Best places and areas to live in your early 40s_South England

[Lizzy155]

My partner of 9 years just left me and I need to move out asap. I am looking to buy a 1 bedroom place somewhere. Not too expensive (I've got an OK job but not earning a fortune). It needs to be a commutable distance to London (work), with reasonable choice of things to do and ideally with people my age so I can make new friends (late 30s, early 40s).

Any recommendations?

I've been looking at Milton Keynes but not too sure if I like that town panorama (I'm used to lots of woodland, lakes, canals). Looks like it's a quick commute to London but expensive tickets to travel each day (I don't necessarily need to go to the office every day for now). Is that a nice place to live and if so, which areas in MK to go for?

If not MK, where else could I look?

Thanks! :)

Aww, that one looks lovely :) Might actually call the agent about it but yes, will check the trains first.

Mainly West and North London. Guess I will need to make some new friends too so they live closer.

Folkestone?

Will check it out, thanks.

How about Maidenhead, anyone?
Would I be likely to meet new people my age there?

Leighton Buzzard is a good place - ten mins away from Milton Keynes with lots more nature and bit cheaper. Not tons to do but close to lots of places with stuff to do.

Here are some properties on the market there at the moment within your budget:
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/121880444#/?channel=RES_BUY

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/122398976#/?channel=RES_NEW

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/85145319#/?channel=RES_BUY

Aww, I really like the first 2!
I will call the agents in the morning.
Will check out other places in Leighton Buzzard, it looks more affordable indeed and I love that canal! :)
Thanks!

Glad you like them, however I just realised that the second one is 50%-75% shared ownership and thought I'd better tell you.

What about this one in Morden?

It's really close to the tube, good proximity to Morden Hall Park, which is beautiful, and not far away from Wimbledon.

BTW Morden to Waterloo takes around 20-25 minutes on the Northern Line, direct.

If you need to get to Waterloo then I would definitely say Surrey or possibly Berkshire are your best bets OP. Guildford, Woking, Windsor, Reading all pretty good options. Anywhere like MK and Leighton buzzard you would primarily need to travel to Euston and then get a tube down to Waterloo.

Though sadly there's a catch if you read the small print....

Ah yes - very short lease/few years left. Didn't spot that!

Thanks.

Thanks, never been there, worth checking it out.
As to work, I might change jobs in a bit so not sire where I'll need to commute too. Most likely somewhere central.

Thank you. I've been looking at so many places North, West and South off London. It seems like such a difficult choice. I mean, once I buy a place, I'll need to stay there for some time so, being under time pressure of having to quickly find a place, if just feels a bit daunting.

I might focus today on checking commute time and ticket prices to get to London.

As a PP pointed out, Charing X trains stop at Waterloo East, so that opens up Kent for you.

Thank you.