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There are lots of reasons why you may be considering a new life away from London. The vibrant culture of the capital is a huge draw, however as we get older and start thinking about settling down and starting a family, the attractions we look for on our doorstep can change. Be it good schools, open spaces, working from home more days in the week, or the cost of living in the city too: with property prices soaring as high as the skyscrapers of Canary Wharf, commuting to London often makes perfect sense.
Continue reading to find out more about the best places to live to commute to London. Moving further afield? Our guide explores the best places to live in the UK.
How does the average house price in London compare to the UK average?
When comparing London’s housing market to the rest of the UK, it's clear that property in the capital comes with a hefty price tag. The average house price in London stands at an impressive £518,000. While it's true that Londoners generally enjoy higher wages, this figure still dwarfs the national average, which is £293,000. This stark contrast highlights the premium attached to living in one of the world's most vibrant cities.
What is the London commuter belt?
The London commuter belt is an area around the capital which offers a viable journey into the city for work. It doesn’t have set boundaries, as what’s practical is affected by property prices, where you work, and the availability of different methods of travel, including road and rail routes. Milton Keynes, for example, can still be classed as being within the belt despite being over 50 miles away, thanks to trains to London that take around 40 minutes. In a recent survey, 40% of London-based home owners are looking for good transport links in their next move.
Where should I live around London?
Whether you want to live in a quiet, peaceful village, a vibrant town or on the coast, there are so many different options to choose from, catering for all kinds of personal circumstances. It’s important to find somewhere that matches your budget as well as your taste though. For instance, you may be attracted by the proximity of Watford to London, with trains taking less than 20 minutes. However, the average property sale price in the Hertfordshire town over the year was £542,000. Swindon meanwhile had an average of less than £273,000 over the same period. Located in Wiltshire, it’s one of the London commuter towns furthest from the capital, but you can cover the 80-mile journey in less than an hour on the train. A season ticket for the train, travelling to London 3 days a week from Swindon, may cost almost £7,000 more per year than one from Watford – £11,000 compared to £4,500 – but you can weigh this up against a potential saving of nearly £300,000 when you buy a home. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the best places to live to commute to London from.
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Top commuter towns
Reading
If you’re looking for a town which offers a 30 minute commute to London or less, Reading in Berkshire could be perfect for you. It takes a shade under 30 minutes to get to London Paddington on the train, making it one of the most well-connected areas for commuters. Keep in mind, a monthly season ticket will set you back around £640.
Average house prices hover around £403,000, making the area an attractive option for homebuyers. Reading boasts an abundance of shops, restaurants, and a thriving nightlife with numerous pubs and bars to explore.
For families, or those thinking about having children, there's a good range of educational options. The town offers both primary and secondary schools, including 11 private institutions, with five rated as outstanding.
If you're seeking a quieter lifestyle, the smaller villages on Reading's outskirts provide a serene alternative while still offering easy access to the vibrant town center. Whether you're commuting, raising a family, or simply enjoying town life, Reading delivers a great mix of convenience and community.
Dorking
A charming market town surrounded by swathes of stunning natural beauty, Dorking, in Surrey, combines accessibility to London with the charm of countryside living. With a mix of period homes, modern developments and countryside properties the average house prices hover around the £550,000 mark.
Although trains to Waterloo usually take just over 50 minutes, the cost of an annual season ticket is only around £4,100, which is also very reasonable for the South East. It is well connected to the M25 and A24, making road travel to London and the surrounding areas a breeze.
Nestled in the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Dorking provides a picturesque and tranquil environment, ideal for those seeking respite from the urban hustle. The town itself features a vibrant high street with boutique shops, cafes and restaurants and even offers a theatre, museum and vineyard to add to the charm and cultural richness.
Chelmsford
A city since 2012, Chelmsford offers homes at an average price of £385,000. This places it in a competitive range compared to other towns, especially considering its strategic location for commuters.
The city boasts a practical commuting option with frequent train services that whisk you into London in just 41 minutes, making it a favourable choice for those working in the capital but seeking suburban living. It also has excellent links out to Cambridge or to the coastal towns of Southend and Leigh-on-Sea for a weekend trip to the seaside.
Despite not being among the most scenic places, the location compensates for this with an excellent education landscape. The city hosts 82 primary and secondary schools, with eight receiving 'outstanding' ratings from Ofsted, alongside 112 nurseries catering to younger families. Overall, it is a solid option for those weighing house prices and commuting efficiency against other towns in the area.
St Neots
A market town situated on the River Great Ouse, St Neots offers an attractive option for those seeking affordable housing without compromising on accessibility to major urban centres.
St Neots in Cambridgeshire stands out with its relatively affordable housing market. The average property price is around £320,000, making it one of the more budget-friendly options in the region. This is an enticing prospect for homebuyers wanting more value for their money, especially compared to its neighbour, St Ives, which is often in the spotlight.
The town boasts excellent transportation links, making it an ideal choice for professionals working in London or nearby cities. With a commute to London taking just under an hour, St Neots offers a balance of town life and big city accessibility. A full-time monthly train pass costs approximately £640. In addition to rail connections, commuting by car is convenient with easy access to the A1 and M1 motorways. This makes travel to major cities like Peterborough, Cambridge, and Bedford merely a 20-minute drive away.
