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.

Is this a joke post?

Most of us in outer London can’t afford Richmond! The collective scream would be deafening.

🤣

Look at parts of Kingston, still get access to great schools. Or go to a cheaper part of Kingston and pay private with what you are saving on the house

I quite like Surbiton. It's safe and has a lively High Street, nice restaurants, cafes, very easy bus ride or river walk into Kingston for major shops, theatre, cinema, brilliant music scene. But you are right. It really isn't green. Not at all. The river walk is lovely but that's pretty much all there is except for Victoria Rec (quite nice playpark) and Fishponds Park. I always feel about Surbiton that it's a good place to get to other places from, rather than a place in its own right.

There's more open space around Berrylands, and some cheaper, nicer houses (if you like 30s/art deco) but I wouldn't move there. It truly stinks if the wind is blowing in the wrong direction from the sewage works.

Smellylands isn't a thing these days - think they have changed something about the sewage works!

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/158311895#/?channel=RES_BUY

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/165065570#/?channel=RES_BUY

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/165017636#/?channel=RES_BUY

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/163692827#/?channel=RES_BUY

I would say surbiton is OK, nice, commute is fantastic but otherwise very much suburbia. Not too much green space but does have the river of course. I personally think Kingston, particularly North Kingston, is lovely - good schools too although there are good schools throughout this area of London. Berrylands to me is similar to Surbiton without the great commute. Kingston commute also not fantastic but if you live to the north, you can take a bus/bike to Richmond station and catch the train from there.

Try SE London. More for your money and much less smug!

Surbiton is nice, pretty suburban but safe with good sized houses and good amenities.

Do you want state schools?

Really? It honked quite badly when I passed through earlier this year.

If you just want to move once, concentrate on secondary schools not primary schools.

I've seen it too many times where people move for a lovely primary school but then realise the decent secondary is the other side of town.

I personally chose space over location, moved out of London to a semi rural spot but 10 mins to a fast train to London. Now with a teen and tween, I am very grateful for the space.

Thanks for the further suggestions. I think I should add that I know London – NW, W and SW – very well. I grew up in London. Because our next house purchase will be our last for several years, at least until DC starts secondary school, we need to get it right. That means I wouldn’t gamble on an area that I was unfamiliar with and to which I have no connections. Not even the bigger house is enough of a pull. I would, at a push, have a look at surrounding areas. Hence my question about Surbiton. But I’m now worried from what a pp said that Surbiton might literally and figuratively be sh**.

So another thought: East Molesey/Hampton Court.

Overlooking the awful traffic and the high density of tourists around the palace, is this one to consider? I know there are good schools in the area so I’m hoping it’s somewhere that attracts young families. Does anyone have first-hand experience?

I wouldn't rule out Surbiton at all.

East Molesey is nice but there's not as much happening there versus say Surbiton. The train line is also much slower.

I like East Moseley but not loads going on. Hampton is lovely but the houses are small and ££££. Traffic is bad!

Do you really want to be moving again for secondary, that's potentially 70k plus on stamp duty.

Friends I know in Surbiton love it but everyone is different. I'm not sure on secondaries in Surbiton.

Fair enough. I suppose I’d always look for houses that don’t need work and that one needs a lot! Renovated houses in that area go for at least 100k more.

I think Hampton is a good shout if you’re ok with not great connections into London. And maybe fullwell?

1970 build = solid build, big windows, proper storage and decent sized rooms. Not to be sniffed at.

Brentford, Kingston, Hounslow?
Or further out Sutton or Croydon?

I spent most of my early life in Whitton and loved it. As long as you don’t mind a 30s semi. Great High St. good schools. You’d get an OK 3 bed semi near the station for that budget. EXAMPLE:

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/166009874

Teddington has a lovely High Street and you are straight onto the Thames Path - your money shoudl go further there and it is an OK commute (although Surbiton is better).

Not St Mary’s, unless you’re certain your DC are neurotypical.

Strawberry Hill is lovely. Lived there for years. Close to everything, station, handy parade of shops. I’d move back there in a heartbeat.

I live in a 70s build, it has great sound proofing. In a terrace and never hear neighbours. Used to hear neighbours non-stop in old Victorian house, right down to toilets flushing.

There likely is asbestos in a few of the artex ceilings, but building surveyor advised it was safely contained as long as not disturbed.

As mentioned, money will go further in Whitton and Hampton. I grew up in Whitton and go back regularly. Fast ish train line to London. Decent high street.
I have relatives in this area of Twickenham- bit of a walk to the centre, but plenty of buses etc and you definitely get more for your money. Seems a very friendly area and has local shops too.
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/160695476#/?channel=RES_BUY