Introduction:
London’s high property prices and fast-paced lifestyle often drive people to seek an alternative living experience. This is exactly what can be found in one of our 10 best London commuter towns. These alternative areas offer the best of both worlds: a peaceful environment and easy access to the attractive opportunities found in London’s vast job market. Perhaps right now you’re sat on the train asking yourself; ‘Is a 2-hour commute too long?’. Well, it is! In this blog we’ll explore the best places to live to commute to London, complete with the average house prices in each of these respective areas. This article offers a great place for any prospective buyers to begin their property search.
For the sake of making accurate comparisons, all data for Average house prices comes from Zoopla and refers to a terraced house in the area. Prices are an average of properties sold over the previous 12 months, accurate at the time of writing.
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- St Albans, Hertfordshire/ Average House Price: £618,504
St Albans, a charming market town just 20 miles north of London, is known for its rich history and highly ranked schools. The average house price may seem steep, but it reflects the town’s desirability and excellent transport links. You can enjoy a short 20–30-minute commute on the train to London St Pancreas.
- Reading, Berkshire/ Average House Price: £341,034
As a thriving economic hub, Reading offers excellent job opportunities in its own right as well as a vibrant culture and affordable housing. The average house price in Reading is competitive, and with a 20-minute direct train into London Paddington from its modern and well-connected station, it’s naturally become a popular choice for commuters. The short journey makes the rail fare incredibly competitive, an important factor to consider.
- Guildford, Surrey/ Average House Price: £491,721
Guildford is a picturesque town in Surrey with its station placed conveniently right in the centre. Guildford is just 30 miles southwest of London. It is famous for its historic charm, beautiful gardens, and a thriving arts scene. Commuters can reach London Waterloo in as little as 40 minutes. Guildford is also known for its bustling high street and is great for a weekend of shopping.
- Sevenoaks, Kent/ Average House Price: £492,198
Located 21 miles southeast of London, Sevenoaks is a town renowned for its excellent schools and lush countryside. When compared with other commuter towns on this list, the average house price is on the higher side, but the quality of life it offers makes it a sought-after place to live. Sevenoaks is known for being an extremely safe place to live and raise children, so it is one of the best London commuter towns for families.
- High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire/ Average House Price: £363,544
For those seeking an affordable commuter town experience, High Wycombe is the place to be. Situated about 30 miles northwest of London, it offers a very reasonable average house price. With a 30–35-minute train journey to London Marylebone, it’s a convenient choice for commuters. The area also offers larger, more spacious family homes at a fraction of the price of comparable properties situated in the Capital.
- Maidstone, Kent/ Average house Price: £299,871
Nestled in picturesque Kent, the garden of England, Maidstone is a town that strikes a balance between suburban and countryside living. With its competitive average house prices and direct trains to London Victoria in about an hour, it’s a fantastic option for those frequently traveling into the capital. Here you can enjoy the blend of relaxed countryside strolls on the weekend and an intense, productive fast paced week at work.
- Croydon, South London/ Average House Price: £418,651
Croydon, located within Greater London, offers accessible living with its fast train links. Coming slightly further from central London, inevitably more reasonable average house prices can be found. This factor has made Croydon an attractive place for first-time buyers as well as commuters. For those looking to stay in shape on their journey, it is also possible to commute by bike to work.
- Luton, Bedfordshire/ Average House Price: £277,039
Luton, located north of London, is an affordable commuter town with some of the lowest average house prices on our list. Luton boasts fast direct train links to central London, making it a fantastic economical alternative for those working in the city. As it is the cheapest area on our list, if you are on a budget it is undoubtedly one of the best places to live to commute to London.
- Bromley, South London/ Average House Price: £474,970
Situated in the southern part of London, Bromley offers a blend of city living and bigger green spaces not found closer to central London. The average house prices are competitive, and multiple train stations provide easy access to central London. Bromley is another place on our list where due to its proximity to the capital, it is practical place to live for those commuting to work by bicycle.
- Slough, Berkshire/ Average House Price: £392,699
Slough, our second commuter town in Berkshire, offers affordable housing options. The town is well connected to London via train and offers a diverse community with various amenities. Driving from Slough to central London is also particularly easy, just a 40-minute drive on the M4, obviously dependant on traffic! For these reasons and plenty more Slough has been known as one of the best London commuter towns for a long time.
Conclusion:
Moving to a commuter town near London offers you the chance to save money while still enjoying the convenience of city access. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, a family, or a professional seeking a quieter life, these towns provide a range of options to choose from and consider in your property search. It can be a tough choice with a longer commuting time often being the trade-off for living in a more affordable area. Hopefully this list has provided you with 10 good options which strike a good balance between the two competing factors of house price and journey time. While the ability to commute to London might well be the focus of your move, it is important to remember that these commuter towns are not just places to sleep at night, they’re vibrant communities waiting to welcome you with they’re own unique communities and cultures.