Outer London - why why why?

[PropertyThreadsName]

This is a post for me to vent. I could scream instead but I’m being considerate of the neighbours.
I’ve been trawling Rightmove for a few days now looking for a 3-bedroom semi (or better) in Richmond-Upon-Thames. I knew that our budget wouldn’t get us the house that we have now (we’re just a little further out of London), but I can’t believe how very little you get.
Anything affordable within our budget of £850-80K is either a small terrace or a 1970s build, which I worry is poorly soundproofed and has asbestos.
I don’t know what to do. I’m desperate to move to be in a more vibrant area with access to amenities but I can’t see how we’ll find anything suitable within our budget. If I returned to work, which I hope to do soon, we could extend our budget to perhaps £1.2-3m. But I don’t want to wait that long. Also, I’d rather use my salary for extracurricular activities for our DC and other things to improve our quality of life.
Is anyone else feeling at a loss about the egregious house prices of outer London? I want to move back in, but these prices are keeping me out.

How old are your DC? Are they pre primary school?

Where in Surrey are you and why hasn't it worked for you? Commute? Haven't found your tribe? Dull?

If you answer the above I think the answers will be more tailored

I guess you have to decide whether to:

• Go back to work earlier
• Wait
• Compromise on house
• Compromise on area

All the reasons you want to live there (schools, green space, amenities) are why lots of others want to live there and why it is expensive. I get your frustration but most people can't afford Richmond on 2 salaries.

Houses built in the 70's tend to be very well done, 60's and 70's was kind of the zenith of housebuilding, often solid walls, cut roof rather than pre fabricated (so a proper loft) PVC wiring with an earth on lighting, so rarely need a re-wire, floor boards upstairs, solid rafts down.

Asbestos yes, but most has either been removed or encapsulated by now if the place has been updated, and you can find it in older properties that had post war budget refurbs, which is more of an issue, Asbestolux board was the MDF of its day and frequently used by DIYers!

Asbestos wasn't discontinued until 1999, my mates 1997 house has asbestos soffit boards.

Yes, that's part of being an adult- not being wealthy enough to afford the shiny thing you would like and having to compromise.

Try Strawberry Hill you might find more for your money

We live in the cheap end of Richmond borough, a 3 bed terrance under £1m isn’t necessarily unspacious but yes, there’s not a lot of bang for your buck. Have you scoped out somewhere like Hampton, which seems to give you a bit more for your money and green space close by? (and you’re not right under the LHR arrivals flight path).

Another recommendation for Isleworth here- so close to Richmond, great schools, great green spaces but so so so much cheaper!

If you’re looking in the whole borough could you look in Whitton? You get a lot for your
money there.

Sadly 850 will not get you want you want in Twickers or Tedders. 1.2/3 would for sure!

Unlikely!

Where are you in Surrey currently as it's quite a bit county?

Oh come on! Strawberry Hill is much more affordable than Richmond. Though.. both desirable so depends on what’s affordable for a buyer.

I would never ever leave London - so we settled for a 2 bed we paid 380£ for in zone 3!! Having a small flat with 2 kids is just all we've ever known and we make it work by being super organised with decluttering - (we have a big back garden which is a massive help with a big shed and loads of space for the kids to play.

Might be able to get a bigger place in a few years in the area but it will still be small and im fine with that - the prices are the prices and you get much less than you would for the same elsewhere.

I think you just have to accept it

The pros of living where we live (shops minutes away, 6 different bus routes 3 minutes from the door, an overground train a few doors down, great safe cycle routes and low traffic neighborhoods, can cycle to work, don't need a car, kids school is really close!) Far outweigh the negatives of having less space for me.

Just wait it out. Prices fell by 5% in the year to Sep 2024.

https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/constituency-data-house-prices/

We’re in Zone 2 and can’t afford Richmond! OP it’s a really expensive area. It would be like me saying I can’t afford much in Kensington.

There are plenty of cheaper places in outer London. Kingston? Twickenham?

Why why why...

Are houses in expensive areas, expensive?

Hmmmm, tricky one.

It isn't really. It has to do with supply and demand economics.

It's interesting that you want a 3-bed semi, as that isn't a property type that you get loads of around here - it's usually more 1930s than you get in this borough, which leans much more towards terraced housing, Victorian or otherwise. I'm not saying there aren't any, but you sound as though you want the borough more than the type of housing, and you might need to be more realistic about that.

As someone said above, you get very much more for your money if you look at more modern housing stock around here. We are in a mid-century (Span) house and I wouldn't trade it for a classically "period" property while we have kids, but it would cost me at least another £200k to get anything like the same floorspace and features (second bathroom with utility room, home study, parking, garden plus additional outdoor space) in a period property.

Thank you for those who have empathised or sent in recommendations. I will review. But I think it may be a case or waiting it out, as a pp said, and looking for something when I return to work. Even with a bigger budget I know we still won't get what we would like, but at least we'll be in an area that we like. That's more important to me than the actual house.

Btw, interesting feedback on 1970's houses. I actually saw one that I liked but dismissed it for the reasons I stated before. I may have to take another look, so thanks : )

Any recommendations for primary schools? I don't mind where it is in the borough, or even a mile out.

Acton zone 3 will have something, for sure. Not far away. Ealing borough next door

If you can find a 3 bed semi for 850 in strawberry hill please send it my way!

I said more for your money, more affordable. Both true. Richmond is one of the most expensive places to live in the country. Strawberry Hill is nice, but it ain’t Richmond ;)

@OhHellolittleone I have, but you're too late Strawberry Hill Semi.

Richmond is the most expensive place you can choose.
Why Richmond?
Loads of lovely areas in zone 6 only 20 mins fast train to central. Like this:
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/163303160#/?channel=RES_BUY

As you know I'm still keen to move back to R-u-T (nothings changed much since this morning), but I'm trying to give myself more options. Does anyone have any feedback on Surbiton? I dismissed it a while back because I didn't think it was particularly green. But there are things that I like, e.g. easy commute into central London for DH and it has a high street, among other things. I want to be persuaded.

Kingston and Norbiton are just as expensive. Almost nothing under £900k-1m for a tiny 3 bed with poky garden, usually terraced.

OP, there are other places. They are a bit more obviously suburban but cheaper. The Gladstone Park area of Dollis Hill. Most of Ruislip and areas north of Southgate/Enfield/Mill Hill have 3-4 bed semis with gardens and nearby green space for around £750-900k. I know because I'm looking too! Kingston was our first choice but we can't afford a rabbit hutch there.