Where to buy in outer London with £200k budget?

FatVonD

You get a lot for your money in Tonbridge, Kent and only a 35 minute commute into London Bridge:

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-32960028.html

SpiderSkin

FatVonD wrote: »

... maybe try Kenley, Whyteleafe or Caterham where prices drop as they are on a branch line from Purley so trains are stopping trains (though you can change onto a fast one at Purley) but they stop at Clapham Junction where as someone else pointed out you can get a train to Earls Court without going into zone 1.

I would look at Caterham, it is the end of the line, so guaranteed seat in the morning! It is on the Purley/ East Croydon line, so commute to London Bridge or Victoria is really easy, 3 or 4 supermarkets, a few good restaurants etc.. really convenient for London and feels really safe.

imho

buglawton wrote: »

Consider Slough. There are a few posher bits within walking distance to the station (Paddington 20 to 35 mins). It's the new 'East End' in terms of image but going through massive regeneration.

Slough !!!!!!!! Are you joking ? I used to go shopping there 25 years ago and had to go there last year and never again.Its awful place.

harrys_dad

I can't understand why nobody has mentioned the biggest advantage of all of living in north croydon/thornton heath/selhurst/norwood junction area, namely walking distance to Selhurst Park.

pickles13

Well I have lived in High Wycombe for about 6 years and love it (hence why I am now going through the process of buying a house here rather than renting). I am a bit of a wimp and decided to buy in the area where we have been renting as we know it and love it! There is only one area that I would avoid at all costs (known locally as Castlefield- it really is a dump). I have stayed over on the East side of the town as that it what I know. I commute into Zone 1 but couldn't help you with the cost as my travel comes as apart of my job so I have never had to buy a ticket. However, the train service is super quick and reliable!

Maikeru

If she's looking at Sutton she could get a decent 1 (or possibly a small 2 bed) around Carshalton Beeches for that. It's the nicest part of Sutton imo (along with South Cheam). Trains to Victoria 39 minutes; 6 per hour, Zone 5.

Flats in the better bits of Sutton seem to be snapped up really quickly - even now that the market has cooled a bit. They don't seem to go up in value as much as houses in the area mind you, probably because Sutton is a family borough due to the schools.

zizu73

Thanks for the suggestions. Interesting article in the Guardian about top 5 hotspots in different categories (1st time buyers, families & London levers hotspots):

http://www.theguardian.com/money/2014/dec/29/relocation-london-house-prices-brighton-luton-bath

Some of the places there mentioned on this thread.

At the moment the shortlist is: South Croydon, Redhill & Sutton. She would ideally want to stay in South as that's where we have some family but haven't ruled out North West. I think my sister is looking for something with a bit of ethnic diversity and liberal minded people as that's what she is used to from her current place. Which one of these 3 would fit best the bill?

buglawton

Interesting that among the hotspots is Luton.
I was researching BTLs in Luton a year ago. Now there may be nice edges to Luton, but frankly the central parts of it make central Slough look very upmarket.
Due to Crossrail I expect Slough to join the top 5 growers in about 2 years time.

[ edit ] just had a longer look at that Guardian top 5 article, see Slough is already number 3 in top 5 for London leaver FTBs. So even if you have to put up with Slough at least you'll have no trouble reselling.

fawd1

Sutton is in the main very nice, I grew up near there in Cheam so know it well. Croydon I wouldn't touch with a bargepole. It was horrible whilst I was growing up and despite all of the promises of regeneration and it being up and coming, Croydon is still pretty rough. Epsom, Ewell and Leatherhead are also all nice areas. Depends what else she's looking for

abankerbutnotafatcat

This Evening Standard guide to the top commuter hotspots has been updated and features both Redhill and close neighbour Reigate.

http://www.homesandproperty.co.uk/area-guides/uk-areas/hot-homes-45-minute-commutes-central-london#17