St Neots not only provides easy access to urban areas but also connects residents to nature. Whether it's a leisurely afternoon at the expansive Paxton Pitts nature reserve or a day out at Grafham Water reservoir, nature is never far from reach. The town's ongoing market square transformation ensures it remains a vibrant hub for locals.
Top commuter seaside towns
Brighton
If you’ve got your heart set on moving to the seaside, the vibrant East Sussex town of Brighton has so much to offer. In addition to a host of beaches and waterfront attractions, a train journey of under an hour to reach several London stations means it’s perfectly viable as a commuter town.
Known for its iconic Regency-era architecture, modern developments, and vibrant neighbourhoods, Brighton’s average house prices hover around the £480,000 mark, making it a sought-after destination for commuters and families alike.
Trains from Brighton to London Victoria typically take just under an hour, and the cost of an annual season ticket is around £5,200, a reasonable expense given the connectivity and lifestyle it offers. For drivers, Brighton is conveniently located near the A23, which links to the M23 and M25, allowing smooth road travel to London and beyond.
Set along the scenic Sussex coast and bordered by the South Downs National Park, Brighton combines the tranquility of natural beauty with the buzz of a thriving arts and cultural scene. The city boasts a dynamic array of independent shops, renowned restaurants, theatres, and galleries, as well as its famous pier and beach, making it a truly unique and appealing commuter hub.
Southend-on-Sea
Perched on the Thames Estuary, Essex, the resort town of Southend-on-Sea could be ideal if you’d rather be on the east coast than the south.
A bustling coastal town with a rich maritime heritage, Southend-on-Sea offers a lively seaside lifestyle combined with excellent connections to London. With a variety of housing options, from charming Victorian terraces to modern developments, the average house price in Southend sits around £330,000, making it an attractive and affordable choice for commuters.
Trains from Southend to London Liverpool Street or Fenchurch Street take as little as 50 minutes, with an annual season ticket costing approximately £6,000, a cost-effective option for regular travellers. The town is also well-connected by road, with the A127 providing easy access to the M25 and London.
Nestled along the Essex coastline, Southend boasts miles of sandy beaches, the world-famous Southend Pier, and stunning estuary views. The town offers a vibrant mix of amenities, with its blend of seaside charm and urban convenience, Southend-on-Sea is an ideal choice for those seeking a balanced and vibrant commuter lifestyle.
Worthing
In the picturesque seaside town of Worthing, Sussex, the typical house price over the last year was around £380,000. This makes Worthing one of the more budget-friendly options among coastal locations. It offers excellent commuting opportunities for residents who need to travel to major nearby cities, and is only an hour from Gatwick airport.
If you’re heading into London, the train journey takes just over an hour and a half. For those who commute regularly, a monthly season ticket costs approximately £572.20. Additionally, Worthing’s location on the coast provides easy access to other nearby cities, such as Brighton, making it an attractive spot for those seeking a balance between seaside tranquility and urban accessibility.
It is considered the safest large town in West Sussex, with police reports indicating that there are 100 crimes per 1,000 people annually. The town's relatively low crime rate adds to its appeal, providing peace of mind for families and individuals alike.
Top commuter villages
Wendens Ambo
With a 50-minute journey to Liverpool Street station, Wendens Ambo in Essex is one of the most picturesque commutable villages to London you could hope to find. Largely unknown, with a population of 500 and a stone's throw from Saffron Walden this beautiful village is straight out of a story book.
The average house value may be £825,000, however its pretty cottages, vibrant, independent businesses and popular local pub are complemented by a great location.
As well as being close to the capital, the M11 motorway passes nearby, while Stansted Airport is only 15 minutes away from this Essex village on the train.
Lingfield
Found just to the north of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, you can get to both London Bridge and Victoria in less than 50 minutes from this small, ancient village in Surrey. Located just south of the Surrey Hills, it's exceptionally close to both the Sussex and Kent borders, East Grinstead, and conveniently placed for Gatwick airport.
With property valued at around £530,000 on average, a season ticket for the train costs just over £6,000, Lingfield is popular for its rural feel, attractive centre and useful amenities which include a couple of pubs and the local racecourse.
Ryarsh
A picturesque village nestled in Kent, Ryarsh is particularly appealing for commuters. With just a 45-minute train journey to London Bridge, it's a perfect balance between rural charm and city accessibility. This makes it an excellent choice for those who seek a more relaxed lifestyle without sacrificing the convenience of urban connections.
Despite its proximity to London, Ryarsh offers relatively affordable housing options. The average property price is around £460,000, which is quite competitive given the desirable location. With several new developments underway, there's an opportunity for prospective homebuyers looking to escape the hustle of city living.
The village, although small, provides all necessary amenities. Residents enjoy a cozy local pub, a well-stocked farm shop, and access to forest schools. For those who occasionally need more than the village offers, the towns of Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells, and Tonbridge are a mere 30-minute drive away.
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