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

subjecttocontract

The title suggests that the OP wants an easy commute to London. I find it hard to believe that a journey from North Essex to London could be described as easy.

hazyjo

Miranda25 said:

subjecttocontract said:

Basildon, Essex. 35 minutes from Fenchurch Street. Plenty of affordable homes. Definitely recommend that you take a look.

Would be Southend-on-Sea more desirable area then Basildon please? (as a coastal town)

You should look at Leigh-on-Sea (where I live). I'd not consider either of the above.

Yes, there is a Waitrose.

Without a budget, I can't help you. What's your max?

Easy 43+ mins into Fen St - you'll get a seat each way. That does mean a 20 min walk to London Bridge though!

Miranda25

Leigh-on-Sea and Southend-on-Sea are neighboors. What makes Leigh-on-Sea much better? (I am just curious).

Budget today £280k. It can be £300k in one year time.

I have another dilemma which I did not consider before:
I did not realize that transport infrastructure does not develop outside of London.
Today had chat with a colleague at work and realized that I need to drive if I want to live somewhere outside of London.

I am confused now what to do (as I am not sure how quickly can pass exams and have driving license).

Miranda25

Anybody can tell me please or refer to the thread at forum - what people do in this situation:

"Onerous levels of ground rent and specific clauses can wreak havoc with the saleability of a leasehold property.

This mainly causes issues with mortgage lenders not releasing funds due to astronomical ground rent charges, now and those that increase in the not so distant future."

This scares me and stop me from buying a flat in London. Or there are ways around it?
Thank you.

mark_cycling00

You're worried about lots!!! It's ok it's very common and totally understandable.

Basically, there is no perfect place waiting to be discovered.

There's no pretty, safe town with quick, cheap and frequent trains to London, lots of arts, culture, public transport that any of us can afford.

Instead focus on what you don't need that most other people insist on having and look for that.

That way you'll find something affordable where you'll be happy.

Eg. If you move to the countryside and don't need a local pub, farm shop, connection to gas and drainage, then you pretty much pay half price for the same property and land

london21

Miranda25 said:

Leigh-on-Sea and Southend-on-Sea are neighboors. What makes Leigh-on-Sea much better? (I am just curious).

Budget today £280k. It can be £300k in one year time.

I have another dilemma which I did not consider before:
I did not realize that transport infrastructure does not develop outside of London.
Today had chat with a colleague at work and realized that I need to drive if I want to live somewhere outside of London.

I am confused now what to do (as I am not sure how quickly can pass exams and have driving license).

Public transport outside London not the best. Buses can be infrequent and stop by 7pm in some areas. 

Hard to find the perfect area and property, will have to make some compromise and focus on what is important to you. 

Noneforit999

Miranda25 said:

Leigh-on-Sea and Southend-on-Sea are neighboors. What makes Leigh-on-Sea much better? (I am just curious).

Budget today £280k. It can be £300k in one year time.

I have another dilemma which I did not consider before:
I did not realize that transport infrastructure does not develop outside of London.
Today had chat with a colleague at work and realized that I need to drive if I want to live somewhere outside of London.

I am confused now what to do (as I am not sure how quickly can pass exams and have driving license).

This is partially true, public transport outside London is nowhere near as good but its not non existent. It really depends on where you want to live. If you want village life then you are likely to need to drive but if you are happy in a town, you just need to find one which is close to a train station and bus stops.

We live in a village, the nearest train station is 3 miles and buses are hourly to the local town so we have two cars. However this is what we wanted. I drive to the location station and can be at my desk near Moorgate in 75 minutes from leaving my house. 

We could have moved to the local town where there are many buses and a train station. Bear in mind, public transport outside of London finishes well before midnight mostly. You may find you want to have a car once you move outside London, its far easier to own one and parking is usually easier, plus you have more freedom and it means you can pop places quicker.

Personally I would be looking somewhere that intersects with a Crossrail or Tube station if you need to work in London. We live in Kent which used to be 90-100 minutes to work, then crossrail came along and because our line goes through Abbey wood and I can change there, it shaved nearly 25 minutes off my journey each way and the cost works out cheaper as I can tap in there.   

Miranda25

I am happy in a town as I never lived in villages and grew up in a city.

Where about in Kent you are (if I can ask)? 
I am in Bromley/ Chislehurst now and really like it. Everything is very convenient. Ideally would like to find something similar (as I cannot afford house in that area).

Gavin83

Miranda25 said:

subjecttocontract said:

Basildon, Essex. 35 minutes from Fenchurch Street. Plenty of affordable homes. Definitely recommend that you take a look.

Would be Southend-on-Sea more desirable area then Basildon please? (as a coastal town)

I know this whole area quite well. I grew up in Romford, had grandparents in Basildon and now my nan is in a care home in Leigh-on-sea, so I'm spending a fair amount of time there too. Personally I'd have to be in a desperate situation to live in Romford again, Basildon or Southend. Leigh is definitely nicer than all the above.

I've also lived in a few other places in Essex, such as Loughton and Saffron Walden. Loughton is nice, if a little Towie but it's certainly not cheap and I think you'd struggle to find anything at your budget. Personally wasn't a fan of Saffron Walden and I couldn't wait to move out but a lot of people seem to like it. It's also not that cheap though and the transport links to London are very poor.

I now live in Cambridgeshire. It's a nice part of the World to live in but I wouldn't say it's easily commutable to London. It's doable for a day or two a week but anymore than that I'd say you need to look elsewhere.

If your plan is to travel into London via London Bridge I'd keep your search south, the Kent/Surrey areas. I know the Tunbridge Wells area (father in law lives there) which seems nice so if you can get something in that area for budget I think it's well worth a look. You'd need to check out the commute though. 

hazyjo

Miranda25 said:

Leigh-on-Sea and Southend-on-Sea are neighboors. What makes Leigh-on-Sea much better? (I am just curious).

Budget today £280k. It can be £300k in one year time.

I have another dilemma which I did not consider before:
I did not realize that transport infrastructure does not develop outside of London.
Today had chat with a colleague at work and realized that I need to drive if I want to live somewhere outside of London.

I am confused now what to do (as I am not sure how quickly can pass exams and have driving license).

Unfortunately Leigh's well out of budget. I'd stick to Tunbridge Wells (where I've previously considered) if you can get a small house there. Or consider a flat in a small block or conversion. I started off with 2 flats, nothing wrong with that.

I only use my car to head to the swimming pool or to see family. I take the train or walk everywhere else. EVERYTHING is on my doorstep (even the pool - I just don't like coming out 'cold/wet/looking a sight' while walking home!).

https://www.essexlive.news/whats-on/upmarket-seaside-town-thats-full-8177890