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Original poster

Need to find a good area 1 hour from London

71 replies

Samara26 · 17/03/2022 02:02

Hey.
Does anyone have any suggestions on a nice but affordable area around one hours train commute from London?

I work remotely but may have to travel in occasionally for meetings and would like to be around 15 -20 minutes drive max from a decent town with bars and shopping etc.

Will be buying a 3 bed semi or end of terrace, ideally not too old.

I've ticked Berkshire off the list now for personal reasons. Am originally from Crawley but not much there and it's not near any decent towns.

I like the Camberley, Woking area but it's a bit out of my price range but interested in suggestions nearby or even Essex.

Thanks!

OP posts:
Original poster
Samara26 · 17/03/2022 16:07

@Branleuse

Colchester
Do you prefer Colchester over Chelmsford? What are the differences?
OP posts:
GoodnessTruthBeauty · 17/03/2022 16:45

Headcorn in Kent has good connections to London from the station and this house is within walking distance. It's a large village with a lot of amenities. I have a friend who has lived there about 10 yrs and is very happy. He commutes to London.
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/121162904#/?channel=RES_BUY

ButtockUp · 17/03/2022 16:52

I live in Maidstone.

Looking to move away tbh.

The town is starting to die on its feet.
Traffic can be a nightmare and if the nearby M20 gets closed/blocked ( quite often) it has huge ramifications. Operation Stack/Brock, where lorries just park on the M20 to Dover can cause bedlam.

Surrounding villages are fairly nice but very expensive.

The trains to Victoria are on a branch line so there's no fast track. The train service can be unreliable .

Also... Kent has the 11+

You might need to consider this carefully.

TheShoeLady · 17/03/2022 22:25

Milton Keynes is only 35 mins from Euston on a direct train. An hour on a slower one.

It’s always been seen as a bit of a joke town, but there’s loads of green space and parks, the whole place is connected by a network of cycle routes, there’s a theatre, art gallery, various museums (including Bletchley Park close by), ski dome, indoor sky diving, two big shopping centres, cinemas and a lively foodie scene with lots of great options - chains and indies - to eat out in MK and surrounding small towns.

In terms of culture, obviously there’s not much history as such, as it was only built 50 years ago, but for families it’s brilliant, some excellent schools, and being in the heart of the country it’s not too far to anywhere else!

Like anywhere there’s good areas and less desirable ones, but your budget would definitely get you a 3 bed semi or end of terrace in a decent area of Bletchley or MK itself.

GoodnessTruthBeauty · 17/03/2022 23:09

Oh yeah I forgot Kent has grammar schools, so that's something to think about...

Branleuse · 17/03/2022 23:17

@Samara26 Colchester is cheaper than chelmsford. I dont mind Chelmsford either but you get more for your money in colchester and its still nice

2MinuteRice · 17/03/2022 23:51

Operation Brock/Stack will also affect travel around Folkestone. It can add hours just when the government decide to practice it.

Also when weather is bad trains from London tend to stop at Strood/Rochester. You then have to find another way to get home. Sometimes there are buses, they take hours.

Original poster
Samara26 · 17/03/2022 23:56

@GoodnessTruthBeauty

Oh yeah I forgot Kent has grammar schools, so that's something to think about...
Not sure if I'm being thick but what's the significance of grammar schools.....?
OP posts:
Original poster
Samara26 · 18/03/2022 00:03

@TheShoeLady

Milton Keynes is only 35 mins from Euston on a direct train. An hour on a slower one.

It’s always been seen as a bit of a joke town, but there’s loads of green space and parks, the whole place is connected by a network of cycle routes, there’s a theatre, art gallery, various museums (including Bletchley Park close by), ski dome, indoor sky diving, two big shopping centres, cinemas and a lively foodie scene with lots of great options - chains and indies - to eat out in MK and surrounding small towns.

In terms of culture, obviously there’s not much history as such, as it was only built 50 years ago, but for families it’s brilliant, some excellent schools, and being in the heart of the country it’s not too far to anywhere else!

Like anywhere there’s good areas and less desirable ones, but your budget would definitely get you a 3 bed semi or end of terrace in a decent area of Bletchley or MK itself.

MK was one of first towns I looked at but it's quite far north for me and I've been told it's hard to meet people, particularly because of how the town is laid out with no real Center. I liked the hub but the shopping Center felt a bit rough to me and I was told to Avoid areas like Bletchley and Leighton buzzard, three mile ash, anywhere central also. Of course it's a big town so bound to be more crime but it has more crime than Reading for example, which worries me.
OP posts:
londonmummy1966 · 18/03/2022 00:07

There are some properties in the villages around Petersfield - the run into Waterloo is straightforward.

