Where to live close to London

[rachelg1974]

Hey - thinking of moving from London after a lifetime there! I have 2 kids (9 and 4). Looking for somewhere that is no more than an hour from London by train, has good primary and secondary schools, is quite vibrant and liberal minded. Not looking for a small village for various reasons including not wanting to have to drive everywhere. Am just starting to explore and would love to hear any suggestions. Thanks!

Budget is just a teeny tiny bit relevant here OP 😆

How about looking at places on the Met line, Rickmansworth, Chorleywood or Amersham. Good schools and easy to get into London on either the Met line or Chiltern line. Some beautiful countryside too.

Without any idea of a) budget or b) whether you still need to commute to a particular station on a regular basis, it's difficult to know where to start

Brighton

Berkhamsted.

Where do you work? Would it involve changing jobs?

Chelmsford ?

Hove would suit you well

Kind of but, all else being equal, Londons as expensive as it gets so she’ll likely be able to afford anywhere.

Guildford

Hampstead.

Reigate

I’m not sure you can call that out of London 😂

How about somewhere like Hampton Hill or Teddington - great schools and transport links with the benefits of being part of Greater London but with a village like feel..

St Albans is exactly as you describe. But not cheap and it's hard to make sensible suggestions when we don't know your budget and what ties you have to have to various London locations (eg friends, job, family)

I’m in the same boat, so interested in this thread. A Londoner no longer liking London, where does one go, when used to a car free life and lots nearby? I thought I better go look at St Albans, Guildford, bishops stortford, Amersham. I had no connections to any of these places!

Brighton is horribly crowded, to my mind. I am thinking of somewhere with green spaces and less crowded streets, but aware that currently everywhere is being expanded with new builds.

Oxford. 55 minutes to Paddington.

You couldn’t find anywhere more vibrant: endless things to do, great schools, vast green spaces in the city centre, absolutely one of the most diverse cities outside London. And of course a highly educated population.

The only downsides are traffic - and terrifying house prices, whether buying or renting.

Brighton is more than an hour by train and is expensive. Plus its overrun by DFLs.

What are DFLs?

‘Down from London’
Visitors/tourists

London is overrun by DFE’s( Down from Everywhere) . It’s the 21st century, People move around, and it’s allowed.

Reading or Newbury

I agree, budget and which part of London do you need to get to?

Aylesbury (1 hour from Marylebone) ?

Amersham
Berkhamsted
Wheathampstead
Radlett