Top 5 UK Commuter Towns to London Revealed

Working in London gives you access to a wealth of locations when choosing where to set your roots. Depending on your circumstances, you may want to live in London itself. Many, however, choose to live on the outskirts of London in Surrey, Kent and the surrounding counties, and commute in from here.

Whether you have a family, you want a shorter commute time or your looking to save some money; there is somewhere for everyone here. Here is a list of the top 5 UK commuter towns to London, revealed:

Best for Families – Tunbridge Wells

Tunbridge Wells is a brilliant area for all the family. The average property price here is rather high at £517,286, according to Zoopla. If money isn’t an issue and you’re looking for a lovely area in Kent to commute to and from London, then Tunbridge Wells is the place for you. This historic spa town offers unique boutiques, galleries and restaurants; and the surrounding area is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Paul Collins / The Pantiles, Royal Tunbridge Wells

The area is also honoured by two fantastic schools, the Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar School and the Bennett Memorial Diocesan Academy, both receiving ‘well above average’ scores from the Government’s website. The AONB is called the High Weald, and it is a vast open green space, ideal for cycling, hiking, riding and more. Move here and be content in knowing that your family will enjoy themselves wherever they go, and the schools offer brilliant educational services.

Best for your Money – Witham

Witham is a 45-minute train journey from London, a 20-minute drive from Chelmsford and, on average, you can save £90,000 when buying in Witham. Many people choose Chelmsford as it is only 35 minutes via the train to London. However, if you’re willing to pay £90,000 less for a property and add 10 minutes to your train journey each way, then Witham just might be for you.

Julian Osley / Witham Public Library

Lots of first-time buyers are looking to purchase a home outside of London and commute in for work. If this is you, then Witham is the one. There are plenty of amazing properties for sale, and developments, such as the Southfields Development, are creating even more homes. The large amount of choice, the brilliant schools, commuting time and overall quality of life make Witham the best location for commuters’ price-wise.

Best for Young Professionals – Reading

If you’ve just started a fantastic job in London, it’s unlikely you’ll have the money to rent a place or buy a home in London straight away. Some people don’t want to live in London outright. Living outside the capital gives you the best of both worlds, and this is where Reading comes in. Only a 28-minute train journey from London, Reading is an excellent location for young professionals, offering a busy town vibe as well as the much-desired nightlife (without the London costs).

javic [CC BY-SA 2.0]

Average house prices here are at £360,000, and there are plenty of developments coming over the years to help improve the town’s infrastructure and industries.

Best for Travel Time – St Albans

Fed up of sitting on a packed train for hours each day, leaving before the sun goes up and getting back far after the sun has set? Many London commuters feel this way. This is where St Albans comes to save the day. Cut your travel time from hours to only 20 minutes each way into Central London.

St Albans, Hertfordshire is a historic city with plenty to offer anyone willing to take the leap and move here. Plenty of bars, pubs and restaurants are splattered throughout the city and there is a brilliant array of markets to explore throughout the week. While property here may not be cheap, you certainly get what you pay for when you move to St Albans.

Best All-Rounder – Chelmsford

Chelmsford has long been one of the most popular location for commuters to purchase property. Families and young professionals alike have been employing Chelmsford removals services for decades, ditching their small abodes near to London and moving outwards for more space, and more green.

The commute into London is only 35 minutes, most likely only a tad longer than it was before; and the schools in the area are of an exceptionally high standard with plenty of further education available; the countryside is to die for, and the lack of pollution is something everyone should be pleased about. Chelmsford wins the all-rounder for best commuter towns; however the average price for a house here is just short of £400,000, but this doesn’t mean there aren’t any bargains to be had.

Author Bio

Ross Evans is a blogging enthusiast and lead writer for international removals firm White & Company. With a passion for writing on a wide range of subjects including travel, culture and business, his informative and creative writing style leads to an engaging read that everyone can enjoy.