Property/DIY
House under 2 hours drive to London and less than 300k suggestions...
runningpram · 23/01/2023 13:13
I'm not sure whether such a place exist!
Some older family members are keen to move closer to us from up North. Unfortunately house price differences make this quite tricky - although I'm not sure they quite realise how much prices have gone up by.
Does anyone have any thoughts on a good place - obviously the SE is going to be very difficult so need to look further afield? They don't drive and would struggle with home repairs - so period properties on the edge of a town without a good bus service is a no go. They are also unlikely to consider flats.
It would also be great if there were things for them to do, like cafes, nice walks and pubs, a reasonably safe vibe and some community spirit.
I've thought of Newark but have never visited, just heard good things but suitable places all seem to be on the edge of town and not sure what public transport is like. I've also thought about Norwich but nice affordable homes seem to be on the edge of town, so perhaps it might be difficult to get around. Grantham seems a possibility but I think they might find it a bit dull without a car but happy to stand corrected
I'm happy to go up to 2.5 hours drive to widen the choice if necessary
Extrapepperoni · 23/01/2023 13:18
Bit confused - why the '2 hr drive to London' if they don't drive? Also, this will vary considerably dependent on where you live in London obviously.
Try out Zoopla's driving distance based search: www.zoopla.co.uk/travel-time/
NellyBarney · 23/01/2023 13:25
If they like town centre, you are mainly looking at older properties, with newbuilt estates on the outskirts. Taunton is less than 2 hours on the train and is reasonably affordable. Also thought of Grantham, could they add 30 more min and look at Lincoln (but city property there much dearer). Cheaper but with station and facilities in walking distance/public transport: Peterborough, King's Lynn, a flat in Reading. Gloucester.
runningpram · 23/01/2023 13:37
@Extrapepperoni I should have been a bit clearer the drive is for us not them. We want to be able to visit them in a day or with an overnight stay. Ie, go on Friday come back down on Saturday. But good rail links would also be a plus. The public transport angle is really important within the town
houseyt · 23/01/2023 13:40
runningpram · 23/01/2023 13:37
@Extrapepperoni I should have been a bit clearer the drive is for us not them. We want to be able to visit them in a day or with an overnight stay. Ie, go on Friday come back down on Saturday. But good rail links would also be a plus. The public transport angle is really important within the town
Check out those links - one hour by train and 2 hour drive with food transport links within town.
caringcarer · 23/01/2023 13:40
You can get a train to London Euston from Tamworth. It takes about 1 hour 9 minson fast train, cheaper slow train many stops 1 hour 30 mins. You can buy a 3 bed house in Tamworth with a garden. There are some lovely scenic walks around lakes and Tamworth Pleasure Ground. Quite a lot of big shops split between town and out of town retail park. Nice restaurants. Market on Saturday. Snowdome with ski slope, ice skating, snow play swimming and indoor climbing. There are 2 main train links and good bus services. There are NHS dentist spaces too. All usual soft play, sports. Look on Rightmove with a 5 mile search.
YourGazeHitsTheSideOfMyFace · 23/01/2023 13:45
Chippenham in Wiltshire is a town on the main line to Paddington, and is pretty much exactly 2 hours drive from London. It has lots of new and recent estates surrounding the small central town core. Not sure about local public transport but might be worth looking at. Swindon is even closer to London but much bigger and less nice.
willowtree66 · 23/01/2023 13:52
Newark is a dump. I lived there for 30 years and unfortunately need to go back to visit elderly parents. Litter, graffiti, continual roadworks, crime. Transport links are good, however, with 2 railway stations and it's on the A1, A17 and A46. I can't wait till I have no reason to return.
Silkierabbit · 23/01/2023 13:54
Saffron Walden is beautiful, very safe, lots of cafes, a garden, art gallery, NT property, community events and you can get train into London from 2 miles away at Audley End. A lot of properties are period but if you get a renovated one it should be low maintenance. Ones in the centre you will need to compromise on size but its much nicer in the centre. Bigger more modern properties are on outskirts.
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/130008329#/?channel=RES_BUY
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