Help with areas to buy house - £260k budget; commuter into central London

pathtofreedom

Milton Keynes might work, as it is 40mins to euston then northern line. Northampton might be pushing it as that is an hour to london but you'd get more for your money so depends on priorities.

Haylescom

I live in Harlow and it's not as bad as people like to say. It's very conveniently placed as has some quieter parts towards the old town.
If you want to be closer to the tube though you could try Epping or Buckhurst Hill, about 20 minutes from Stratford.

happened2me

How about Stevenage? Trains can get you into Finsbury Park in 19 minutes (£3500 per year) - You can get a nice 2 bed house in a decent area for £250k

Magpie100

We live in Old Harlow and love it! You get a lot more for your money and Old Harlow is great. I appreciate not all of Harlow is the same, but it has fantastic road links (M11 in ten mins, M25 in twenty) and the trains are regular (every 15 mins from Harlow town). Greater Anglia, who run the train franchise, are a nightmare, but when things are going ok I can do my door to my desk in central London in an hour.

Harlow also has lots of green space round it - see this Evening Standard guide for more: http://www.homesandproperty.co.uk/property-news/buying/the-top-commuter-town-to-watch-harlow-in-essex-outperforms-londons-top-property-spots-a98286.html

Mags100

swindiff

Post electrification of the rail lines, Swindon to Paddington should be about 45 minutes.