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.

Oh I love this one

It’s under the Heathrow flight path pretty constantly - that would be the killer for me

Whereabouts in Surrey are you at the moment? I think knowing that it would help people to give more informed responses about where you might look at moving to. Where would you be commuting to if you go back to work? I feel like some of the suggestions people are making may be very similar to wherever you live right now.