Where house prices are still rising and easy to commute to London?

Miranda25

Emmia said:

Miranda25 said:

I am travelling to London Bridge 1-2 times per week but could be more often (depends on requirements).
Yes I am looking at houses within walking distance to the train station (lets say 1 mile) which narrowing my options even more.
As I always lived in London, ideally I would like the town with all facilities around like shopping, gym, dance classes....
I do a lot of food shopping in Marks & Spencer and Waitrose and would probably struggle if small towns would not have those shops with good variety.
I do not care too much about pubs, restaurants as I am getting a lot of it when I am going on holidays.
Thank you 

I'd look at places that are on a direct national rail route to London Bridge (or the national rail station nearest work). You'll save a fair bit of money if your commute doesn't include the tube too. 

Have you looked at places like Reigate or Redhill? Or Merstham? 

Are you willing to trade down the grocery shopping locations - to Tesco, Sainsbury's, Aldi, Lidl etc.? Buying can be a bit of a trade-off; what are the "must have's" and what are the "nice to have"? 

For us, the "must" was private outside space (but it's a large patio, rather than an actual garden) and either a kitchen/diner or a lounge/diner - not a kitchen/lounge/diner where it is all in the same room.

We have a separate (but small) kitchen, two-bed, two-bath (but no ensuite - another compromise), and it's a flat rather than a house... 

The next spot, will have an actual garden, and will be a freehold house - but to achieve that, compromises may be made in terms of location (currently zone 2, a 3 minute walk from the nearest tube), size of kitchen, state of the property... 

Thank you Emmia.

Reigate does not have direct trains to London Bridge (there is one change).
Redhill - I am looking at it and other towns on the line Brighton - London Bridge.

Shops - no, it would be really hard for me. Majority of my shopping coming from Waitrose and M&S.

I am also looking at articles like this:

https://www.housebeautiful.com/uk/lifestyle/property/a30426661/best-london-commuter-towns/

Plus at articles about where the house prices are still rising.

And trying to combine all this information into making decision about the best place for me to purchase within my budget.

Not sure if this is a correct approach. But for me the "must" is the possibility to sell the house in the future (should be nice house in a desirable location as I understand).

I am trying to figure out desirable location for local people (within my budget) as I am originally not from the UK.

Thank you.

Miranda25

jimbog said:

two bedroomed house in Milton Keynes. East West raillink has been approved between Oxford and Cambridge and the latter is quickly establishing itself as the UK Silicon Valley

Thank you for the map. Good idea as I did not think about it before.

Miranda25

jimbog said:

two bedroomed house in Milton Keynes. East West raillink has been approved between Oxford and Cambridge and the latter is quickly establishing itself as the UK Silicon Valley

where the map disappeared? can you post it again please?

Miranda25

TisMeBill said:

As a resident of Tunbridge Wells, I would suggest Tonbridge as a better option, two stations nearer to London, twice as many trains as the Ashford line goes through there as well. House prices are also a bit lower as historically TW has been regarded as more desirable, but one look around the shopping areas of TW and you will see so many empty premises it seems to be dying a slow death as a town, Tonbridge appears more on the up to me.

and Tonbridge has Waitrose :-))

TisMeBill

If Waitrose is high priority for you, then you could consider Paddock Wood, one stop from Tonbridge on the Ashford line, two direct trains an hour direct to London Bridge, more during peak times. There’s a Waitrose very close to the station and you would get more for you money than in Tunbridge Wells or Tonbridge.

RelievedSheff

I certainly don't think I would be basing my choice of house on whether there is a Waitrose or M&S near it!!

jimbog

Miranda25 said:

jimbog said:

two bedroomed house in Milton Keynes. East West raillink has been approved between Oxford and Cambridge and the latter is quickly establishing itself as the UK Silicon Valley

where the map disappeared? can you post it again please?

Here you are:
http://www.kevinlaurence.net/googlemaps/waitrose.html

hazyjo

Can you let us know your actual budget? Will have a think about areas - I've lived in SE and E London, and parts of Essex and stayed in Kent a lot.

In your shoes, I'd definitely choose a line that actually stops at London Bridge. Plus - you'll need to do lots of research as to season ticket prices.

When you say you'll sell 'in the future' - how far ahead are you thinking? Decades, or a couple of years?

Miranda25

RelievedSheff said:

I certainly don't think I would be basing my choice of house on whether there is a Waitrose or M&S near it!!

then my approach is unique :-))

Anyway, my choice is based on several criteria:

- to be able to sell it in the future (property should be in desirable area)
- should be safe area
- to be able to commute to London couple of times per week
- to have all facilities around (as I am a city girl and never lived in countryside)
- to be able to purchase quality food on a daily basis as we are what we eat :-))

It would be much easier for me to buy a flat in London instead of trying to figure out desirable areas for local people :-))

BUT:
1. I really do not understand all these tricks around ground rent above £250 which could lead to your flat becoming unsellable in the future.
2. I think nobody buying flats in London as I can see a lot of them advertised for many months and I am trying to avoid this situation by looking ahead.

Thank you.

Miranda25

RelievedSheff said:

I certainly don't think I would be basing my choice of house on whether there is a Waitrose or M&S near it!!

According to Savills, properties located within the same postcode as a Waitrose outlet are on average 25% more expensive than the average property in their county.