Recommended towns outside of London

My brother lives in Kings Langley in Hertfordshire. It’s lovely, but not sure I’d call it a town, more a big village. Not cheap. My brother went into London daily for years, by train to Euston.

If they are not used to UK life, they will need to be aware of how dense the traffic can be. I know that we may never go back to the daily commute, but I am aware that people from outside the UK used to be (pre-C19) astounded at our routine traffic jams.
So they may like to look at properties within walking distance of a train station, good bus services (ha!) or factor in a car journey to a train station and expensive parking.
I have only visited the US once. I had always assumed that those large and spacious houses were just on TV shows, but found lots of ordinary people do live in properties that we would think of as huge!
I'd also definitely recommend renting to begin with.

Lewes in Sussex is lovely

Here's a nice one in Leigh on sea. Good rail links to London, the beach, lovely park, airport, good schools.https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/86560255#/media?id=media1

Woodmouse49, that's a great house!

Thank you all for the great advice so far.
North West is best because any family we have all live in NW London so would be easier for meeting up with them.
St Albans is definitely an option but I am amazed at how prices are there!
They want a biggish house and garden, 4 bed and 2 bath.
Nightlife in London would not be of interest to them, they love the idea of being in the country but with access to some nice restaurants and shops as well as good health care and schools (no kids yet but I am hoping one day!)

Framilode

St Albans a beautiful small city and brilliant commuting to London.

My son lives in Redbourn, a village close to St Albans and Harpenden. Whilst both convenient and a lovely places, property is very expensive. He rents as he could never afford to buy.
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/78961144#/

Only minutes from M25

I can recommend Didcot and/or what about Northamptonshire.

It's like putting a pin in a map. You need to be clearer in terms of how much travelling you want, do you want nightlife in London, what are your interests, is the size of house important etc.

Yes, I like Bishops Stortford Willow and it has a Waitrose! But M11 is a nightmare in the mornings and evenings!

Bishops Stortford Hertfordshire.
Lovely town 40 minute train direct to Liverpool St
Near Stansted airport
Near M11
Lots of restaurants and pubs
Lots of country walks and parks
And last of all everyone is very friendly.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/73474221#/

How about this one? I just love looking at house details!!

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/76195743#/

Was your DIL brought up in England? if she has never lived in the UK she maybe disappointed with the size of the rooms.

Colchester? Bury St Edmunds is lovely. Not too big and in nice countryside.

Have a look at Rickmansworth, Chorleywood, Amersham. These are all on the Met line and Chiltern line with fast trains to central London. Good cooks and nice high streets.

Dont forget to factor in the price of travel though, train fares can be horrendous.

Cambridge is lovely

St Albans a beautiful small city and brilliant commuting to London.

Kimbolton and surrounding area is definitely worth a look.
Also around Ware in Hertfordshire.

Yes Franbern north east London would get my vote too!
Is there a reason for north west London Philippa?

Oxford Circus is on the Central Line underground. Trains there from Loughton /Buckhurst Hill in Essex and Woodford and South Woodford.

These are all very pleasant areas in which to live. Would definitely eight hundred grand to purchase 4 bed property in these towns. Have all the advantages of being a short tube ride into Central London and loving amidst the beauties of Epping Forest.

Southgate and Barnet are nice if they want to be on a tube line. Expensive though.

Thanks Hurdy Gurdy, that's exactly the kind of information we needed!
I haven't lived in the UK for a long time so really can't advise them!

They'd find a lovely property for that kind of money around Bedfordshire. A quick look on Right Move came up with a mixture of character and modern properties.

Good for commuting both rail and road.

I'd suggest between Bedford and Biggleswade area

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/find.html?locationIdentifier=REGION%5E61286&minBedrooms=4&maxPrice=800000&propertyTypes=&mustHave=&dontShow=&furnishTypes=&keywords=