My partner and I are looking to move and we are considering Surrey, Berkshire or Buckinghamshire. Can anyone recommend some nice towns?
I've been living in London for 15 years, although in recent years have enjoyed villagey/green outskirts of London, which I love. My partner wants to move further out so we get a bigger house for our money, plus some nice countryside close by, but I'm worried about living 'in the sticks' and my preference would be to live somewhere like Richmond - nice shops, park, restaurants and very close to London. It is very very expensive though, although we could afford somewhere there, it wouldn't be detached (which is what my partner wants). So! Can anyone recommend anywhere? I don't want to move too far out, and preferably inside the M25 or just outside it. I know of places like Guildford - although that's too big a town to live in. Are there any other nice towns that offer that kind of vibe, and maybe slightly smaller than that?
I really want to be able to live somewhere where there are decent shops and local restaurants in walking distance, but still somewhere villagey but within 40 mins max train ride of central London.
Suggestions would be very welcome - thanks!