Which London commuter town?
Discussion
Du1point8 said:
BrabusMog said:
Du1point8 said:
NiceCupOfTea said:
BrabusMog said:
What about Brockley/Bromley? Sidcup? I have only passed through these areas but I've heard they're all quite nice.
I don't know Brockley but it's a fair bit further in. Bromley generally is pretty nice but there are less salubrious areas. If you don't mind driving to a station, Keston, Biggin Hill, etc. are also nice.Sidcup is OK, MIL lives there, although the area near the station isn't very nice. Cheaper to buy in though.
Southeastern to canada water to canary wharf
Southeastern to london bridge
Many more like that ranging from 30-38 minutes to central London.
It used to be a great place - I moved there about 15 years ago and it had a lovely village-y feel to it, but it has changed and is now a bit more south London-y IMHO. Other problem is the abundance of flats, lots of houses have been demolished or converted and it's quite expensive. If you look south towards Eden Park it's more affordable.
fido said:
Another reason why I moved closer to town. Much more choice around Wimbledon and Putney - where people a) don't need to get in a car to go shopping b) will pay a bit more for quality produce. The dross have moved further out as Hipsterfication spreads out from Cla'am and Wandsworth!
I can't get on with Wimbledon for some reason, always feels rough when I have been there, and it seems to be all chains around Centre Court and not much at all at the south end. I like Wimbledon Village, Southfields and parts of Putney, but I doubt my budget would ever run to living there!ziggy328 said:
I used to live in Thames Ditton, prices got stupid however so I cashed in and left. I moved to brighton, not cheap but cheaper. An hour on the train to Waterloo. I love it.
I like Thames Ditton, I used to play football there, probably one of the best "villagey" type places around SW London.BrabusMog said:
I like Thames Ditton, I used to play football there, probably one of the best "villagey" type places around SW London.
I agree, don't get me wrong lovely place if you can afford it £900K will get you 4 bed "just" bit more if you go to Hinchley Wood. It doesn't have a sea view, 600 bars and restaurants or a pier though. 
ziggy328 said:
I agree, don't get me wrong lovely place if you can afford it £900K will get you 4 bed "just" bit more if you go to Hinchley Wood. It doesn't have a sea view, 600 bars and restaurants or a pier though.
I love Brighton, and I'd definitely consider living there if we didn't both work in London..kingston12 said:
I love Brighton, and I'd definitely consider living there if we didn't both work in London..
I do work in London, but only 3 days a week, 2 from home. It's only an hour to Waterloo. I thought it would be a PITA but it really isn't. Especially in summer when you get off the train and decide to go straight to the Fortune of War bar on the beach rather than go home.Best think I ever did was get out of London after 15 years, it seems to be getting some investment recently too, new street lights, i360 etc etc.
ziggy328 said:
I do work in London, but only 3 days a week, 2 from home. It's only an hour to Waterloo. I thought it would be a PITA but it really isn't. Especially in summer when you get off the train and decide to go straight to the Fortune of War bar on the beach rather than go home.
Best think I ever did was get out of London after 15 years, it seems to be getting some investment recently too, new street lights, i360 etc etc.
Sounds great!Best think I ever did was get out of London after 15 years, it seems to be getting some investment recently too, new street lights, i360 etc etc.
Problem for me is that it is a 5 day a week commute for 2 people, and I get a bit restless if the 15 minute train into Surbiton is running more than a few minutes late!
May do it one day, you never know.
For Bromley I would stick to the following areas
Beckenham
Shortlands
Elmers End
Eden Park
West Wickham
Hayes
Shortlands, West Wickham and parts of Hayes have lovely houses and access to good schools. Eden Park and Elmers End are mostly 30's terraces, nice but with small kitchens, and also have access to good schools. Beckenham is difficult, it has some fantastic houses but they tend to border the rougher parts and thus have access to worse schools, lots of flats are being added but they are nice and being brought by young professionals i.e. the right sorts of people.
I have a soft spot for Sydneham; especially the end by Sydneham station/Crystal Palace park. Lovely massive Victorian houses and an interesting high street...fantastic park...schools are rubbish mind.
Depending where you choose you will get access to London Bridge/Waterloo East/Charing Cross/Cannon Street or Victoria/Black Friars or both (hint the two Catford Stations on the way in are on different lines but the stations are on top of each other so all areas can get access to all services in a push). Some lines go through Lewisham which gives access to the Docklands light railway, which was not packed when I used it last year, Lewisham's the start of the line which helps.
See this;
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/prope...
Fantastic walk through a lovely park on way to trains station in the morning, might be a bit far though!
Or this which is in possibly the best location in the borough;
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/prope...
Great secondary and primary schools on the doorstep and shortish walk to a nice high street in West Wickham.
Beckenham
Shortlands
Elmers End
Eden Park
West Wickham
Hayes
Shortlands, West Wickham and parts of Hayes have lovely houses and access to good schools. Eden Park and Elmers End are mostly 30's terraces, nice but with small kitchens, and also have access to good schools. Beckenham is difficult, it has some fantastic houses but they tend to border the rougher parts and thus have access to worse schools, lots of flats are being added but they are nice and being brought by young professionals i.e. the right sorts of people.
I have a soft spot for Sydneham; especially the end by Sydneham station/Crystal Palace park. Lovely massive Victorian houses and an interesting high street...fantastic park...schools are rubbish mind.
Depending where you choose you will get access to London Bridge/Waterloo East/Charing Cross/Cannon Street or Victoria/Black Friars or both (hint the two Catford Stations on the way in are on different lines but the stations are on top of each other so all areas can get access to all services in a push). Some lines go through Lewisham which gives access to the Docklands light railway, which was not packed when I used it last year, Lewisham's the start of the line which helps.
See this;
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/prope...
Fantastic walk through a lovely park on way to trains station in the morning, might be a bit far though!
Or this which is in possibly the best location in the borough;
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/prope...
Great secondary and primary schools on the doorstep and shortish walk to a nice high street in West Wickham.
I moved from London two years ago. Branch train into Guildford one stop and connects with mainline, c. 50 mins into Waterloo all in.
Price wise got a great space with some land for your budget.
Cycle to Surbiton a few days a week and train the last bit c 40km each way.
Works well for me but takes getting used to, however would not go back
Price wise got a great space with some land for your budget.
Cycle to Surbiton a few days a week and train the last bit c 40km each way.
Works well for me but takes getting used to, however would not go back
kingston12 said:
BrabusMog said:
I always thought Hampton was more expensive than Teddington, I could be wrong as I don't live in that area, just my preconception.
It probably was in the past, but Teddington prices have just gone mad in the last few years. It is a nice place, I suppose, but a pretty poor train line into town.Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff