Relocation recommendation in Surrey/Sussexes/Hants +

[scenario8]

Help required.

We need to move to a cheaper area than SW London. We currently own a flat but need to move up to a house to start a family. The trouble is the price rises of the 90s/noughties have meant that even two decent earnings (around the national average) are insufficient to fund the purchase of a modest 3 bed semi type home in our neck of the woods.

In my position you might think I should know better but I'm happy to open it to a wider PH audience for suggestions as to where we should look.

Criteria;

SE counties starting in Surrey or W Sussex but open to ideas including Hants, the wrong Sussex, Kent (gulp)...even Essex
"Nice area"
Train links to London preferred
3 bed semis circa £230 - 250k.
Decent schooling should be considered, I suppose.

I was thinking Horsham? Pulborough? Billingshurst? Chichester (I quite like the idea of living near the sea again)?

All help appreciated, both pros and cons.

[scenario8]

Gratuitous, self indulgent, yet pleading nudge.

[Mojooo]

Basingstoke, hehe

I cannot help, I only know the rough areas!

I know Winchester fairly well but I am guessing its not a goer.

[Gareth79]

Guildford, Reigate, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge? Might struggle to get somewhere in a "nice" area with some (esp. Guildford), but possibly if you comprise.

I'm in Farnborough which has some nice areas (and plenty of bad ones), but isn't considered "nice" in general. edit: I don't think the schooling is up to much here either.

Edited by Gareth79 on Wednesday 27th October 01:05

[Phil C]

Try:

Haslemere, Liphook (once the Punchbowl work is finished), Camberley, Yateley, Bagshot, Fleet, Lightwater.......

[thegman]

Gareth79 said:

Guildford, Reigate, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge? Might struggle to get somewhere in a "nice" area with some (esp. Guildford), but possibly if you comprise.

I'm in Farnborough which has some nice areas (and plenty of bad ones), but isn't considered "nice" in general. edit: I don't think the schooling is up to much here either.

Edited by Gareth79 on Wednesday 27th October 01:05

IMO none of the places he mentions are much cheaper than most london boroughs. If you are living in chelsea you might be pleasantly suprised, but apart from that dont expect too much more for your money.

ETA - some of the places you mention - Horsham and further south are better value as they are not typical commuter towns due to slower rail services. (e.g. Horsham 1 hour 10 mins vs Sevenoaks - 25 mins)

Edited by thegman on Wednesday 27th October 08:21

[edc]

Try towns around the Guildford/Woking - Waterloo mainline. From these stations you are circa 30 mins train journey; e.g Send, Bisley. 3 bed semi in that budget though might mean you have to go further out towards Farnborough/Fleet/Hook into Hants. If you are happy to drive to the station then there are plenty of areas near to Farnborough station.

[FUBAR]

I live near Horsham. Nice town but you'd struggle to get a 'nice' house for your budget. Maybe in Southwater (2 stops further out on the train). Got loads of mates who commute back up to London, but as said, its about an hour.

FYI here's a link to a local paper with a property section http://issuu.com/theresident/docs/22102010/43