Where's nice to live in the UK?

[Olly]

I'm reliably informed by the wife that it is not.

Well Canterbury seemed nice, have been there, that's not too far away...
The "list" seems to have four pretty distinct sections.

1. Commutable (30 mins and below) to London but slim possibility of local work making daily commute almost inevitable. Examples are Welwyn Garden City, Ashford
2. Commutable (30 - 60mins) to London with good chance of finding something local. M3 and M4 corridors as far as Winchester and Reading.
3. Nice place, local work possible but not likely, weekly commute. North, Sheffield probably has to be the limit but does depend on exact train/motorway situation. Cardiff to the West and places like Bristol and Bath.
4. South Coast, nice, just that bit too far from London (with the possible exception of Brighton) to make it a daily commute, not a huge chance of local work, but hopefully a good quality of life. Property budget stretched.

[SueEllen]

[*]South Coast, nice, just that bit too far from London (with the possible exception of Brighton) to make it a daily commute, not a huge chance of local work, but hopefully a good quality of life. Property budget stretched.

I know people (OK I'm related to one) that regularly do the Brighton to London commute it knackers you as most journeys end up at 2 hours as you have get across London from Victoria or Clapham Junction and something always goes wrong with the connection. Especially if you don't live near a train station and have to drive there first and park.

And yes anywhere where you can commute into London within an hour and a half the train fares are very expensive. The train operators rely on people doing that to make money.

I've had periods when I've commuted the other way on the train, and on some commuter lines it's actually cheaper if you commute out of London at peak hours.

Personally I would find a place and live there, and if you like it buy if not move on.

[monkeyboy]

if you are willing to do some miles on the bike try norfolk. I comute from there by bike to canary wharf, only 3 days a week though. House prices are cheap and the locals not as bad as I was told before I moved. Alot of house for your money....

[Scary]

I once did Brighton to London after a party, took over 6 hours with 6 other people in the back of a mate's Astra van at the height of summer. I'd rent/buy something on the tube map and save up for a quieter life later on.

[DimPrawn]

You could live in Epping, tube into London and for £185K live in luxury

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-...-12250170.html

[Ravello]

Maidenhead, I know you mentioned in your original post you didn't like the vibe, but since then you've started talking about Basingstoke!! Alternatively if you've upped your budget one of the surrounding villages or even Windsor might be an option.

M4 corridor is quite a likely destination for contracts given your skillset.

[doodab]

Commutable (30 mins and below) to London but slim possibility of local work making daily commute almost inevitable. Examples are Welwyn Garden City, Ashford

Unless you are living in London you aren't going to get a 30 minute commute, you are going to get a 30 minute train ride as part of a 45-60 minute or longer commute.

[Moscow Mule]

Unless you are living in London you aren't going to get a 30 minute commute, you are going to get a 30 minute train ride as part of a 45-60 minute or longer commute.

If you buy Wired (UK) this month, there's a great pic of journey times from central London. Can't find it online, but worth a look if you're in Smiths.

[Olly]

Unless you are living in London you aren't going to get a 30 minute commute, you are going to get a 30 minute train ride as part of a 45-60 minute or longer commute.

Yep that's why I said "to London" but I understand what you're saying.
You never know could get lucky and find a role within walking distance of the station. So far, that's happened surprisingly often.

When living in London I've still often ended up with a commute between 30 mins and an hour.

As long as I can do door to door in something resembling an hour(ish) and not be a pissed off mess when I arrive then I'll be happy.
If it's like my 15 minute motorbike ride from Clapham to Holborn in a year that saw very little rain I'll be very happy

[Olly]

If you buy Wired (UK) this month, there's a great pic of journey times from central London. Can't find it online, but worth a look if you're in Smiths.

You can't scan it? think it would interesting for a few folks.
I'm not in Blighty at the mo.