Need to find a good area 1 hour from London

[Samara26]

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!

Rochester is ok. Canterbury, Maidstone, all fine.

Banbury? I come from near there...it's grown massively in the last 20 years, but the town centre still has charm. The ring road can by hell during rush hour. Surrounding villages are nice but expect to pay more. It's 50-80 minutes from Marylebone.

Also: St Neots?

@SonicBroom

I remember going shopping in Crawley on Saturdays and spending £3 on jewellery from river island just to get the bag to use for my pe kit. Would never live there with family though…. Can see why you’re looking elsewhere!! You could look at villages outside Guildford, it’s a good town and has good trains in when needed. Not cheap though

Would you say Maidstone is an improvement on Crawley? I need to upgrade in this move 🙏

I’m another Kentish maid.

I’d recommend Kent as well - lots of lovely villages.

Coxheath

Leeds, kent

Barming

@Riverlee

I’m another Kentish maid.

I’d recommend Kent as well - lots of lovely villages.

Coxheath

Leeds, kent

Barming

I heard the villages are expensive though aren't they?

Moved from London (Crouch End), owned a flat in Peneden Heath and now live in Folkestone. I don’t think I’d move from London to Maidstone again tbh. Folkestone is amazing and really up and coming with so much to do. Would definitely recommend moving down here if your budget can take it (much cheaper than London but rising rapidly). Lifestyle is head and shoulders above suburbia. Canterbury is nice too, but obvs you don’t get the sea thrown in 😃

I live in Colchester, a great place to live imo.
Sloth lived in Leighton Buzzard for a few years and really liked it!

@Twasacceptableinthe80s

Moved from London (Crouch End), owned a flat in Peneden Heath and now live in Folkestone. I don’t think I’d move from London to Maidstone again tbh. Folkestone is amazing and really up and coming with so much to do. Would definitely recommend moving down here if your budget can take it (much cheaper than London but rising rapidly). Lifestyle is head and shoulders above suburbia. Canterbury is nice too, but obvs you don’t get the sea thrown in 😃

Can you elaborate on what u like doing that makes it so much better than other places? I've spent a lot of time in Brighton, which is a coastal town, but nothing really stood out to me? It has very run down parts and nicer parts like anywhere else and the pubs and bars are all a bit studenty and run-down.

If you’re quick you can afford a 3 bed mountnessing which is just outside of Brentwood, otherwise 2 bed inside. Or billericay/ Laindon.

If your looking for areas in Essex with train stations , then as well as Chelmsford and Colchester you also have Hatfield Peverel and Witham.

@Sunnyday321

If your looking for areas in Essex with train stations , then as well as Chelmsford and Colchester you also have Hatfield Peverel and Witham.

Lovely houses in witham!!! I'm looking for a bit of life - does witham or nearby have this?

Well it's not full of night clubs and doesn't have a cinema or theatre , but it's a reasonable size and between Chelmsford and Colchester for all that.

@Branleuse

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/120618401?utm_campaign=property-details&utm_content=buying&utm_medium=sharing&utm_source=copytoclipboard#/&channel=RES_BUY

This is under 10 mins walk to the main train station where its 45 mins to london liverpool street, and right by the park, quick walk into town, and near the leisure centre

If that house is appealingly cheaper than anything similar it is because it is tenanted.

Edgware/ Mill Hill / Bushey

@Samara26

I sea swim regularly, visit the beach almost daily after work for strolls with the dog, there’s loads of independent coffee shops, pubs and restaurants in great locations with stunning views to while away afternoons. We are 10 minutes from Euro tunnel to hop to Europe for mini breaks, beautiful countryside of the North Downs is 5-10 minutes inland for long walks wrapped up with a drink by a roaring log fire, great cycle routes (I didn’t own a bike before we moved here, but love it now). Ditto running - have taken it up as it seems criminal to live by the sea and not run along it a couple of times a week - it always looks so different from day to day. Loads of quirky pursuits to try, both for me and the kids (from canoeing, to circus skills, skateboarding, roller blading, surfing, loads more). We have amazing festivals throughout the year, all of which are free. Large arts movement and independent shops. Plus Canterbury is 20 mins aways and London still less than an hour if we want.

Also, architecture here in the main is breathtaking.

I actually was against moving here, but am so glad I did….

@HomeHomeInTheRange i cant see where it says its tenanted? It doesnt say its investment. I dont think its massively cheap. Seems going rate at the moment

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/121148381#/?channel=RES_BUY

This is lovely area and walking distance to town, country park/nature reserve and train station. Needs updating but you could add a lot of value as its cheap for the location

I'm in Cambridgeshire in a town with lots of bars and restaurants, although not too many clothes shops. But Cambridge, Bedford, Peterbro, Stevenage are all 30min drive from here and have bigger clothes shops. The town is pretty, has a market few times a week, lovely river and parks.

Train to London Kings X is between 45-55mins depending on which one you get (commuter times tend to be quicker trains with less stops). Lots of people commute to London from here.

3 bed semi would be anything from £300K - 370K depending on specification/finish. Lots of new builds being built all around here too within walking distance to station and I hear they are well priced and you can get some decent deals if you negotiate with the builders.

@2KidsNoTime

I'm in Cambridgeshire in a town with lots of bars and restaurants, although not too many clothes shops. But Cambridge, Bedford, Peterbro, Stevenage are all 30min drive from here and have bigger clothes shops. The town is pretty, has a market few times a week, lovely river and parks.

Train to London Kings X is between 45-55mins depending on which one you get (commuter times tend to be quicker trains with less stops). Lots of people commute to London from here.

3 bed semi would be anything from £300K - 370K depending on specification/finish. Lots of new builds being built all around here too within walking distance to station and I hear they are well priced and you can get some decent deals if you negotiate with the builders.

Thanks - what's the name of the actual town?

Please could you tell me what town this is, I don't think you mentioned it?

Sorry! Have PM'd you!