The Best Places To Live Near London For Commuters

With average house prices in London the highest in the country, the prospect of buying a property in the capital can seem rather remote for most mere mortals. As salaries tend to be greater there however, many find that it is still necessary to work in the city, so a sensible solution is to commute in from the home counties.

If you are planning to move house to a commuter town near London, then Britannia Ryans is an award-winning removal company with the experience and knowledge to help ensure your house move runs smoothly.

Here, we take a look at the best towns to live in, in each of the adjacent counties to London, and review what makes them so desirable for those looking to achieve that perfect work/life balance.

Basildon, Essex

Commuting time: 33 minutes by train to Fenchurch Street railway station
Annual season ticket cost: £3,100
Zoopla average house price: £296,367

Basildon is the least expensive area on our list and is an affordable commuter hotspot, serviced by the C2C train line. Although the town was originally designed to allow its residents to not have to commute to the city, its rate of growth has since forced the issue and it is now due to benefit from the regeneration of the Thames Gateway region.

Reading, Berkshire

Commuting time: 31 minutes by train to London Paddington railway station
Annual season ticket cost: £4,860
Zoopla average house price: £438,129

Second in terms of affordability on our list is the university town of Reading in Berkshire. It’s a diverse town with a wide range of property types, and while it houses many new international technology firms, such as Microsoft, those still wanting or needing to work in the capital are only half an hour away, using the frequently running Reading to Paddington train service.

St. Albans, Hertfordshire

Commuting time: 20 minutes by train to London St. Pancras International railway station
Annual season ticket cost: £3,808
Zoopla average house price: £592,710

The historical city of St. Albans in Hertfordshire offers a brief commute into London of only 20 minutes, beautiful period houses, a twice-weekly market, and a plethora of excellent schooling options. Although house prices are not cheap, by living here, you can really get the best of both cities.

Guildford, Surrey

Commuting time: 35 minutes by train to London Waterloo railway station
Annual season ticket cost: £3,936
Zoopla average house price: £644,571

Set in leafy Surrey against the backdrop of the North Downs, the cobbled streets of Guildford might seem like a world away from London, but the journey to the city only takes just over half an hour. With everything you could need all conveniently located in one compact area, the area is home to many good schools and also the University of Surrey.

Sevenoaks, Kent

Commuting time: 33 minutes by train to London Charing Cross railway station
Annual season ticket cost: £3,804
Zoopla average house price: £763,818

Kent’s Sevenoaks is and has always been a popular choice for London commuters since the 1860s, though is certainly at the more expensive end of the spectrum. With famous public and private schools and surrounded by beautiful Kentish countryside, the area is a perfect choice for those commuters lucky enough to afford its hefty price tag.

Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire

Commuting time: 18 minutes by train to London Marylebone railway station
Annual season ticket cost: £2,872
Zoopla average house price: £1,057,668

At the high end of our recommended commuter towns is Gerrards Cross in Buckinghamshire. Not only is this village the most expensive out of our suggestions, but it also offers the quickest commute into London at only 18 minutes by train. If you want the peace of a rural village that is a stone’s throw from the capital, Gerrards Cross should be at the top of your wishlist.

So, as you can see, there are a huge range of possibilities available and regardless of your budget and requirements, you should be able to find a place to call home in one of the areas mentioned above.

If you need assistance with moving house to, from, or within London, then please contact Britannia Ryans today for expert advice from the professional removals company that has over 35 years experience, email us at britannia@ryansmove.com, or call us on 0208 328 3378 and we will be happy to help you with your enquiry.