Leaving London...but where?

crisp

After 40 years in London, I have decided to move out and settle down and raise a family. I would be grateful for suggestions of areas within 90 miles of London (as I will be still working 3 days here) so I can kick start my search.

Preferably a place with a good stock of edwardian/victorian/georgian homes, good schools, safe at night, community feel so smaller town, but a relatively diverse mix of people. My budget is £500k.

Marlbourgh in Wilts was mentioned to me as one option, but Im keen to have a shortlist of half a dozen or so.

Any tips will be helpful

hazyjo

Tunbridge Wells (several on here hate it cos of it's old 'Disgusted in Tunbridge Wells' tag - they think it's snobby, but I nearly bought there and found it lovely. Lovely houses, friendly people).

Places I don't know much about, but seem to have good reputations - Windsor, erm... can't think of anything else off the top of my head. I'm guessing Oxford and Cambridge are nice, but someone would have to clarify!

Some very nice villages in Kent and Sussex - lots with train stations. Do you have any preference as to which side of outside London you'd want to be? Where would you need to get to three days a week? Going into a train station the opposite side of London to where you want to be can add an hour to your journey. I wouldn't want to head to say Paddington if I needed Canary Wharf!

Jx

RAS

90 miles offers you a lot of different travel times into London? And travel costs? Do you need to be in London early doors or can you commute later? Or could you stop over one night a week?

pmlindyloo

If you have hours to spend I would do a Kirsty and Phil. Mark your proposed area on a map and then trawl through Rightmove to see the kind of house you're after.

Then come back here and ask about the areas.

I'm afraid there is no quick short cut to finding your dream house and in the end you are likely to choose one that has absolutely no bearing on what you originally specified!

Of course you could apply to be on Location, Location and get them to do the work for you!

Seriously, make a list of your priorities (must haves) but be prepared to compromise.

It isn't easy!

PS I'm a Kent girl myself.

crisp

thanks for the quick replies. I picked 90 miles which covers approx 2 hours.

I have spent time in Blandford, Dorset and Poole and loved the autumns there, but its fairly far out to be practical for me now. Also spent a little time in Tunbridge Wells (albeit in the 1990s), Sevenoaks, Oxford and Henley. Yes very nice indeed. It is helpful for the confirmation.

I was thinking Wilts, Bucks, Kent, Sussex. I will sit down with a map and right move them and work on a short list.

Location, location? I think Kirsty and me will go together like the tooth and a drill

cooltt

Starting a family at 40? if that were a woman a few eyebrows would be raised. 50 year old dad at age 10?

abankerbutnotafatcat

cooltt wrote: »

Starting a family at 40? if that were a woman a few eyebrows would be raised. 50 year old dad at age 10?

None of your business and I don't think a 40yo new mum would raise any eyebrows anyway.

cooltt

I didn't say it was any of my business but it is my opinion as i believe everyone is entitled to. Yes new mums at 40 do raise eyebrows there's been enough media attention about it.

mayfair1985

My mum was 40 and my dad was 42 when i was born. No harm done here

Try Hartley, Farningham or the Sutton areas in Kent. They are all lovely!

zcrat41

Don't be afraid to look north, cheaper schools and cheaper housing. I'm Bedford/St Neots/Kimbolton (my personal fave - beautiful) all 50 mins from London on a fast train and within 8 decent private school distance.

Oldernotwiser

If you do settle down and have a family, will you be planning to educate them privately or will state school catchment areas be an issue?