Where should we move to?

[Mistonthemountains]

We currently live in SW London and have a nice little 3 bed but, with an expanding family, would like some more space.

We have a budget of up to £1.5m and would like 5 bedrooms and a garden. We have 3 children so need to consider schools but would consider both private and state.

Family live in South London so would like to be no more than 45 min drive from SW19.

Any ideas?

How big a garden are you wanting? Because i live close to SW19 and i would have thought that budget would be plenty to stay in the immediate area?

Not a particularly big garden but a bigger house really.

What sort of area are you looking for? Is it important for you to be able to walk to nice shops and restaurants? Any commuting requirements?

We were thinking maybe somewhere in Surrey but not particu set on it. Happy to drive to shops but would ideally have a local pub/High Street. Commuting is fairly flexible - need to get to central London 2/3 times a week.

Surbiton or Kingston could work, you get slightly more for your money than SW19.

If you want more space, have a look at Chipstead, Warlingham, Sanderstead, etc. Some examples -

• Chipstead
• Riddlesdown/Sanderstead(on a good train line)
• Kenley

Also might be worth looking at the Crystal Palace area.

Worcester Park is also pretty affordable given that it's Zone 4, but I find it quite soulless.

It really depends what feel you want. Villagey? Semi-rural? Cool urban but with a banging house?
If the latter, consider Telegraph Hill or Brockley Conservation Areas. Good state schools but access to grammars for very academic kids plus many private options for secondary. Oh and Zone 2 so about ten minutes to the City and not much more for West End. Both have farmers/food markets with the Brockley one being better and access to great green space.

I would go for something like this in Ham- brilliant for Richmond, kingston and Teddington (over the bridge) and handy for SW19 - masses of room too

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/123585524#/?channel=RES_BUY

Would you go east? Say Penge or beckenham?

Ham looks really interesting! Thanks!

Yes definitely

@Mistonthemountains yes Ham is lovely- it's got a big common with ducks and is on the edge of Richmond park. It also has a 60s parade of very useful local shops and a fantastic old fashioned cafe - equidistant between Richmond and kingston and always in demand