Is google maps about right?

[Malc]

I've got a new job in London and my Girlfriend a new job in Harlow working for a large pharmaceutical company.

We've worked out that to live together she has to get the train from Liverpool street station, which is about 30 mins. My job is near New Malden just off the A3.

The area that looks the best to live in is Canada Water as I can drive to New Malden and she can get a 15min tube ride to Liverpool St then 30 min train to Harlow.

Google maps reckons 40mins for this drive

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sou...1.430039,-0.107117&spn=0.209341,0.475845&z=11

I'll be setting off about 6:30 to get to the office before 7:30 and setting off home a 4pm

My questions for anyone who has knowledge of the area are:

1) Is Google maps about right? If it is I can definitely live with 40mins each way.
2) Where else is a decent place to live that is quick to get to Liverpool station or Stratford (preferably Liverpool) and I can drive to work without getting congestion charged. I've looked at Bow but heard it's a bit of a dive, plus for Driving purposes, it's easier south of the river.

I've posted in Motors as I want a critical and serious opinion, plus it's mainly about the drive.

Cheers

 

[Malc]

Cheers lads.

I've just checked Colliers Wood to Raynes Park and I could alternatively just go down the A3. It's about the same time but a mile or two longer.
I reckon it'll just be trial and error when I get down there. No doubt I'll find the quickest way depending on the times after a few weeks.

What about areas to live with good access to New Malden by Car and Liverpool St Station by tube? I'm liking the look of Rotherhithe/Canada Water.

 

[Malc]

The tube is an option, but seeing as I'm taking my car down anyway and I will have a parking space at work, I imagine it'll be cheaper to drive than get the tube, considering I'll use a gallon of petrol per day which is ~£6.

I also dislike the cramped, overcrowded conditions of public transport so I try and avoid it when I can. If driving becomes a problem then I can always switch to the tube but I'd prefer not to.

 

[Malc]

Brilliant, Canada Water it is then.

I assume I'm going against the majority of traffic with my commute as I'm going away from the centre in a morning and back in at night. That should speed things up slightly.

Also my start time is flexible. Basically anything between 7am and 10am. I could set off at 6:15am and leave work at 3:30-4pm if needs be.

 

[Malc]

Yeah we've checked that and she's happy to do it.

It's also about an hour including waiting.

Rotherhithe station
7:03 tube to waterloo ~5mins
7:11 tube to Liverpool St ~7mins
7:25 train to Harlow Town ~28 mins
7:59 bus to Pinnacles ~7mins
Work before 8:10

Pretty much an hour plus walking to Rotherhithe Station and from the drop off at Pinnacles.

We spent around 4 hours choosing potential places to live and checking tube times. This is pretty much the best compromise for both of us.

It's not ideal but it's about the only way we can work it.

 

[Malc]

I meant Whitechapel not Waterloo. They both begin with W!

Overground from Rotherhithe to Whitechapel
Hammersmith and City from Whitechapel to Liverpool Street

Checked the buses and they appear to be quite a bit slower to Liverpool Street.

 

[Malc]

Living in that area I would say 40 mins is not even close to realistic for that journey.

I used to make this journey by car - http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sou....156604&sspn=34.598285,79.013672&ie=UTF8&z=13
For your journey Id say you are looking at at least an hour (even more if there are any problems with rotherhithe or blackwall).

I reckon I could live with an hour. I'll work out the better times to travel as well seeing as my working time is very flexible.

Moving from Preston to London?

For shame. Not a proper Northerner!

Yep Preston to London. I'm originally from Rotherham though (the correct side of the Pennines). I'm doing it for the girlfriend, it's not my choice to live in a cramped expensive place. Also, no doubt I'll be the token northerner in the office.