Taking my equity out of London - where to go?

[Sideofnoreturn]

I’m feeling totally burnt out at work (stressful job in the city) and fantasising about selling up and buying somewhere outright and taking a much easier job. DH would have to be in South west London 2-3 days a week but not necessarily during rush hour (he’s an academic so flexible schedule).

I reckon we’d have £600-700k in cash - where could we go?

It seems you, and an unusually large number of others, are having the same idea. Might need to be keen with your selling price.
Personally I like Winchester and think it ticks most of your boxes. Just avoid Badgers Farm/ Stanmore area.

https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/mortgageshome/article-15466823/Homes-sale-reach-eight-year-high-start-2026-buyers-market-intensifies.html?ico=mol_desktop_money-newtab&molReferrerUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailymail.co.uk%2Fmoney%2Findex.html&_gl=1339n18_gcl_auMTkyOTAzODg5OC4xNzYxMTE3OTIxLjIwNDgzODczMDIuMTc2ODgyNDAxMy4xNzY4ODI0MDEz_gaMzExNzkwMjI5LjE3NjExMTc5MTk._ga_C9F47K6NW6*czE3Njg4MjQwMTEkbzgyJGcxJHQxNzY4ODI0NTg0JGo2MCRsMCRoMTgyNTkzNzczMg..

Not surprised @DrySherry - I feel like my quality of life is awful for how much it costs! Thank you I’ll look at Winchester - are the state schools good?

Do you actually mean 2hrs each way (so your DH will spend 12hrs a week commuting). Will the improvement in your quality of life really outweigh that? Is your DH on board with this? Also, remember to look at costs of train tickets

Winchester has a range of good schools - primaries are generally good but can be variable, but secondaries are all good and good choice of 6th form colleges plus several good independent schools at all stages: primary/prep, secondary + 6thform.
Fast trains to Waterloo in 59mins.
Property can be expensive but would help maintain the value of your equity.

Coming out of Paddington and heading south you could look at the towns and cities on the train line. Guildford is about 1 hr. Schools are rumoured not to be so good b/c the best pupils go to the independents and friends in the area say it's a bit stressful - lots of A types. Further south are some smaller towns which might suit.

We made the move to Wiltshire a few years ago and I would just warn you about the culture shock of moving away from London - especially if you’re not from the UK and don’t have any ties in the area you’re moving to. We have DH’s family and friends here so it’s not so bad, but it’s hard to imagine what life would be like without this network. It is beautiful and the pace of life is definitely slower, but it can also be lonely, boring, and absolutely miserable at this time of year. I’ve found it to be a weird mix of isolating but also very gossipy, people are constantly in your business and even if you’re in a town, most of them are TINY compared to London and you might feel claustrophobic and under-stimulated (unless it’s Bath/Bristol or something I guess). That said, I do think it’s easier with children as you naturally have more people to socialise with and activities to get on with. Lots of people who moved out during COVID were desperate to move back to London after a bit, and frankly, so am I. I’m also not from the UK and I never felt homesick when I lived in London, but I sure do now. Everyone is different, of course - maybe you will love it! I don’t want to poo poo your idea. But I do think a lot of people romanticise leaving London (I certainly did) and I wouldn’t underestimate the potential downsides.

My gosh yes

My situation was different
I had to flee d v with two young kids

Moved to a rural area and my gosh I missed city life

We are very happy now but initially the shock was very hard
Small minded neighbours
Some gossiping etc

But the joy and the peace of the country and fresh air is just heavenly

Best of luck OP xxxx

Dorset. Dorchester area offer exceptional value and direct into Waterloo. Lots doing a few days/ week in town. Very pretty villages.

The GWR rail fares seem even more extortionate than other routes, so I would check rail fares at peak hours if you look at Bristol / Bath etc

You are giving your husband a horrible commute by going so far away from his work. Also, depending on how far through primary your children are, it might be quite hard to know what kind of school they are going to need and want however many years into the future.

I would be looking to factor in your children's mobility options as part of the decision. It's very tempting to move to some countryside place 20 minutes drive from the station but you will spend your life driving yourself and your children around in cars. Look at places near Didcot and Oxford bite en there it's a hefty commute to London

Herts is lovely

The schools in St Albans are really good and it’s a great, family friendly place

I was going to suggest Winchester but thought it would be too £££, looking at Rightmove i can see it's currently going through one of its cheaper than London phases, sometimes it is virtually as expensive and other times not.

I know it well so might be able to help with areas too, would you want to be walking distance from the station?

Would you be happy with a Victorian terrace or a modern townhouse or would you want something a bit further out with more space and a bigger garden?