Affordable commuter towns to London

[sunshineonarainyday6]

Hi all, currently in Sutton outside London but looking to relocate with my young family. We have a budget of around £750k and would like to be in a nice area for raising a young family with decent school but commutable within 90 minutes door to door from Central London and ideally get a 4 bed house with off-street parking for that. We are really unsure whether to focus on Surrey, Hertfordshire or Berkshire. Where would people recommend please? Thanks

Completely outside your search area, but Winchester is just over an hour from Waterloo on the fast train and your budget would be fine in the suburbs.

@fillitup

fair enough *@sunshineonarainyday6*.

I was in Tonbridge & Tunbridge Wells recently & that was really nice but no idea if commute.

I second these areas as nice places to live - good schools esp the grammars and lovely countryside for exploring. Good train links to London Bridge, Waterloo East and Charing X. People can be down on Tonbridge but it has really improved recently with some really good cafes, and Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks are both short drives away with more nice shops, restaurants etc. If you move more suburban I'd say it's not just about the one town you are moving to but also the ones nearby (as long as you drive)

@CasparBloomberg

Completely outside your search area, but Winchester is just over an hour from Waterloo on the fast train and your budget would be fine in the suburbs.

Would it? I looked at Winchester and thought it was £££.

750 doesn’t get you much in Winch, I doubt 4 bed house with parking close to station. Maybe outskirts but then that adds to commute.

Winchester city centre terraces are on street parking with permit but seem in range of 600k ish. Suburbs would get stuff on Rightmove in 750k region still within 90 min travel time to central London (depending where in London). This one not far from station at 685k
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/83416359
Further out there’s more. Moving within range of Southampton Airport Parkway (say Otterbourne) still in catchment for excellent schools and more for money.

Top of budget but 4 bed, close to Winchester city centre, with parking
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/117096845
It is possible. Lots of the ones on Rightmove are already sold in this range though.
I’m not saying they’re great houses, just that Winchester is possible with the op’s needs, including house size, commute, nice area and excellent schools

Didcot is cheap. But I honestly don’t believe you want to commute into Paddington though. Narrow it down - which London mainline stations are most convenient for you?

Paddington is going to be on the Elizabeth line, so Bond St, Tottenham Court Rd, Farringdon, Liverpool St, Whitechapel, Woolwich, Canary Wharf etc will all be easy to get to from there.

Thanks all for taking the time to reply. These sound like brilliant suggestions. Will go off and do some research into them including commuting costs/time etc. Appreciate it x

I would be cautious with the Kent seaside recommendations, the lifestyle can be very different from what you're used to and the socio-demographic tends to be a lot older. Depends what kind of lifestyle you are looking for but very different to Surrey!

Caspar I viewed the development in your first link which is Cala at Kings Barton as I was very interested. Lovely area and easy walk to the station but the houses are tiny. I think that 4 bed is around 1200-1300 sq feet. They are also planning approx 2000 homes for the development and expect to be around for 7 more years. One has to tread carefully with that.

@Somanyquestions1984 ah lots of people house hunting locally, I guess that’s why everything good sells so quickly. Didn’t know about the development but that’s going to impact local schools too. That’s a huge development. Saw a lovely one come on under OP’s budget today in Twyford … but it’s 3 miles from the station.
Good luck with your house hunting too