Tell me about Marlow!
Discussion
Planning a move from Richmond (London) to somewhere where we can afford a proper house. Needs 3 bedrooms, driveway essential, garage or potential for covered parking/service area desirable (TVR also planned 
), schools, etc. The difficult bit is we also want to be walking distance from the town, for mumsy socialising, shops etc and evenings out when we get the chance. Budget 550k max to include renovation works. Wife and I have checked Marlow out the last weeks and looked at a few places - just canvassing for opinions really, what's good about it, not so good, things we probably haven't considered?
I commute to Slough (car), she to London (train) but will probably go part time or take a career break if we go for it.
), schools, etc. The difficult bit is we also want to be walking distance from the town, for mumsy socialising, shops etc and evenings out when we get the chance. Budget 550k max to include renovation works. Wife and I have checked Marlow out the last weeks and looked at a few places - just canvassing for opinions really, what's good about it, not so good, things we probably haven't considered?I commute to Slough (car), she to London (train) but will probably go part time or take a career break if we go for it.
Marlow is a great little town.
Housing stock is expensive and I'm unsure as to what £550k will buy you, as a renovation project, without knowing the age of the property you are seeking.
However, coming from Richmond, you'll be used to ridiculously priced property!
There are a few roads in the town which seem to be undergoing a bit of a refurb/rebuild bonanza.
School wise, there are a number of good state junior schools in and around, but the best are over subscribed. In terms of senior school, remember that Bucks retains the 11+ system. Marlow has 1 mixed selective and 1 mixed non selective senior schools. Both have good reputations. Just outside of Marlow, there are a number of alternatives to both. RGS High Wycombe for boys and Wycombe High for girls are both within striking distance and extremely well regarded.
There is a huge choice of sport activity available, with many junior football clubs, along with clubs for rugby, cricket, netball, hockey, rowing, triathlon, open water swimming, kayaking, running, athletics etc etc. it's an active place.
The High Street and environs has the usual chain coffee shops, a couple of independents and a traditional one too. A couple of supermarkets and plenty of opportunity for a lady to buy a dress and get her hair done!
The train station is on the end of a branch line to Maidenhead, so the prospect of Crossrail is helping to push prices up.
5 minutes to the M40 on a good day, an hour on a very bad(rare) day. M4 is a bit further, but Slough can be done cross country, quite easily.
I lived in Marlow for many years and now live around 3 miles outside, where my money buys me about 25% more house for the same money.
PM me for some detailed info if you like. Or would happily meet up to show you where are the good streets and roads to live.
Housing stock is expensive and I'm unsure as to what £550k will buy you, as a renovation project, without knowing the age of the property you are seeking.
However, coming from Richmond, you'll be used to ridiculously priced property!
There are a few roads in the town which seem to be undergoing a bit of a refurb/rebuild bonanza.
School wise, there are a number of good state junior schools in and around, but the best are over subscribed. In terms of senior school, remember that Bucks retains the 11+ system. Marlow has 1 mixed selective and 1 mixed non selective senior schools. Both have good reputations. Just outside of Marlow, there are a number of alternatives to both. RGS High Wycombe for boys and Wycombe High for girls are both within striking distance and extremely well regarded.
There is a huge choice of sport activity available, with many junior football clubs, along with clubs for rugby, cricket, netball, hockey, rowing, triathlon, open water swimming, kayaking, running, athletics etc etc. it's an active place.
The High Street and environs has the usual chain coffee shops, a couple of independents and a traditional one too. A couple of supermarkets and plenty of opportunity for a lady to buy a dress and get her hair done!
The train station is on the end of a branch line to Maidenhead, so the prospect of Crossrail is helping to push prices up.
5 minutes to the M40 on a good day, an hour on a very bad(rare) day. M4 is a bit further, but Slough can be done cross country, quite easily.
I lived in Marlow for many years and now live around 3 miles outside, where my money buys me about 25% more house for the same money.
PM me for some detailed info if you like. Or would happily meet up to show you where are the good streets and roads to live.
Edited by Nobby Diesel on Sunday 16th August 02:39
Hello guys, thanks Nobby that's a really nice offer and one I think we'll take up in a few week's time. Bank holiday weekend will be our next visit, I'll send you a PM if we plan anything.
You are bang on about London property prices. We currently have a 2 bed garden flat in a row of what I guess were originally railway workers' cottages, our budget would just about buy it today - places like this seem to have doubled since 2008. If we want the kind of house we're looking for round here, we'd be talking well over 1m. In fact, the house 2 doors down sold for 1.2m earlier this year, that's a renovated and extended 2 up 2 down with little patio yard and no parking. I can't justify these sorts of prices!
Our budget seems to buy us pretty much anything we want in Marlow Bottom but wife feels its a bit isolated. Closer to Marlow proper I've looked at a few places, some are a little small or look 'a bit council' - the wife wants the house to look nice. I tell her its amazing what a some trellis and a bit of wisteria can do but she remains unconvinced. I'm hoping we can get a renovation project for around £500k and use the rest for immediate works (leaving TVR budget largely untouched!).
