Commutable areas around LOndon

Yasmin02

Hi

I have posted on here before with my flat/buying sage. I have finally decided not to buy in Lond as I know i would be able to get a lot more for my money further out of London. Also my work has allowed me to work 2 days per week from home so it means I would just have to commute 3 days into LOndon.

I am now on the search for nice areas around london that are with commutable distance. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Yasmin

smogzy

A few questions..

1. Do you want a house / flat, how many bedrooms?

2 How much do you have?

3. Whats the longest amount of time you want to spend on commuting and how you will commute?

4. Any preference to North, East, South, West of London? I can help you if it's East.

amcluesent

Is your work within walking distance of a mainline station? If so, I would always find somewhere on that line - nothing worse that having to come in then fight your way onto bus/tube at rush hour :eek:

Yasmin02

smogzy wrote: »

A few questions..

1. Do you want a house / flat, how many bedrooms?

2 How much do you have?

3. Whats the longest amount of time you want to spend on commuting and how you will commute?

4. Any preference to North, East, South, West of London? I can help you if it's East.

Hi

I would like either a house or flat but would prefer a house and 2 bedrooms owuld be good. I have up to 210k I will commuate by train and up to an hour is fine but anyting less is better. I would prefer East as i currenlty live in Stratford.

Any vieews ideas would be most welcome.

Thanks for taking time to reply.

Ysamin

tower

Hi,

How about Chelmsford, it's about 40 minutes on the fast train and it goes through Stratford. Large enough (shops/bars etc) to keep you entertained but still fairly cheap.

smogzy

I'm in Romford, so know the area well. I done a bit of research a few months ago with the idea of moving further out and I've lived in Basildon, Southend, Billericay and Romford.

Basildon.
One of the cheaper towns in Essex. 40mins on the train to Fenchurch street (£2700 pa for a season ticket). Be carefull which area you move too though, some are ...ermmm..well lets say, a bit scummy. Most nightlife is in the entertainment park (Basvegas). Shopping centre is good and has most main shops. 2 bed flat prices are from 120k up to 210k

Billericay / Brentwood / Shenfield.
Nicer area`s. 30-40 mins on the train to Liverpool Street. 2 Bedroom flats around 160k-300k.

Chelmsford.
Some areas to avoid but generally most of it is very nice. Not sure on the train journey but it`s under 1 hour. Loads of shops, pubs, bars etc in main town centre. 2 bed flats from around 140k

Southend / Westcliff/ Chalkwell
Houses tend to be bigger here as most are victorian & edwardian. A lot of 2 bedroom flats are house conversions especially in Westcliff. Prices around 150-300k+ About 1hr 20 mins to Fenchurch street (and their is a line to Liverpool street). They run an express train too, much faster. Good shopping centre and loads and loads of nightlife (its a seaside town).

Harold Wood
Nice estate in the area with loads of 2 bedroom flats around 200k (Known as Tesco estate). 30 mins to liverpool street. Not much in the way of shops and nightlife. You need to go into Romford for that.

If you drive or know someone who drives then I'd recomend taking a spin around these towns to see what they are like. If you want some advice on which areas in these towns then let me know. I'd post them up here but I dont want to offend anyone who lives in a "Bad" area.

Good luck on your search and remember... shell suits are compulsary attire in Essex :rotfl:

maryjane01

Here is what you will get near my house for your budget:

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/viewdetails-15764990.rsp?pa_n=7&tr_t=buy

I have walked past this place, it does look a bit better in real life from the outside than in the picture. There are some houses in this style in the area that look really nice done up (houses in this style not converted to flats have asking prices between £400-£600K depending on condition and exact location). It is quite a good road, you are extremely close to the station (about 12 mins to London bridge and a bit longer to Cannon St and Charring Cross. Hither Green is part of Lewisham, but close enough to Blackheath so you can walk (about 25 mins). It is not as good as Blackheath, but not as bad as some parts of Lewisham, no estates on your doorstep. There is a nice cafe near the station.

Places on the otherside of the railway line are a bit cheaper because it is not as nice, this is on the good side of the station.

snowmaid

smogzy wrote: »

I'm in Romford, so know the area well. I done a bit of research a few months ago with the idea of moving further out and I've lived in Basildon, Southend, Billericay and Romford.

I'm also in Romford - well Hornchurch to be exact. I would say that that is an ok area to live in? You have Romford mainline and the district line (in an emergency only!) I find it very convenient.