Where could we move for London trains, coast and space within budget?

[poostinkywink]

Pls can I ask for help/ ideas. We want to move out of London to somewhere where we can get a train into London (ideally within 2 hours but could be a little longer). We were looking south east and towards Wales. I have family in Pembrokeshire but I think it’s too far. We ideally want a detached house in walking distance of shops/amenities BUT our daughter plays a very loud instrument and so we need ideally an annexe away from other properties 🫤 We have max £750k. We are going round in circles trying to find the ‘golden location’. I would love to be on the coast and move closer to my family. I’m not sure my wants are possible. Any ideas of locations which could work/ ideas I’ve not thought of? If not coastal then that’s good too 🙏 Thank you in advance.

Southbourne, Bournemouth is a lovely suburb by the sea. 2 hrs to London on train. Yes, centre of Bournemouth not great, but beach, local area and New Forest nearby lovely. Right side of London to get to Wales.

Portsmouth

Thank you Babycat. So, we had family down that way and we have exhausted it iyswim. Although I’m not familiar with Southbourne so will still check it out. Thank you for your suggestion 🙏

I said south east in my post but I meant south west (can’t find how to edit my op)

What about Swansea? Do you need to be within 2 hours of London for work?

Bristol

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/171514970

yes for work but not daily. And for friends and family.

The neighbours are too close - wed make too much noise- and we’d ideally like more land to put a annexe - But I’ll defo check out the area- thank you.

Any Bristol suburbs or villages you could recommend?

Portsmouth?

Stroud in Gloucestershire or surrounding villages. Only an hour and a half into Paddington but beautiful scenery although obviously not coastal

It’s the wrong side really. Was hoping to find somewhere further west. But thank you.

Thank you. Stroud going on the list. I know nothing of Stroud.

follow the Chiltern line for trains and look up the m40. Banbury, Leamington area.

not beach but easy to travel both directions

Check out BH13

Actually BH14! BH13 is Sandbanks

I love Weymouth, especially Preston end.

Edited - just realised that’s 3 hours so probably too far.

How often do you need to go to London?

Pembrokeshire would give you everything you wanted for that budget except for proximity to London. Might be worth the compromise if you don't have to go there too often.

Bristol / Stroud / Northamptonshire aren't really coastal!

Re the instrument - my dc played drums, marimba and we all played a brass instrument.

practicing in a separate building can be louder than in the house depending on the construction of the building.

we briefly exiled my son who played drum kit to the garage before realising the sound actually traveled much more from the garage and pissed off all the neighbours

Look along the severn estuary and Bristol channel, it’s about 2 hours door to door by train into central London from my house and your budget will get what you want (just) though you might just need to sound proof a closer annex. Chepstow isn’t on the coast but property is more affordable if space is wanted

I was going to suggest Carmarthen. That’s where I’d live if I were to start again.

Tricky combination. In your circumstances I think I would look seriously at Cardiff, partly because moving out of a capital city is a big change, particularly if it’s London. Cardiff would give you the coast and bring within much easier reach of Pembrokeshire. 2h17 to London so a bit far but your money will stretch. I don’t know Cardiff though I know people who love it, and in the same situation I would start a specific thread about it.

@persilasper , Bristol is a port city. It's fairly close to places like Portishead, Clevedon and Weston-super-Mare.

Exeter, Chippenham or the Newport area in Wales. Bristol is a good option but possibly out of your budget for what you want. None of them are coastal but Newport and Exeter aren't far from beautiful coastlines. To be honest I don't think you're going to achieve all of your wish list. You'd definitely get the dream property in Pembs or Carmarthenshire but it's way too far from London. How essential is the "London" bit?