Where would you buy if you had £325k?

Strapped

ultrarunner wrote: »

Bit hypocritical considering you introduced the debate

No, I think you did when you suggested that they looked for grammar schools when the OP wanted good schools. Anyway, as I said...feel free to start your own thread.

hazyjo

There are some nice areas closer to London too - like South Woodford, Wanstead, Epping, Loughton, etc. Some good schools around and not too 'London'. On the other hand, they are pricey! You might just find something in or around South Woodford, but there are parts to avoid.

I pay £3k a year for fares to/from Brentwood. If there's more than one of you travelling to London, it might be more financially beneficial to be nearer. Plus you'd lose the time commuting to be at home with family.

Jx

scorpio73

Thanks everybody for your suggestions, appreciate it. Kent seems to be the best bet with our budget but I will check all the areas you suggested. The problem is that with the increasing rail ticket prices every year it has to be taken into consideration as well on top of the commute time.

silvercar

ultrarunner wrote: »

What is wrong with a grammar school? The OP specified good schools, and grammar schools get excellent results.

Serious question - not wanting an argument

The primary reason is that you may not get all your children in to a grammar school. If the grammar schools in an area are getting excellent results, chances are the other schools may not be getting such good results.

Slinky

This thread was raised in 2011!!!!

AndyBSG

securityman wrote: »

Anyone from Wickford, Essex?
Whats that like for the same things the op asked?
Schools, commute to London etc?

Not very nice TBH.

The Town Centre is very run down and the whole area isn't great, That said it's not as terrible as other nearby areas like Basildon or Pitsea which are both pretty grim.

There are much better options in the same area such as Brentwood(much more expensive though) and Billericay. Chelmsford is also a good place providing you end up in the right area(Chelmer Village/Great Baddow way)

In relation to the OP. You'll be lucky to get a 4 bed in Chelmsford or Billericay(3 bed should be OK for that budget though).

I'd say a 4 bed in Brentwood is completely out of reach and even a 3 bed is unlikely

I'd also say that most of the C2C line is worth ignoring. Southend is just too far out for commuting, Basildon/Laindon aren't very nice and the areas in between such as Benfleet, Leigh, etc are quite pricey.

Horndon may be an option if you want somewhere a little rural but not sure if your budget will stretch to there.

I suspect Kent may have better options but don't know the area well enough to comment

AndyBSG

Slinky wrote: »

This thread was raised in 2011!!!!

lol, only just seen that.... Completely wasted response from me then on a 6 year old thread!

Ithaca

bluebeary wrote: »

what about trumpington or the village where lord archer used to live, cant remember the name of it but there is a pub called the red lion there

where the clock stood still, is it grantchester ?

hey is the garden centre still at trumpington, plus you have the perse prep

some good houses round that area

Scotsdales Garden Centre is still there

Grantchester, Trumpington, Gt Shelford etc are all pricey now... £325k won't get you a 4-bed family home, but slightly further out you might (Hauxton, Cambourne etc) although you're longer into London.

Caz3121

Ithaca wrote: »

£325k won't get you a 4-bed family home, but slightly further out you might (Hauxton, Cambourne etc) although you're longer into London.

It possibly would have 6 years ago when the question was asked!

Ithaca

Caz3121 wrote: »

It possibly would have 6 years ago when the question was asked!

Hah! Even zombies need to live somewhere I guess