Currently we live in SE London in own large 2 bed Victorian terrace. We bought this house 6 months ago, redecorated more or less to our taste, but ? I am not in love with, I am not attached to it, and although it ticks all boxes, I know that eventually I will want to move.
The location we live is OK, the area is maybe a bit ?rough? in general opinion, but we live on a nice street, next to a park, I have never experienced any issues or crime, commuting to my work in the City is more than excellent ? it is 11 mins by train to London Bridge. I have my friends living around, so as a mum of 2 years old DS I am in a great social circle. The primary school that we would be looking into in a couple of years has improved dramatically in pass rates. In others words, it is convenient to live here and we seem to have everything we need...
But as 1) I don?t like the house itself 2) DH and I would prefer to live in a small town commutable to London 3) grass seems greener where I don?t live, we are contemplating idea to move further out of London before DS has to go to primary. We would like to stick to our budget of 200k (that is what our house is worth) and get a 2-3 bed house or maisonette in a higher standard area (good schools is a must) and commutable to London Bridge. I realize we probably need to rule out expensive places like Guildford or Horsham or Kent, as we cannot afford it. Theoretically living out of London should be cheaper than in London, but I don?t see how!
Would this move make sense? Is our budget too tight to make a sensible move? Can we get a more quality life outside London than we have now?
Thank you for any opinions!