Where to live within 2 hours of Amersham, Bucks?
Discussion
Despite it being a fab place to live, I'm geting decidedly naffed off at the lack of decent property at decent prices where I am in Poole. It seems anything decent (and a lot that is less than decent) has a price tag north of £1M whereas I'd prefer to spend no more than £750K and ideally £650K or less.
After selling my last place I thought I'd have no problem finding something, especially in the economic climate and being a cash buyer, but I've now been renting for 3 years. I was originally looking for a plot but am now also considering a new property/renovation project. I have no kids so all I need is 3 beds, decent garden and large garage but I also want something with real quality and good design hence my ideal plan to self-build. I don't think I'm asking too much but it seems to be a losing battle round here.
So I'm seriously considering a move to get better value for money and to put an end to my search as I really just want to settle.
So..if the only criteria is that I'd like to remain within 2 hours (3-4 at a push for something exceptional) of my parents in Bucks where would anyone recommend that offers better value for money, availability of good plots or property, some decent cafe life/restaurants within 15 minutes in a taxi and is a "decent" part of the country (low crime).
Does this place exist or am I just going to have to continue my search around Poole?
Mucho gracias!
After selling my last place I thought I'd have no problem finding something, especially in the economic climate and being a cash buyer, but I've now been renting for 3 years. I was originally looking for a plot but am now also considering a new property/renovation project. I have no kids so all I need is 3 beds, decent garden and large garage but I also want something with real quality and good design hence my ideal plan to self-build. I don't think I'm asking too much but it seems to be a losing battle round here.
So I'm seriously considering a move to get better value for money and to put an end to my search as I really just want to settle.
So..if the only criteria is that I'd like to remain within 2 hours (3-4 at a push for something exceptional) of my parents in Bucks where would anyone recommend that offers better value for money, availability of good plots or property, some decent cafe life/restaurants within 15 minutes in a taxi and is a "decent" part of the country (low crime).
Does this place exist or am I just going to have to continue my search around Poole?
Mucho gracias!
Within 3-4hrs of Amersham doesn't narrow things down much!
Where else do you need to be near. Work? Friends? Is the coast particularly appealing?
The need for 3 beds and a large garage for that money rules out London and many of the better suburbs. But other than that, there are plenty of nice places to be all over the shop.
Where else do you need to be near. Work? Friends? Is the coast particularly appealing?
The need for 3 beds and a large garage for that money rules out London and many of the better suburbs. But other than that, there are plenty of nice places to be all over the shop.
Parents are sprightly 70 year olds and come to see me often so the 2 hours is more for their commute to me.
I work from home so can be anywhere and have friends dotted all around so no need to be any one place. I love the coast but also love the countryside.
Thanks for the tips so far - having the whole country as a possibility is great but also makes my search problematic as it's difficult choosing specifics!
I work from home so can be anywhere and have friends dotted all around so no need to be any one place. I love the coast but also love the countryside.
Thanks for the tips so far - having the whole country as a possibility is great but also makes my search problematic as it's difficult choosing specifics!
bogie said:
2 hours by car or train?
...2 hours by car and you could live pretty much anywhere south of Leeds these days !
By car and excatly ... hence my dilemma....2 hours by car and you could live pretty much anywhere south of Leeds these days !
I love it where I am but the house thing plus a desire for a change means I have itchy feet. So with the whole of England and Wales south of Leeds as a (large) target I was just trying to see if anyone would say "you have to live in X as it's got a,b,c"
I'm guessing not
garyhun said:
By car and excatly ... hence my dilemma.
I love it where I am but the house thing plus a desire for a change means I have itchy feet. So with the whole of England and Wales south of Leeds as a (large) target I was just trying to see if anyone would say "you have to live in X as it's got a,b,c"
I'm guessing not
Without a much clearer idea of what a, b and c you require, it's hardly surprising. My a, b and c are pretty much satisfied by my location, but your requirements might be different. I love it where I am but the house thing plus a desire for a change means I have itchy feet. So with the whole of England and Wales south of Leeds as a (large) target I was just trying to see if anyone would say "you have to live in X as it's got a,b,c"
I'm guessing not
garyhun said:
Have to say the Meon valley has been ony radar before. Knowing nothing about the area why do you say this area?
It's a good mix of countryside and close to the coastline. Beautiful walks around Butser and the South Downs or a short trip to the beach. Petersfield has a couple of supermarkets and other amenities including a Farmer's Market along with a mainline station. The A3 is minutes away or the continental ferry ports 15 minute to the south.Well worth a mooch around and consideration.
singlecoil said:
Without a much clearer idea of what a, b and c you require, it's hardly surprising. My a, b and c are pretty much satisfied by my location, but your requirements might be different.
Apart from what I've put above (cafe/restaurants/value/low crime) I do not really have any real needs. I guess I was in cloud cuckoo land expecting any definitive replies but just getting a little desperate after searching 3 years down here 
GKP said:
It's a good mix of countryside and close to the coastline. Beautiful walks around Butser and the South Downs or a short trip to the beach. Petersfield has a couple of supermarkets and other amenities including a Farmer's Market along with a mainline station. The A3 is minutes away or the continental ferry ports 15 minute to the south.
Well worth a mooch around and consideration.
Thanks. I have the next 4 weeks off so intend getting more familiar with other areas. Any nice hotels over that way you'd recomemnd?Well worth a mooch around and consideration.
pmanson said:
Have you tried Mudeford/Christchurch?
My parents moved from Wendover to Mudeford a couple of years ago and love it
Oh yes looking all around where I am now! Funny, my parents are in Gt Missenden and my dad plays golf at Chiltern Forest Golf Club - so very local to Wendover.My parents moved from Wendover to Mudeford a couple of years ago and love it
singlecoil said:
North Bucks is a good deal cheaper than South Bucks, on average. And yet there are some nice places to live in the Vale of Aylesbury. Just be a bit careful planning your commute, some directions are easier to travel in than others.
And avoid the new incinerator (Tett's Folly) planned at Calvert and the HS2 line!garyhun said:
pmanson said:
Have you tried Mudeford/Christchurch?
My parents moved from Wendover to Mudeford a couple of years ago and love it
Oh yes looking all around where I am now! Funny, my parents are in Gt Missenden and my dad plays golf at Chiltern Forest Golf Club - so very local to Wendover.My parents moved from Wendover to Mudeford a couple of years ago and love it
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