Help ! I don't know where I want to live

[Ramtamtam]

Hi, we are a couple in our 30s currently renting in London and we are wanting to buy ideally a house, semi detached or end of terrace, at least 2 beds with a bit of garden, all with a budget of around 350k, planning to have children and we are stuck, we don't know where to look as obvs London is completely out of reach. We'd like to be northwest of London if possible, went to see places like Banbury, Bicester, Welwyn, Letchworth, Leighton Buzzard as they are all in within budget but we haven't felt the spark. My partner would need to be able to commute to London perhaps once a week too.
Please hit me up with your recommendations. Thank you !

Tring or Wendover area? Probably have to be a mid terraced though.

Thame and Haddenham are both nice with a station nearby. Your budget might be a bit tight but there are some properties that are just within it on rightmove.

Letchworth is a great place to live. I've also lived in Bicester and Milton Keynes. I'd pick Letchworth hands down, though MK was the fastest commute of the 3 at 30mins to Euston.
Maybe look at the villages around Hitchin.

Flitwick?

Oo yes, Flitwick is nice. Shefford, Henlow and Ampthill too.

Thank you very much for all the suggestions, we are going to visit some of the towns and take their pulse. I never thought this was going to be this difficult, really struggling.

Hi @Ramtamtam how are you getting on with your search? We're in a similar position, trying to be north (west) out of London on a tight budget without a terrible commute.

This isn't a budget to work in London, let alone to afford a family.

Hello, we have settled on Leighton Buzzard, loads of options for our budget and it seems like a lovely place, everyone we spoke to in Leighton was happy with their choice, loads of people moved over there from London and still commuting. Good luck to you

Glad to hear, good luck to you too!