A bit out of date - but worth a read...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2008/jun/16/commuting
Cheers,
Look North!
Market Harborough in Lecestershire.
Grantham (Linc/Notts border) and some delightful surrounding villages.
Direct fast trains from both, under an hour's journey. Your money would go a long way in either area. I know folks who commute from both.
No-one's mentioned Slough.
I'm in Peterborough and can confirm GNER commute time to Kings Cross is 50-55mins. Hampton is just one of the many 'new build' areas which would see good change from £300k for a 4/5 bedroom house. £450k would get you something more individual of similar size, non-estate an a bigger garden.
Gary
East Grinstead and Lingfield are good I live in Dormansland near Lingfield, 10 minute walk to the station 45-50 mins to London Bridge or Victoria.... dead easy... Forest Row is nice a bit more quirky... but you would have to drive to Grinstead for the train or cycle along the forest way
http://www.primelocation.com/for-sal...59b716523035a0
just near me
I can recommend Ampthill, Bedfordshire - Brother in law and his missus live there and she commutes straight from Flitwick station (next village over) into London bridge every day in under and hour non-stop. She works at Express News group if that's anywhere near your office...?
e.g.
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-...?premiumA=true
Where do you work in London?
Leigh-on-Sea nr Southend. C-2-C rail into London Fenchurch St 50 minutes. Rayleigh 4 miles away for 60 minutes into London Liverpool St.
Great cockles and beer, folk and art festivals, - all by the lovely Thames Estuary;-)
Ok gents after all that it looks like I will be buying a place in London (but a bigger place than where I am now) to stay in for a few years. Basically the properties I really wanted were slightly out of range price wise so if I buy a 3 bed semi in London the price growth on that will outstrip growth where I want to live meaning more equity to spend later.
Was also concerned about committing too high a budget - I am on a basic salary plus commission (my wife doesn't work) and already my outgoings are higher than my basic salary - any more than what I am currently paying and it's squeaky bum time relying on commissions and the transport costs were adding up significantly. I can't overstretch myself with a baby due.
Really appreciate all the feedback.