London is a joke (moan)

Dhrucku

Cornucopia wrote: »

I don't disagree. However, I think the high cost of commuting those longer distances will remain a disincentive to live further out.

I don't whether you've been to Ebbsfleet, but the area needs substantial work to restructure and rebuild it (from being previously industrial and non-trendy docks). I don't know what the local plan is, but the area has not seen significant development since well before HS1 was opened.

I assume that the HS1 trains stop at Higham, which would possibly be a better option, though it is another 5-10 minutes down the lines. The price of an HS1 season ticket to London is over £400 per month, though.

The aim would be to commute another year for and then find work closer to home (Essex, Dartford) where there are plenty of jobs for my field of work having checked.

Cornucopia

That makes sense.

Residents of Dartford Borough and Thurrock Borough can get a 90% discount on the Dartford Crossing, BTW.

SteveRadner

This sounds great to me. Where do you live? I'm in!

Fraise wrote: »

I now live in Zone 6 with none of the inner London rubbish and crime that was so apparent, and my walk to the station is just 5 minutes. The train takes 16 minutes to either London Bridge or Victoria, and I'm always guaranteed a seat! so, it's actually QUICKER for me to reach central London from where I am now in Zone 6 than when I was between Zones 2 and 3. Yes, a season ticket is more expensive, but not immensely so, and the journey is almost a pleasure. The station I leave from is quiet and peaceful, I buy a coffee and newspaper, take a seat on the train and in just over 15 minutes plus a 5 minute walk the other end I am at work. It's quicker, less stressful, and if I want to stay out in central London at night I'm back home in 20 minutes.

The property I have now is far bigger and much nicer than the one I had previously. I also have green all around me, a big garden, tree-lined street, crime is almost zilch in the part I live (though 5 minutes away there's crime, just like in Inner London).

I have beautiful country style pubs and restaurants on my doorstep, no parking restrictions outside my house, a huge choice of supermarkets, local shops, and a brilliant shopping centre that people travel miles to. there's House of Fraser, John Lewis...all the shops I used to travel to in Oxford Street are now 5 minutes away. We have gymnasiums, a swimming pool, leisure centre/spas, beautiful hotels, golf courses, riding stables...all that and just 15/20 minutes to Central London. You can also get the bus direct.

On top of that I'm just a 20 minute drive to Gatwick, 40 minutes to Heathrow, and if the weather is hot I can be in Brighton in 40 minutes.

I actually can't believe my luck!

Why on earth aren't you looking in Zone 6? I know it's still London prices, but it isn't inner London prices, and the journey time is often quicker!

Cornucopia

I would guess South Croydon?

abankerbutnotafatcat

My guess is Caterham!

Fraise

Both close! Not quite, though

benn25

Wow guys, didnt realise my 'moan' would get such a response. Thanks for ALL the input, really helpful and informative. Definitely given me something more to think about.

If only it was 94 hey. lol.

JencParker

Landofwood wrote: »

Your salary sounds very low for working in London. What do you do?

As a single person you should reach 5x your salary as a mortgage.

Why do you think working in London means much higher salaries? Only if you work in the city or IT.

worried_jim

Jon_B wrote: »

Damn straight. There aren't many new build 2 bed flats for less than 200k on the outskirts of Bristol, let alone London!!!

Absolutely none here in Brighton, even in the !!!! holes. OP is living in dreamland.

csgohan4

I lived in a nice part of London once, but then I had a nice job paying a nice salary. Now that is gone, I moved. It is a privilege living in London, not a right, you have to work hard for it like everyone else or else adapt and go somewhere else.

Of course if I had the money I would love to live in Chelsea and Nottinghill, but I don't so live with what I have.