Decent and affordable housing areas in and around london

[estebancolberto]

We as first time buyers are looking to buy a 2 or 3 bed house with garden. As we are planning for a kid soon, we want a decent area with schools where we can stay for at least 5 to 8 years. As we both work in London, we also require a relatively easy train commute to central London, say around 45 mins? Given these, do you have any suggestions for decent areas in and around London that fit within a 400k - 450k budget?

I live in SE London and go into London Bridge - I'm in zone 2 though and houses around here are closer to the £1m mark.

SE London would be a good location to get into London Bridge though. Plumstead, Charlton and Woolwich might be areas worth looking at. I do think it is a small budget for a house but evidently there are houses on at that price.

Penge. 20 minutes into Victoria, 10 mins to Brixton (and Victoria Line), 20 minutes to Canary Wharf and depending on whereabouts you live you can also get to Charing Cross and London Bridge in 28 mins/20 mins.

Loads of parks in every direction and Crystal Palace Park on your doorstep. Primary schools are all good these days.

Not definitely a house...even open to a ground floor maisonette with garden. Does this open up more areas?

Look at penge and Anerley. You'll find places within your budget. Zone 4 London we'll connect, close to Crystal Palace, good schools, lots of families.

personally i would try for a house if you want a good few yrs before moving again

Well connected I should have said!

Although Orpington centre itself is not that nice, there are nice bits and you have the regular fast service to London Bridge.