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Areas in Surrey/Hampshire/Berkshire to buy in

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Milerix
Milerix Posts: 25 Forumite
edited 22 October 2019 at 2:16PM in House buying, renting & selling
My husband and I currently rent in London, but are looking to buy a house (3 bed semi or detached, not new build, price 350k to 450k) with a good commute into central London as well as into Staines area. We've looked a lot (and nearly bought a house, but sellers pulled out) in Farnborough, which seemed to have a good selection of houses meeting our criteria. We also looked st Woking, Farnham and Byfleet but haven't really viewed there. However, since we started looking again in the last few weeks, there hasn't been much to choose from and we are starting to look into other areas that could work.

From looking at trains, I made a list of other options that work commute wise and potentially within budget:
Feltham, Sunningdale, Hampton, Sunbury, Twyford, New Malden and Chessington. As we live in London it's not easy for us to make a trip and get a feel for the area for all these places, so I was hoping to get an initial steer here... which would you advise for and against? Any other suggestions? TIA! :)
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Comments

  • Used to live in Twyford. Great place with villagey feel. Decent commute as long as Paddington works for you.
  • Skiddaw1
    Skiddaw1 Posts: 2,276 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    You could go out a little further (and get more bung for your buck) possibly. Didcot? Town is surprisingly nice, surrounding country is lovely and a very easy commute to Paddington.
  • zagubov
    zagubov Posts: 17,938 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 22 October 2019 at 1:44PM
    Milerix wrote: »
    My husband and I currently rent in London, but are looking to buy a house (3 bed semi or detached, not new build, price 350k to 450k) with a good commute into central London as well as into Staines area. We've looked a lot (and nearly bought a house, but sellers pulled out) in Farnborough, which seemed to have a good selection of houses meeting our criteria. We also looked st Woking, Farnham and Byfleet but haven't really viewed there. However, since we started looking again in the last few weeks, there hasn't been much to choose from and we are starting to look into other areas that could work.

    From looking at trains, I made a list of other options that work commute wise and potentially within budget:
    Feltham, Sunningdale, Hampton, Sunbury, Twyford, New Malden and Chessington. As we live in London it's not easy for us to make a trip and get a feel for the area for all these places, so I was hoping to get an initial steer here... which would you advise for and against? Any other suggestions? TIA! :)

    My vote's on New Malden.
    two-bed flats/maisonettes with off-road parking available for £400k. Some have private gardens.
    Good shops Waitrose, Tesco, big stores, trains ( six an hour about 30 minutes to waterloo) running into the small hours (last train home at 12.30), fast bus to Heathrow (1 hour) Croydon Centre (40 minutes), Kingston town centre and Wimbledon both easily accessible by train. Close to A3 and can be on the M25 in half an hour.
    Good schools, leafy village-y feel, low crime. More spacious and village-y than a lot of surrounding areas, especially considering it's zone four.

    Check train times here:
    http://www.thetrainline.com/buytickets/

    Have a look at crime in an area here:
    http://www.police.uk/

    Area info available:
    http://www.upmystreet.com/
    There is no honour to be had in not knowing a thing that can be known - Danny Baker
  • Davesnave
    Davesnave Posts: 34,741 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Your title is very misleading.


    Most of us consider the South West to be this:


    y4hg_mapSWengland800.jpg
  • Milerix
    Milerix Posts: 25 Forumite
    Davesnave wrote: »
    Your title is very misleading.


    Most of us consider the South West to be this:


    Apologies and happy to amend! I've recently looked at the map that called the area you pictured as West of England. What shall I rename to! :)
  • Davesnave wrote: »
    Your title is very misleading.


    Most of us consider the South West to be this:


    y4hg_mapSWengland800.jpg

    Gotta agree with you Dave...

    There was me thinking a BA postcode and I knew you would be a little more SW than me!
    in S 38 T 2 F 50
    out S 36 T 9 F 24 FF 4

    2017-32 2018 -33 2019 -21 2020 -5 2021 -4 2022
  • Milerix
    Milerix Posts: 25 Forumite
    zagubov wrote: »
    My vote's on New Malden.
    two-bed flats/maisonettes with off-road parking available for £400k. Some have private gardens.
    Good shops Waitrose, Tesco, big stores, trains ( six an hour about 30 minutes to waterloo) running into the small hours (last train home at 12.30), fast bus to Heathrow (1 hour) Croydon Centre (40 minutes), Kingston town centre and Wimbledon both easily accessible by train. Close to A3 and can be on the M25 in half an hour.
    Good schools, leafy village-y feel, low crime. More spacious and village-y than a lot of surrounding areas, especially considering it's zone four.

    Super useful, thank you!
  • Milerix
    Milerix Posts: 25 Forumite
    Used to live in Twyford. Great place with villagey feel. Decent commute as long as Paddington works for you.
    Thank you!
    Skiddaw1 wrote: »
    You could go out a little further (and get more bung for your buck) possibly. Didcot? Town is surprisingly nice, surrounding country is lovely and a very easy commute to Paddington.

    Paddington works ok if the train is very quick (which is why Twyford made the cut) but I need to get to the City so Waterloo is better. Our jobs are in quite different places so a lot is about finding that spot in the middle!
  • OldMusicGuy
    OldMusicGuy Posts: 1,768 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    You are looking in the South East. We have just moved from Berkshire to the South West (Somerset).

    Take a look at Wokingham, it's a nice suburban town on the Waterloo line, so Staines and Waterloo are easily accessible. We lived there for 20 years and enjoyed it.
  • zagubov
    zagubov Posts: 17,938 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Whether you're looking at Wokingham or New Malden one or both of you may depend on SouthWestern Railways.
    You can check season ticket costs here.
    There is no honour to be had in not knowing a thing that can be known - Danny Baker
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