London Commuter Towns

[SwissAlps2]

My work regularly takes me into Central London so we are looking to move from the West Midlands to a picturesque market town within an hour’s direct train journey from London and with good schools for a 10 year old. We are challenged with our budget as property here is cheaper so we are looking for a 3 bed on a budget of £375k. We’ve looked at Bicester and Leyton Buzzard so far but are looking for recommendations of other towns which might work?

Flitwick, Ampthill, Bedford, Biggleswade, Sandy, St Neots, Huntingdon.

Property is likely to be cheaper the further east you go. Where in London are you working. There are good rail links to Fenchurch Street and Liverpool Street. Your budget is very tight, you will probably need to compromise on some of your requirements.

I live in Buckingham, which is a small market town, and you will get a 3 bed here for that. Lots of green space here too, and easy access to Milton Keynes for a shopping centre, theatre, cinema etc. and the station there is 20 mins drive; you can get into London in 32 mins on the non-stopper train. Plus oxford is only 40 mins too.

Also, grammar school system (11plus) here. My DD went to the secondary rather than the grammar school as she didn’t pass her 11 plus, but got her A levels, and went on and got a 2:1 degree. So it’s not all bad!

As a PP also said, Winslow may be an option, smaller market town, but new station will get you to London via Bletchley in under an hour.