Moving out of London to South Bucks/Surrey
Discussion
Hi everyone,
I need advice please regarding moving out of London. I will try to keep it concise:
We (me, my wife and a young baby) are renting a 2 bed in Hampstead. I commute to work in Canary Wharf every day, my wife is mainly working from home and she has family in Acton. We've been looking at places outside of London for probably 2 years now and in earnest for approximately 6 months. House prices have gone up 10-15% now unfortunately but we've both been lucky at work so the budget has gone up quite substantially as well now.
So far we've mainly looked around Beaconsfield because a) the reputation of the schooling system around there, b) the proximity to Acton and c) I love the Thames Valley area and in general it's easy to drive to the countryside for walks etc from there. The commute time for me would probably add up to 1h 15mins, which I am not keen on especially with a drive to the station in the morning plus then it's a train to Marylebone, a walk to Baker Street and the tube to CW. Lots of things that could go wrong there and quite a faff, I'd much rather just walk to the station and then not have a walk in between train and tube as well.
So now we've extended our search to Surrey and I've so far been looking at Esher, Cobham and Oxshott. I find it quite difficult to find nice properties because most of the time the price per square foot seems really ridiculous/the garden is small or the house is near some busy road. I am absolutely allergic to noise and that also defeats the point of moving outside to just be somewhere noisy.
Are there some other areas you could recommend in Surrey or so where there are decent travel times to central London, good schools, nice neighbourhoods and where it's quiet?
Around Sutton looks a lot cheaper and has decent links, or e.g. Cheam. Also what is it like in e.g. Walton on Thames vs Cobham, are those areas very different? Any suggestions are highly welcome!
I need advice please regarding moving out of London. I will try to keep it concise:
We (me, my wife and a young baby) are renting a 2 bed in Hampstead. I commute to work in Canary Wharf every day, my wife is mainly working from home and she has family in Acton. We've been looking at places outside of London for probably 2 years now and in earnest for approximately 6 months. House prices have gone up 10-15% now unfortunately but we've both been lucky at work so the budget has gone up quite substantially as well now.
So far we've mainly looked around Beaconsfield because a) the reputation of the schooling system around there, b) the proximity to Acton and c) I love the Thames Valley area and in general it's easy to drive to the countryside for walks etc from there. The commute time for me would probably add up to 1h 15mins, which I am not keen on especially with a drive to the station in the morning plus then it's a train to Marylebone, a walk to Baker Street and the tube to CW. Lots of things that could go wrong there and quite a faff, I'd much rather just walk to the station and then not have a walk in between train and tube as well.
So now we've extended our search to Surrey and I've so far been looking at Esher, Cobham and Oxshott. I find it quite difficult to find nice properties because most of the time the price per square foot seems really ridiculous/the garden is small or the house is near some busy road. I am absolutely allergic to noise and that also defeats the point of moving outside to just be somewhere noisy.
Are there some other areas you could recommend in Surrey or so where there are decent travel times to central London, good schools, nice neighbourhoods and where it's quiet?
Around Sutton looks a lot cheaper and has decent links, or e.g. Cheam. Also what is it like in e.g. Walton on Thames vs Cobham, are those areas very different? Any suggestions are highly welcome!
Would a Kent option work better for CW, schools and (maybe) better value?
What is the budget and house requirement?
Walton is well connected but certainly the poorer cousin to Weybridge, Cobham and Esher (with a few exceptions as there are a few private roads etc). Of course it’s still fairly pleasant down by the river but certainly noticeably more downmarket than the others. Not sure on schools but I always got the feeling of Weybridge, Esher and Cobham that most people were paying for it so it was of less concern.
What is the budget and house requirement?
Walton is well connected but certainly the poorer cousin to Weybridge, Cobham and Esher (with a few exceptions as there are a few private roads etc). Of course it’s still fairly pleasant down by the river but certainly noticeably more downmarket than the others. Not sure on schools but I always got the feeling of Weybridge, Esher and Cobham that most people were paying for it so it was of less concern.
okgo said:
Would a Kent option work better for CW, schools and (maybe) better value?
That is ertainly better for CW, but then it's too far from Acton and the mother in law is helping out with the baby. Also my parents live abroad so proximity to Heathrow is a big plus (or at least not living on the other side of London).okgo said:
What is the budget and house requirement?
Budget is up to £3.25m but I'd prefer £3m or just under. The house should be around 5000 sqft and have decent outside space, a plot of at least 0.5 acres but preferably bigger. One would think that sth nice in Oxshott for example would be available at that price point but prices have gone up a lot and I am not keen on spending £3m and then having to do up the kitchen and bathrooms.okgo said:
Walton is well connected but certainly the poorer cousin to Weybridge, Cobham and Esher (with a few exceptions as there are a few private roads etc). Of course it’s still fairly pleasant down by the river but certainly noticeably more downmarket than the others. Not sure on schools but I always got the feeling of Weybridge, Esher and Cobham that most people were paying for it so it was of less concern.
That's good to know, thank you!Have you considered the Reading area? When(if?) CrossRail ever completes then the CW journey will be easy - as is Acton by train/car.