Any news of areas to avoid would be good, e.g. there's quite a lot around the bottom end of Dedmere Rd and North of the Sainsburys but it looks a bit rough, have we judged it right or are we being misled by the age of the housing? That's the kind of question we're trying to answer. As for town and area in general, yes, just like r.u.t.
You are bang on about London property prices. We currently have a 2 bed garden flat in a row of what I guess were originally railway workers' cottages, our budget would just about buy it today - places like this seem to have doubled since 2008. If we want the kind of house we're looking for round here, we'd be talking well over 1m. In fact, the house 2 doors down sold for 1.2m earlier this year, that's a renovated and extended 2 up 2 down with little patio yard and no parking. I can't justify these sorts of prices!
Our budget seems to buy us pretty much anything we want in Marlow Bottom but wife feels its a bit isolated. Closer to Marlow proper I've looked at a few places, some are a little small or look 'a bit council' - the wife wants the house to look nice. I tell her its amazing what a some trellis and a bit of wisteria can do but she remains unconvinced. I'm hoping we can get a renovation project for around £500k and use the rest for immediate works (leaving TVR budget largely untouched!).
Any news of areas to avoid would be good, e.g. there's quite a lot around the bottom end of Dedmere Rd and North of the Sainsburys but it looks a bit rough, have we judged it right or are we being misled by the age of the housing? That's the kind of question we're trying to answer. As for town and area in general, yes, just like r.u.t.
Look at Marlow Bottom as well, less busy than Marlow and still a proper community with the added bonus of a great Micro Brewery;-)
Oh and if your planning a TVR, STR8SIX is just up the road.
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/prope...
Oh and if your planning a TVR, STR8SIX is just up the road.
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/prope...
Edited by gruffalo on Friday 21st August 16:36
We basically want to be within walking distance of the town centre in a house that is easy on the eye. wife would say 30s but realistically that's probably out of budget .
We've looked at Marlow Bottom and that area does tick all the boxes except the close yo town one. She's thinking of getting into town with a 3 year old and infant and doesn't want to be limited by parking etc. Find a space, is it big enough etc etc.
We've looked at Marlow Bottom and that area does tick all the boxes except the close yo town one. She's thinking of getting into town with a 3 year old and infant and doesn't want to be limited by parking etc. Find a space, is it big enough etc etc.
Edited by goneape on Saturday 22 August 06:56
Gerrards Cross definitely not in budget! Beaconsfield heading that way too, the only things we've seen that meet muster are around £600k which is at least £50k too much. Amersham is possible but there seems to be a bit of an issue with HS2. Personally I don't mind but it looks like the wrong time to buy (unless it's served, but I don't think it is). Cheers for the recommendations, we're open to ideas.
Thread maintenance. Having had an offer accepted in Marlow Bottom in October and subsequently having to pull out, we canned everything over the winter and now feel we probably can't afford the area without Mrs 2gins having to work, which doesn't work as she's based in central London. Keeping an eye on things but our budget only really gets us into the rough end of town, which is no place for a Cerbera.
Cheers for the responses and to Nigel for meeting up that afternoon
Cheers for the responses and to Nigel for meeting up that afternoon
I know of at least one TVR owner who lives in the wrong end of town, me!In budget, 3 bed semi with off street parking and a garage. Garden looks decent enough and looks over fields to the rear.
I don't know much about the road but could certainly find out a lot more info if it's of interest.
In need of updating which can be a positive/opportunity to add value.
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/prope...
I don't know much about the road but could certainly find out a lot more info if it's of interest.
In need of updating which can be a positive/opportunity to add value.
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/prope...
youngnick said:
2gins said:
Cerbera near the top of the valley?
3000M, Marlow townPS I couldn't afford to live in Marlow (well, buy my own property) right end or wrong end!
2gins said:
Thread maintenance. Having had an offer accepted in Marlow Bottom in October and subsequently having to pull out, we canned everything over the winter and now feel we probably can't afford the area without Mrs 2gins having to work, which doesn't work as she's based in central London. Keeping an eye on things but our budget only really gets us into the rough end of town, which is no place for a Cerbera.
Cheers for the responses and to Nigel for meeting up that afternoon
I don't think a Cerbera is going to raise any eyebrows anywhere in Marlow; you'd be perfectly safe.Cheers for the responses and to Nigel for meeting up that afternoon
gruffalo said:
Look at Marlow Bottom as well, less busy than Marlow and still a proper community with the added bonus of a great Micro Brewery;-)
Oh and if your planning a TVR, STR8SIX is just up the road.
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/prope...
I live in Marlow Bottom. It's a great little village, we've been there for over 10 years and can't imagine moving away from the Marlow area. Good primary school and grammar schools etc. I commute to London on the train from High Wycombe which is quick, easy and reliable.Oh and if your planning a TVR, STR8SIX is just up the road.
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/prope...
Edited by gruffalo on Friday 21st August 16:36
Your budget might be a little low but should be OK for 3 beds. PM me if you want any specific questions answered.
We moved here from London and my wife was concerned about having no local friends etc, it now seems we're unable to leave the front door without bumping into someone she knows
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