Help us decide which place fits our lifestyle best in England (Richmond, St Albans, Bath, Reading, Oxford)?

[mrszusi]

Hi everyone,

We're currently residing in Richmond upon Thames and working in Soho. We're considering relocating because, while we adore the natural beauty surrounding us, Richmond is crowded, everything feels quite distant, and there's a transient vibe to the community. Our ideal location would offer safety, abundant access to nature, a river nearby, a sense of community, and fewer crowds. However, one of us needs to continue working in London.

Could you suggest which place might best suit our needs? Any tips or experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Teddington isn’t an amazing commute, but you are considering Bath! The commute from Teddington is a breeze in comparison. You could cycle it in less time than it would take to get to Soho from Bath.

Guildford is a dump. And gets really packed at times. Try driving through it on a Saturday.

As a PP suggested, maybe Surbiton? Yes, it's still quite busy, but it's next to the river, and opposite Hampton Court Gardens. Fast trains (16 minutes) to Waterloo. Not too far to get away to proper countryside.

OP assuming you are happy with a 20 min drive to your watersports you could consider Thame in Oxfordshire - 30 mins from Oxford, 30 mins from London on the fast train and a 10 min tube ride from Marylebone to Piccadilly or Oxford Circus.

Edited to clarify that it's much smaller and sleepier than the other places you are considering. It's more a countryside vibe.

You won’t get much in St A for that I’m afraid.

There’s a small strip between Thames ditton and surbiton which would suit you perfectly. Walk hampton court way for ample greenery. Cycle to surbiton for access to London.

There will be small places in your price range but they won’t come up often. https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/145863536#/?channel=RES_LET

Or this.. https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/146366663#/?channel=RES_LET

I was going to suggest Teddington. It is roughly an hour from Teddington to Soho.

Reading - sadly grimmer by the day

maidenhead - do you like pound shops? If so, fill your boots

Henley, Marlow, wargrave - might be exactly what you’re after, wargrave only a village though. Great river access. Off the main Elizabeth line but perfectly doable

@Gymnoob ah I missed that one when suggesting Thames Dutton as had my filter up to £2k!!

@HannibalHeyes blimey if you think Guildford is a dump you should see where most of population live. It's a pretty big and mixed place- I've been a lot and whilst some bits way nicer than others , I wouldn't say it's dump and I'm a bit of a snob on such stuff. Then again I'm not keen on places that are a bit of a tea shop and nice green kind of thing with nothing practical.

@Crikeyalmighty Fair enough. I've been there quite a lot, but I can't say I've explored many places far from the centre. And, as I say, I've had to drive through there rather more times than I'd care to remember...

Similar neck of the woods to St Albans - Rickmansworth has an aquadrome with watersports. Chorleywood is a bit posher and quieter, but a bit further out, and further from the lakes.

Hmm, actually, this place is close to St. Albans, which is great. Thank you.

I was impressed myself with the find 🤣 didn’t think anything much would be available.

I only know of it as I grew up in cobham and a friend lived there. They were a young fun kayaking family. There’s quite a few docks where you can just walk down with the boats and jump in the Thames at the bottom of those streets. I remember they always had stuff going on like street parties. A few nice pubs. Theirs also a little high street which has coffee, bakery etc.

And close to Richmond so OP can go check it out easily!

It's difficult to become part of any established community whether expat or native, unless you're good at putting yourself out there, joining/getting involved in clubs, local groups etc.

St Albans is the best on your list.
or you may consider Chelmsford or even further faraway city that alongside the train line.
And OP, I think I know where are you from 🤗

St. Albans is my favorite from my list right now, but Guildford also sounds attractive after reading about it. but Richmond is beautiful, so I am confused :D Why do you prefer St. Albans? Haha, what's your guess? Which country?

https://www.hamptoncourtpaddlesports.com/

https://www.sheppertonopenwaterswim.co.uk/

https://www.canoeslalom.co.uk/courses/shepperton.htm

Hampton Court area (Molesey, Walton on Thames, Esher), Shepperton, Weybridge?

@HannibalHeyes I do agree about the driving though - it's an absolute bugger - and I say that as someone who contends with Bath traffic. Personally I would take it over St Albans anyday- and we lived in St Albans twice-

Look at Tonbridge in Kent, 45min train into Charing Cross (walking distance of Soho). Lovely countryside, great schools, water sports on the river Medway...

Have you looked at places you can commute via Reading but not live in the town (which really isn’t that bad but I wouldn’t want to live right in the centre as a family).
Wokingham, Caversham, Winnersh. Earley, Twyford etc

There is also a waterside centre there towards Reading business park near Microsoft . Or you can drive towards Henley and get in on a kayak there. Or the lake in Winnersh

I was going to suggest this. Lovely stretch of the river for watersports.

How about Marlow? If you move to another city you will lack community

There are some practicalities that you need to think about.

1 Getting to a station. Car parks at stations are FULL sometimes by 7am in a commuter belt. You need to be aware of this, walk to the station or park elsewhere in the town.

2 Also, flats close to stations tend to be more expensive.

3 All commuter belt towns tend to be for families who've moved out of the City or have roots there anyway. Unless you have children and get involved in the PTA or clubs etc you won't feel 'included'.

4 Guildford is nice- it has a theatre, university gym, good shops and nice countryside on the doorstep if you go deeper into Surrey towards Sussex. It also has its rougher area. The River Wey is okay but not a kayaking hot spot!

5 St Albans is very pricey and your £2K month would get you a flat but it IS suburbia and is that what you want?

Reading and Bath- just forget them.
The trains are a nightmare, often unreliable, expensive etc.

Reading is a nothing place and Bath is too far and too touristy.

You really need to spend at least a few days in any of these places.
Check out the parking at the station.
Check how you get there- walk, cycle, car.

Thanks for the suggestions. When I was there, I liked Verulamium Park. Is it a good area, or could you suggest something better? Which are is not suburbia?

I don't know St A's as well as Guildford.

St A's is always popular as it's quite trendy and has nice shops and good links to London.

It really is a commuter family town although house prices are high and (I know you're not buying) but almost London prices- £600K would buy next to nothing.

I'm not quite sure what you want apart from access to the countryside- St A's doesn't really give you that.

Do you want to join clubs etc, have hobbies etc and meet people?

How do you like to spend your time?

Do you have a car? Are you going to drive to places at weekends (within 30 mins)?

Is this just you and your partner- no kids?