Help! Where should I move to?

[CJCregg]

Currently in Herts (Berkhamsted/Tring), want to move into Bucks, probably Amersham direction, mainly because of schools and travelling to London.

Haven't got a fortune to spend. Main priority is schools but we're going to be living wherever I choose for some time, so I really want to get it right. Having lived in a village for the past five years and being from London originally, I really want a town atmosphere. Can anyone recommend anywhere that's affordable, reasonably near good schools and has a nice atmosphere?!

PS What I secretly lust after is an old Victorian terrace but there don't seem to be many of those around ... everywhere I've looked seems a lot more modern.

Really hope someone on MN can point me in the right direction ...

Have you looked at Chorleywood? there's lovely schools there and a lot of character properties too, although its a village its quite a large one with lots of shops and good transport links. also Chesham has lots of victorian terraces but they won't be catchment to some of the schools that you might have in mind.
I looked at Mill End nr Rickmansworth at some older properties (one still had the outside toilet and bath in the kitchen - under the worktops, honestly!)
Old Amersham town has gorgeous houses but rarely come on the market

Thanks, ouch! Isn't Chorleywood quite expensive, though? I really don't know the area at all - maybe I should wander over and have a look.

Where are you? (If you don't mind me asking!)

Yes, thought about Chesham but I find it quite depressing. Amersham seems livelier and has better transport links, as far as I can see.

I agree about Chesham

I used to live in Chorleywood, then chalfont st giles and finally amersham before we moved to the midlands. so i went to school in chorleywood (primary and secondary) and it was great.

When we lived there (quite a while ago) chorleywood was slightly more reasonably priced in 'chorleywood bottom' the end near the station.

Amersham was brilliant when Hubby and I lived there, we had our first daughter as a baby there too and could walk to town, the park, schools etc. I used to commute to London every day and it took 15 minutes (on a good day!)

Just realised you are near Tring, is the animal museum still there? I remember going with the school!

Yes, the museum's still there - a weird and wonderful place for children, and still blissfully free so although it gets packed on wet Sunday afternoons, it's still good value.

Not sure about Chorleywood. It seems a bit far away. I think I know Amersham better so I feel a bit more comfortable with that. Scared of leaping into the unknown ... but as I said originally, it's such a momentous move, I really want to get it right. Think I'll pop over to Chorleywood this weekend and have a nosey ...

I think all the Chalfonts are going to be too pricey. What I really want, I think, is somewhere that hasn't hit its peak yet, where ideally I could buy a Victorian wreck and do it up. And has good schools! Not too much to ask, then ...