Prices have gone up because of CrossRail though. We live near Theale - great fast trains and countryside.
I grew up in South Bucks - I actually prefer it out here
Prices have gone up because of CrossRail though. We live near Theale - great fast trains and countryside.
I grew up in South Bucks - I actually prefer it out here
Example property in Pangbourne with your rather tasty budget: https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/109419245#/
arbit said:
I am not keen on spending £3m and then having to do up the kitchen and bathrooms.
From what I observe, the average £3 mm / 5k sqft country house (that you might actually want to buy) is being sold by a downsizing couple in their early 70s. They've probably lived there 25 years or more and all the renovations they did when they moved in (Smallbone kitchen etc) are not especially fashionable any more.I think it comes with the territory - the good thing is that you only need to spend a relatively small fraction of the purchase price to get it looking smart.
We're in Epsom Downs near the racecourse and there's some very nice property round here where you can blend edge of countryside (North Downs) with decent amenities and transport. Sutton itself is a bit grim but you can go not too far south Cheam/Kingswood/Walton and still use that train link. You can get into Docklands via the Overground with a change at West Croydon or London Bridge. Its Zone 6 too. Epsom Downs station is also Z6 but Epsom (town) isn't. Ashtead is also quite decent for property. £3M will get you something very nice.
M25 is easily accessible and we're half way between Heathrow & Gatwick. Schools are very good in this area (Epsom has state schools in the top 100 in the UK for attainment at GCSE but you'd need to be less than 2 miles distant to get in). If you're into private there's a wealth of choice.
Biggest problem is probably the millions of cyclists clogging the Downs
I don't get the Oxshott thing, its all pose and no substance to me.
M25 is easily accessible and we're half way between Heathrow & Gatwick. Schools are very good in this area (Epsom has state schools in the top 100 in the UK for attainment at GCSE but you'd need to be less than 2 miles distant to get in). If you're into private there's a wealth of choice.
Biggest problem is probably the millions of cyclists clogging the Downs
I don't get the Oxshott thing, its all pose and no substance to me.
Dorking area?
Great little town with good train links. Plenty of the usual restaurants, bars etc.
Prices seem to go up exponentially so our 6 bed 2 acre, 3 double garage house bordering NT woodland is a bargain at half your budget just outside of Dorking.
Yes, I am older, will downsize one day and the kitchen is dated! goes with the territory!
Sutton generally is a dump. I used to live in Cheam just down the road. Some beautiful places there but if you want genuine countryside, move out 10 miles......
Great little town with good train links. Plenty of the usual restaurants, bars etc.
Prices seem to go up exponentially so our 6 bed 2 acre, 3 double garage house bordering NT woodland is a bargain at half your budget just outside of Dorking.
Yes, I am older, will downsize one day and the kitchen is dated! goes with the territory!
Sutton generally is a dump. I used to live in Cheam just down the road. Some beautiful places there but if you want genuine countryside, move out 10 miles......
There’s on on Meadway in Esher for 3.2m, looks quite pleasant. Nice plot, 4200sqft. Pool. A private road so very quiet, may have a little road noise from a3 but probably fine as it’s all woods between house and road.
Tbf I think it’s the best road going in the area unless you can/have the desire to be on St. George’s Hill (budget a bit light I think). Have the common/woods literally out the end of the road and great links to the big roads and Oxshott station not far away. Esher High st is a bit provincial vs London but it’s not too bad compared to Cobham and Weybridge.
Meadway, Esher, Surrey, KT10
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property/91101091
I quite like this style but seems everything gets ripped down and Octagon build some identikit mansion on the plot.
Tbf I think it’s the best road going in the area unless you can/have the desire to be on St. George’s Hill (budget a bit light I think). Have the common/woods literally out the end of the road and great links to the big roads and Oxshott station not far away. Esher High st is a bit provincial vs London but it’s not too bad compared to Cobham and Weybridge.
Meadway, Esher, Surrey, KT10
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property/91101091
I quite like this style but seems everything gets ripped down and Octagon build some identikit mansion on the plot.
Edited by okgo on Saturday 26th June 12:11
Edited by okgo on Saturday 26th June 12:16
Train service from Cobham and Oxshott is not that great in comparison with Walton / Weybridge/ Esher which may or may not be important to you.
Most people find the estates nice (Crown Estate, Burwood Park, Ashley Park, St George's Hill) but you will start around 2.5m+ and probably need work/updating. And if you want to walk to a station, it's likely to be a long way as you first have to walk out of the estate!
PS I live in an Octagon house so my taste / opinion may be worthless!
Most people find the estates nice (Crown Estate, Burwood Park, Ashley Park, St George's Hill) but you will start around 2.5m+ and probably need work/updating. And if you want to walk to a station, it's likely to be a long way as you first have to walk out of the estate!
PS I live in an Octagon house so my taste / opinion may be worthless!
Edited by CharlesElliott on Saturday 26th June 12:30
Gerrard's Cross?
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/109467461?u...
I'm more central bucks but I think it's a great county and you won't go wrong with the main towns in south bucks popular with those commuting into London.
