First world problems: we cannot really afford to ‘upgrade’ areas in London to a semi or detached without a massive mortgage.
We have a budget of up to £2m but before I even start going down the Rightmove rabbit hole, I would need some specific areas to search online.
Does anyone have any recommendations for the most beautiful places to live - preferable in the South of England? (I’m foreign and the winters where are challenging enough in London so I’m
afraid the north is a no-go for me).
The area would need to be commutable for one day a week to London or Oxford.
I don’t know every village or town around the Cotswolds or Oxfordshire border but think these could be lovely.
I also don’t know Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire or Berkshire very well.
Have seen parts of Surrey but not spotted the right bits yet.
Dream list house: Detached, driveway, decent garden, utility, wide hallway, period features, lots of light. Hate cottages and low beams but love high ceilings and large windows and cornicing etc. Fantasy is an orangery! (I know, I know). Not a fan of the way new builds are done in the UK. Not sure how rural we would want to go given kids will be teens in a few years.
Area: Close to excellent state or private schools. Viable high street with more than chain eateries. Close to places both urban and rural or coast for days out. Commutable to London or at a push Oxford for one to two days a week.
I love the area around Herefordshire but it’s probably too far away to be viable and possibly too cold in winter.
Not keen on Kent and know it fairly well. (Just need a change of scenery).
And I realise I am naming whole counties but what I need is more detail or names of specific villages or areas.
I’m quite sociable so want to get stuck in to a community so would be fab if it’s more than a dormitory town/suburb.