Where to live near London

[Jean_77]

My family and I currently live in Enfield and I work in London (Waterloo). We want to move just out of London where we can rent a house (min 2 bedroom) with garden as we have small children. My problem is that I don't want to spend an hour or more travelling to work and back, we don't want to end up in a 'bad' area that is not safe, and we can't afford more than �850.00 a month on rent. We are new to the UK (8 months) so we need advice re safe and unsafe areas, rent costs and council tax. I'm thinking of Guildford area but we are told it is very expensive. Please can someone give me a few guidelines.
MUCH appreciated.
Jeanne

[marlasinger]

Ealing, or somewhere around Windsor.

[Velvetee]

Come to one of the Croydon suburbs. Shirley, South Croydon or Purley. You should be able to get a 2 bedroom property for around �850 pcm.

There are trains, every 10 minutes at peak times from East Croydon to London Victoria taking15 minutes. There's also many bus routes throughout the area, including a direct, non stop bus from West Croydon bus station to Waterloo. We have Trams too.

I've lived in the Borough for about six months and have worked here for 3 years. It has it's good and bad points, Chavish areas like New Addington and good points like a pretty good shopping centre in the centre. I've not really experienced any nasty episodes.

If you go to the Croydon council website www.croydon.gov.uk (Check Sutton council too, as some areas come under that borough) you can see the various Council tax bandings and costs. I would definitely recommend the London Borough of Croydon.

[China Doll]

Guildford is massively expensive, I've just moved from there. Plus the travel fare from their to London will be a big chunk of income too so I think that's out.

Lordship lane area of Dulwich, Newcross and Nunhead wouldn't be too bad.

[Jean_77]

Thank you all for the very helpful advice and info. I am going to start researching all the ares mentioned right now... I may have more questions soon though. Thanks again. Jeanne