Nice area to live

[Olchik]

Hi Everyone!

Can anyone recommend a good area to live not too far from London (commutable distance)? We currently have a flat in north west London but dream to get a house instead... obviously London prices are unaffordable when it comes to houses (at least decent ones) so looking outside, but we have zero knowledge about what areas are nice (as in safe, family friendly, good schools etc)? Maybe within 500k budget or so? Would be so great to have your own garden and more space now that we are expecting our first! Ahhh a girl can dream!
Thank you so much in advance!!!

Something like this in Bromley maybe?

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/136787591#/?channel=RES_BUY

Looks nice! Though I was hoping for smth detached ideally or maybe semi detached. But this looks like a good start thank you so much for the tip! Is this a nice area? Is this where you live?

No- we live in Bath but I do know the area and it's a decent enough town and still in zones. If you need to commute a lot I would advise you to stay in TFL zones- you will get more for your money further out but will double your travel costs!!

I think somewhere like Bromley will give you best bang for your buck whilst still being quick into London , in zones and with lots of facilities on the doorstep and it's not unattractive

Somewhere like this is worth a look too for you- safe area, very family dominated, handy for Kingston and Epsom etc and sill in zones

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/132073766#/?channel=RES_BUY

You will struggle to get a semi for 500k in a niceish area within zones- but obviously if you are prepared to pay significant commute costs then far more places come into play where a semi is possible

I think at this point I m willing to look wider just to start somewhere and then would narrow it down. My husband works from home so it doesn't matter for him but my type of job is usually office based or hybrid (I m a marketing manager)
So if there are any nice areas a little further out I m still interested!

How many bedrooms do you need?

I d like to aim at 3

Winchester is an hour on the train to London Waterloo and all the schools are great....

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/Winchester.html

I mean, change your search results.... we can't afford those houses that came up on the link either! Very happy living as a family in Winchester though.
Also an hour to Heathrow by car