflowers · 24/10/2021 12:47

OP are you aware that if your DC does not pass the entry exam for a Grammar many comprehensive schools will not then accept him as they want the full range of students not just those who do not pass, he will probably only have the option of a secondary modern. Many of these are good but some are not so you need to consider the alternative to the Grammars in your chosen area too. Personally I would wait until his academic abilities are known and you can predict if he is likely to pass the exam or not.

pancakesonsunday · 24/10/2021 12:57

Why not somewhere like Hitchin? 25-30 min train journey into multiple London stations, outstanding secondary state schools and could save up to send children private if wanted to closer to the time (ok local options and excellent private options in nearby St Albans).

Your budget won't stretch very far though sadly- but it's a good option and a way of pretty much guaranteeing access to an excellent school without having to worry about entrance exams.