Happyhulahooping · 18/03/2022 00:11

Another vote for Colchester. Good schools (both primary and second) available, green space and a few miles travel will lead you to many lovely beaches and more green space. London easily commutable. Many great houses with garden available for your price range. Weather in the summer is generally really good. Not so many clothes shops available on the high street at the moment however still lots going on with many restaurants and good bars. The Essex people have been friendly and welcoming. There is a ‘gateway’ project in development which will bring even more amenities.
Best of luck in your quest OP!

bellamountain · 18/03/2022 00:19

I'd suggest Bishops Stortford or surrounding villages. Direct trains to London and also very easy access for motorways M25, M11. Stansted Mountfitchet, Buntingord, Ware.

Alex333Alex · 18/03/2022 06:13

That's a bit of harsh judgement for Maidstone. I live in one of the villages nearby - just sold to one of the many DFLs (down from London) - prices are going crazy here - town has ben hit by covid and m&s in town has closed because a new large one has opened near Penenden heath. Council however working hard to give some boost to the high street after covid. There are direct high speed train to king's x from London Bridge - 48 mins.

My daughters went both to local non grammar school and now both at RG universities so there is life outside the grammar school system.

But, then, we are all different, I stayed a bit in Milton Keynes for work and I absolutely hated it, whereas I lived in Kent for 10 years and quite liked it.

collieresponder88 · 18/03/2022 06:41

Hadleigh
Leigh on sea
Benfleet
All in Essex all lovely places to live

Greebosmum · 18/03/2022 06:47

Welwyn Garden City. Beautiful place. I grew up there in the 60s and 70s. Would love to go back but can't afford it.

DomusAurea · 18/03/2022 13:17

@Greebosmum

Welwyn Garden City. Beautiful place. I grew up there in the 60s and 70s. Would love to go back but can't afford it.
I studied Welwyn for my history of town planning exam!
CraftyGin · 18/03/2022 13:24

Staines is 32 minutes from Waterloo, so you can get anywhere within central London within an hour.

TheBeesKnee · 18/03/2022 13:27

@DomusAurea

(375k for Folkestone may be a ship that has sailed, sadly.) - just about making it for Maidstone.
Have you looked at Sutton/Morden?

Rosehill, St Helier and Carshalton are still affordable/in your budget range if you want a house.

ButtockUp · 18/03/2022 13:54

The 11+ is an integral part of Yr6 although your child doesn't have to do it.

Lunalicious · 18/03/2022 15:29

Canterbury?

Original poster
Samara26 · 18/03/2022 17:14

@bellamountain

I'd suggest Bishops Stortford or surrounding villages. Direct trains to London and also very easy access for motorways M25, M11. Stansted Mountfitchet, Buntingord, Ware.
These sound lovely but from what I can see they are not close to any large towns? I'm looking for a bit of 'life' nearby around 15-20 mins max away.
OP posts:
Original poster
Samara26 · 18/03/2022 17:16

@Alex333Alex

That's a bit of harsh judgement for Maidstone. I live in one of the villages nearby - just sold to one of the many DFLs (down from London) - prices are going crazy here - town has ben hit by covid and m&s in town has closed because a new large one has opened near Penenden heath. Council however working hard to give some boost to the high street after covid. There are direct high speed train to king's x from London Bridge - 48 mins.

My daughters went both to local non grammar school and now both at RG universities so there is life outside the grammar school system.

But, then, we are all different, I stayed a bit in Milton Keynes for work and I absolutely hated it, whereas I lived in Kent for 10 years and quite liked it.

Which part of Kent did u stay in or do u mean maidstone? What didn't u like about Milton Keynes?
OP posts:
Original poster
Samara26 · 18/03/2022 17:20

@Lunalicious

Canterbury?
I'm going to check it out thanks. It's smaller than I realised with population 66000 and a lot of them students, whereas crawley had 100,000 but I guess it's more about amenities and quality of life.
OP posts:
Porridgeislife · 18/03/2022 17:39

South Oxfordshire - Thame or Haddenham? Really good train into Marylebone & close to Oxford and Aylesbury.

backintothefire · 18/03/2022 19:29

Canterbury is absolutely lovely and is on the fast route into St Pancras, you'd get there in just under an hour. Loads of bars, restaurants, good shopping etc.

I get the impression from your OP that you don't have kids, so you'd find something easily within your budget and not have to worry about grammar schools for many years (if at all!)