London: The Best Commuter Towns

News London: The Best Commuter Towns

An Overview

As property prices continue to surge in the capital it’s no surprise that many people feel compelled to look for accommodation outwith the city. These ‘Commuter Towns’ are very popular among couples and young families whose lives will continue to expand for years to come. Apartments and houses for sale in these towns are much larger in size but they don’t come with the astronomical London price tags attached. We’re taking you through the best commuter towns, taking into account factors such as journey time to the city, affordability, academic facilities and value for money.

Watford

First up we have Watford, located North-West of the city; a quaint English town on the outskirts of London. This town is ideal for commuters as it only takes a mere 19 minutes to get into the city by train and monthly tickets average at £260. The town is home to Watford FC making it the perfect place for football fanatics who are looking to watch a bit of the action. If football isn’t your thing Watford is home to various golf clubs including Bushey Hall and West Herts. There’s also plenty of parks and ancient woodland along the Grand Union Canal which is a great place to go for a walk with the kids. Or if it’s a rainy day take the family to the Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour which is only a short drive away. This town is perfect if you’re looking for a larger home with plenty of space for your kids to run around and they average at £415,000. That said, the schools in this area receive excellent reviews such as Watford Boys’ Grammar, Watford Girls’ Grammar as well as Parmiter’s School.

Epsom

Located 18 miles South-West of London is Epsom, a leafy town with plenty to offer. Epsom is an excellent choice for families looking for suburban life but with the benefits of London on your doorstep. There are various Edwardian as well as Twenties and Thirties style detached houses at prices to suit all budgets. There are also lots of new builds located in the Woodcote Park area which is found South-West of the town centre and detached houses start at about £800,000. This town has lots of green spaces such as Horton Park and Epsom Common Local Nature Reserve if you’re looking to walk the dog or go for a jog. On the first Sunday of every month there’s an excellent Farmer’s Market located in Epsom’s Market Square which has fresh produce, delicious bakes and a great community feel. The town centre has plenty of shops and restaurants such as MAKIYAKI which does amazing sushi. The schools in this part of the county also score exceptionally well, for example Danetree Primary School was rated outstanding in every area in its last Ofsted inspection.

Brentwood

Brentwood, Essex is next up on our list. Not only is it home to reality show The Only Way is Essex, but it’s also a great place to look for a property out with London. To get into work it will only take you 38 minutes by train and a monthly ticket will set you back around £250. You get a lot more value for money in this area in terms of the size of properties and the range of styles on offer. In the town centre there are plenty of Victorian and Edwardian properties whereas in other areas of Brentwood you will find modern new builds and chic apartments, so there really is something for everyone. The average price of a property in this town is £488,000. At the weekends you’ll be spoilt for choice in Brentwood with the likes of Zizzi, Prezzo and Pizza Express as well as plenty of high street shops and even a leisure centre to keep on top of your health and fitness. The schools in this area have a good reputation, in particular St. Martin’s and Brentwood County High School. So if you’re looking for a town to move to with your family that has everything you need on your doorstep then this is the place for you.

Slough

Slough, a town located in Berkshire, 20 miles West of London is the last spot on our list. The town has the largest number of Head Offices after London so there are plenty of job opportunities here if you’re looking to move out of London altogether. However, you can get into the city in 18 minutes by rail which is going to cost around £300 per month. Heathrow Airport is also on your doorstep which makes travelling abroad simple and cost effective. For a great day out head to Windsor Castle which offers tours and has plenty of grounds for the kids to play and it’s only a short drive away from the town. On the High Street you will find Queensmere Shopping Centre which is home to restaurants and branded clothing stores making it the perfect place for a rainy day. Slough is also undergoing £450 million of developments and regeneration projects to transform the town into an attractive commuter hub. The homes in this area are much better value for money in comparison with London as houses here sell at an average of £410,000. There are lots of different styles of properties including 60s semis, state of the art apartments and new build terraces. The schools in Slough get a great name, in particular Langley Grammar School and Upton Court Grammar School, both of which received awards for their academic facilities. For the younger kiddies Claycots Primary School is an excellent choice.

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