Personal preference is the Wendover area in the Chilterns for some of the best Buckinghamshire countryside. (Wendover woods and Coombe Hill) so it might be worth seeing if Amersham and Great Missenden work for you in terms of train journey time. They also might put you in the catchment area for the local grammar school's
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/109467461?u...
I'm more central bucks but I think it's a great county and you won't go wrong with the main towns in south bucks popular with those commuting into London.
Personal preference is the Wendover area in the Chilterns for some of the best Buckinghamshire countryside. (Wendover woods and Coombe Hill) so it might be worth seeing if Amersham and Great Missenden work for you in terms of train journey time. They also might put you in the catchment area for the local grammar school's
I didn’t mean an offence by that. Just not my cup of tea. I follow a certain KF estate agent on Instagram and it’s staggering how many houses they sell that are from a small handful of developers in the prime market, I’d imagine 80% of the houses off Fairmile Lane are from 2-3 developers and have similar appearance
okgo said:
I didn’t mean an offence by that. Just not my cup of tea. I follow a certain KF estate agent on Instagram and it’s staggering how many houses they sell that are from a small handful of developers in the prime market, I’d imagine 80% of the houses off Fairmile Lane are from 2-3 developers and have similar appearance
No problem, I didn't take offence! They are a great builder but it is a shame that they have a very similar look (even though they promise that no two are ever the 'same'). Estate agents in this area each have a segment of the market to themselves and so you do see a lot of similar properties moving through them!
Water Lane has seen a lot of development in the last couple of years although they seemed to struggle to sell them. They are a long way from the station like most places in Cobham but maybe that will matter less and less in the future.
What do you value in a house?
The local 40 acre small holding near us (Maidenhead area) has recently sold for 2.25M. Massive planning footprint, 5 bed house is liveable in, but ultimately should be flattened to start again.
If you like McMansions, there are loads between 1 and 2 M. I’d rather die than live in one, but some people like them.
We bought our place 12 years ago - 10 acres, no neighbours, for less than a million. Probably spent the same again making the house perfect.
The local 40 acre small holding near us (Maidenhead area) has recently sold for 2.25M. Massive planning footprint, 5 bed house is liveable in, but ultimately should be flattened to start again.
If you like McMansions, there are loads between 1 and 2 M. I’d rather die than live in one, but some people like them.
We bought our place 12 years ago - 10 acres, no neighbours, for less than a million. Probably spent the same again making the house perfect.
Oh wow, thanks for all the replies so far!
Also e.g. Maidenhead or Reading start being quite far away so that even with Crossrail journey times aren't that fast and without Crossrail it's a real problem.
While spending 150k or so on kitchen and bathrooms might not seem a lot relative to the property price I am not keen on putting more equity into the property that way. Rather have sth half decent and only pay 25% on it and borrow the rest via mortgage and then do it up once part of the house is paid down.
Guildford is another possibility as the trains into London are quite fast.
Puggit said:
Have you considered the Reading area? When(if?) CrossRail ever completes then the CW journey will be easy - as is Acton by train/car.
Yes, I've looked quite a lot re Crossrail and sth like Stoke Poges seemed like a good idea but then we went to a local pub/villages around there and it's not our scene really. I don't think the vicinity to Slough does the areas any favours. Crossrail seems to be a rolling 2y forward, so I can't rely on that. Also e.g. Maidenhead or Reading start being quite far away so that even with Crossrail journey times aren't that fast and without Crossrail it's a real problem.
NickCQ said:
From what I observe, the average £3 mm / 5k sqft country house (that you might actually want to buy) is being sold by a downsizing couple in their early 70s. They've probably lived there 25 years or more and all the renovations they did when they moved in (Smallbone kitchen etc) are not especially fashionable any more.
I think it comes with the territory - the good thing is that you only need to spend a relatively small fraction of the purchase price to get it looking smart.
I agree I have observed that as well. Strangely the shoddy state is most of the time not at all reflected in the price. Also one major problem is that these places tend to have decent grounds and my guess is that developers are driving up the price when sth has e.g. 1 acre or slightly more in a desirable area. Since we just had a baby and soon we will probably have another one, a major redevelopment is sth that is not on the cards at the moment.I think it comes with the territory - the good thing is that you only need to spend a relatively small fraction of the purchase price to get it looking smart.
While spending 150k or so on kitchen and bathrooms might not seem a lot relative to the property price I am not keen on putting more equity into the property that way. Rather have sth half decent and only pay 25% on it and borrow the rest via mortgage and then do it up once part of the house is paid down.
Speed 3 said:
We're in Epsom Downs near the racecourse and there's some very nice property round here where you can blend edge of countryside (North Downs) with decent amenities and transport. Sutton itself is a bit grim but you can go not too far south Cheam/Kingswood/Walton and still use that train link.
Thanks, I shall look into that more.edc said:
Try somewhere on the line into Waterloo then Jubilee to CW.
Done a few viewings around Worplesdon. In general Chobham seems very nice but there is not a lot of supply. Woking seems to best be avoided. Guildford is another possibility as the trains into London are quite fast.
phazed said:
Dorking area?
That doesn't work unfortunately as the trains take about 1h.Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff