The fastest train to London would get you to Paddington in 27 minutes. For those who enjoy nature and the great outdoors, Chelmsford is home to Hylands Park and a local favorite, Hyde Hall. Some of our best friends are hipsters. Hipster Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster For everything else a trip to Sittingbourne, just on the other side of The Swale, or beautiful Faversham, is quick and painless. Best Commuter Towns London | 2022 Round-Up | Move iQ Buckinghamshire's best commuter towns for London Falkirk. Basingstoke is a large town in northeast Hampshire, in south central England. With a population of 22,076, Horley is a small town with beautiful historic buildings, plenty of local heritage, and a high street that is home to both your favourite retail chains and quirky . Located right next to Greenwich on the Thames, Deptford is an ideal area if youre into all things new and on-trend. Arsenals European dream over as Wolfsburg land cruel late blow, Dissatisfied Arteta sends title race warning to Man City: This isnt over, Tottenham good, bad and ugly all in the same game at Liverpool, Amazon insight shows how Chelsea must learn from Arsenal, says Lampard, Wolff fires warning over Mercedes upgrades as Hamiltons wait continues, Where to buy outside London in 2022: the commuter areas seeing a new year surge in homes for sale, Has Covid killed the London property market? Most commuter towns around the north edges of London are very hit and miss. Families looking for somewhere to settle and commute with younger children will be delighted with the high reputation Guildford has when it comes to its schools. Still, you're just six miles from Heathrow, it's very green, has some. The fastest train from Horley to London would take 28 minutes. The openness of Camberley, interspersed with rivers, inlets, and woodlands, gives the town a far more countryside feel than you would expect, something that has been responsible for its growth in popularity. As a plus, journeys to central London take about an hour. You can opt-out at any time by signing in to your account to manage your preferences. Having the streamlined connection to the center of London with the international airport of Heathrow on your doorstep, while also having such idyllic places such as Staines Moor close by, all make Staines-upon-Thames one of the best commuter towns near London. And let's begin with breakfast eats. The average house price in High Wycombe is 354,830 and a season ticket would cost 3,856. London's best and worst commuter towns to live in 2022 ranked The average house price for this town is considerably lower than Iver which can make it that much more attractive. However, the opening of the Elizabeth line in 2023 will make the journey far more streamlined, connecting you directly to Bond Street, Canary Wharf, and Stratford perfect for those who are working within the heart of the city. Each email has a link to unsubscribe. More Copyright A Lady in London 2007 - 2023. Godalming in Surrey, where there are pockets of value if you look beyond the traditional commuter-belt locations. A terraced house typically costs 387,000 while a detached home will set you back 878,000. ABQ, meanwhile is a Breaking Bad-themed bar, where you spend two hours in the back of an RV, 'cooking up' cocktails. Commuting to London: 50 of the best towns and villages with good-value Be ahead of the game: at some point, someone's going to figure out you can essentially have bottomless brunch at Wetherspoons for 20 a head. An annual season ticket costs 3,364. Hackney is packed with bars hidden under railway arches, on-the-pulse nightlife, cutting-edge restaurants, delicious bakeries, and cool coffee shops. The distance from the capital means you are able to escape that London-centric nature that often comes with towns closer to the Big Smoke. There are many commuter towns to choose from, just a stone's throw from the capital, with all the benefits of green spaces and good schools. A Shoreditch original. Given there are so many choices, I want to give you an idea of your options and some good ideas for cool neighborhoods in London. Peckham is next on my list of hipster London neighborhoods. There are two top-notch golf courses nearby and lots of bars and bistros to explore. is only set to grow as a commuter town. Essex has some delightful options that are finding increased favour with priced-out Londoners. Negroni in a car park? London neighborhoods: 15 Best Places in London - Homelike While it's in vogue, head to The Library Pot in Richmond (yes, Richmond can be hip too) or Draughts in Hackney, where games include Bushwhackin' Varmints and Lords of Waterdeep: Scoundrals of Skullport. From there you can travel to Waterloo in around an hour and a half. Airdrie. Oh yes, and the building's got a Banksy on the side. Located over forty miles away from London, excellent transport links mean that you can catch a train from the Essex city of Chelmsford and be in the capital in under 40 minutes. The incredible floor plan inspires both purchases and new style choices. Over the last year demand for houses has shot up in the uber-cool seaside town, which sits just 16 miles north-east of Canterbury, and is less than two hours commute from the capital. Be open to making friends on social media. Taking the longest on our list of best commuter towns, the train journey from Camberley to central London will take you around an hour and fifteen minutes. Famed for its annual music festival and bustling town center, Reading retains its own identity and reputation for leisure and nightlife. Margate, on the east coast of Kent, has seen a property boom. The high street and the areas that surround it are packed with hip cafes, bars, and vegan restaurants. Something wrong with this article? Regular bus services operate, although they do take around an hour and whether you bus it or go by car you will have to keep an eye on the tides because the Roman causeway that divides Mersea from the mainland floods at high tide. This Map Will Show You All Of London's Commuter Towns, Ranked In addition. One of the citys coolest areas, this place is known for its amazing nightlife scene. One of the only noted downsides to choosing Reading as your commuter town is the high price of rail season tickets. Hyde Hall is a great expanse of floral displays and flower gardens, all of which add to the charm and idyllic nature of this Essex city. The lure of the city has dwindled in recent years. While there is only a 13 minute difference in journey times from Gravesend and Ashford to London, there's a staggering difference in cost. Expect to pay 800,000 for a chocolate-box, four-bedroom detached cottage in one of these villages. The famous shopping center, The Oracle, serves as one of the most popular shopping districts in the entire Thames Valley area and can provide you with everything you need while living in the town. The season ticket prices are 2,708. This perfect combination of luxury, vast open spaces, and a direct link to the history of England all make Windsor a highly popular place to live and one of the best commuter towns near London. If youre the type of person that finds it hard to choose whether you want sweet or savoury popcorn, or a hot or cold drink, youre probably not exactly, just someone who wants the best of both worlds. Time Out checks out the conclusions of Phil Spencer (yes, him off Location Location, Location minus Kirsty Give up coffee, Netflix and EasyJet Allsop) just published on the. Just over an hour from London and with a choice of charming cities or beautiful villages Hampshires the perfect country escape. 1. Basingstokes Festival Shopping Centre provides the residents with an ultra-modern shopping experience, complete with premium shops, restaurants, and bars. MoveIQ looked at train times as well as affordability, annual season ticket prices and what an area has got going for it to compile their rankings. This country town passes the kerb-appeal test with flying colours: it is set beside the River Wey, with narrow windy little town-centre streets, pretty, traditional shops and just-so hanging baskets. This infrastructure is bolstered by Readings huge commercial center, especially for information technology and insurance. Where to live in London | Homes & Property | Evening Standard The posh part of town is Meads, west of the town centre, close to the South Downs and the seafront. This growth in population and popularity has brought about stiff competition for housing and employment. SueBurtonPhotography // Getty Images. Picturesque country and seaside locations for house-hunters who still want to live within reach of the capital. All but one of Winchesters schools are rated good or outstanding by Ofsted, which is a lot better odds than youre likely to find in London. We've been to most of these places and would recommend them. Its another hugely historic settlement, in Roman times known as Verulamium. Home to three iconic theatres, Watford Palace Theatre, Watford Colosseum, and The Pump House. The 10 best up and coming places to live in the UK - The London Economic Think of this post as the highlights reel and those posts as places where you can do a deep dive into what each one has to offer. Get an Uber Boat all the way to Barking in east London. Here are the Kent locations proving a hit with post-pandemic buyers. It's so hot it's even been rated the most hipster area of London. All material on this site is the property of Londonist Ltd. 15 Charming Day Trips From London: May 2023, The Top 11 Exhibitions To See In London: May 2023, The Best Places To Find Bluebells In And Near London This Spring. The area south of the Thames has changed a lot over the last few decades, and today its home to some of the trendiest places in the UK capital. Thankfully, there are people in the know that do all the delicate weighing up of prices, green space and broadband coverage then release their best-ranked places to live and commute to London, complete with travel times. This textured past has given St Albans a rich identity and can be seen as one of Englands most quintessential towns. ), you just want to sit back and relax among a dead zoo of taxidermy. There are lots of good options in and around the area. But the east side of the island is a whole different story, with pretty seaside towns such as Leysdown-On-Sea and Minster on Sea, beaches and nature reserves. Rail services disrupted after person hit by train in north London, 100 officers injured amid violence during pension protests in France, Aerosmith announce farewell tour marking 50 years together, Explosion derails train in Russian town near border with Ukraine, Royally Big Portrait of the King unveiled ahead of coronation, Donald Trump says its great to be home as he arrives in UK, Londons most expensive home sales of 2022: from historic mega mansions to private palaces, Crossrail guide to Slough: average house prices, new homes and Elizabeth line journey times to central London, UK property sales figures remain slightly higher than pre-pandemic levels, Kent locations proving a hit with post-pandemic buyers, the perfect seaside escape by one graphic designer featured in Homes & Property last year, delightful options that are finding increased favour with priced-out Londoners, Woman stabbed to death in street in Brixton, Investigation launched after woman stabbed to death in broad daylight, Man, 20, in critical condition after assault in Beckenham, Warning nurses could keep striking up until Christmas, Ant and Dec among celebs invited to Coronation as guestlist revealed. These include the Chelmsford Museum and the home of Essexs first-class county cricket side. Being situated a decent distance from London clearly isn't the most important thing if the actual area isn't nice. High Wycombe is a beautiful area with the surrounding Chiltern Hills making it an idyllic spot. The best commuter towns in Hertfordshire. The charming city of Chelmsford only has a population of 110,00 and has an extremely low crime rate a fact that gives the city an idyllic feel, ideal for leaving the traffic and rush of inner city London. Its proximity means that you are able to take the train into the capital within 25 minutes or within an hour and a half drive. The UK capital of London has long been one of the worlds most booming metropolitan cities. If you want to learn more about this part of the city, my east London neighborhoods guide has additional areas for you to explore. Another hunch of ours: homing pigeons are going to be a thing. Coastal commuter towns: five hipster-friendly seaside spots for London Its peak domestic residence logistics too arcane a puzzle for us amateurs. We moved to Ramsgate because we could afford to buy here, she says. The bustling hub of St Albans is home to a large independent scene, which includes independent book shops, cafes, and celebrated cinemas. If your dreams of a new life involve a quintessentially pretty English country village then this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty just north of Colchester is the ideal hunting ground. For every hipster that shops in Hub or Albam there's one that gets kitted out at the Frock Me! The islands population doubles in summer as tourists arrive en masse, which can lead to big queues to get on or off the island, but locals tend to simply avoid peak times. A couple of miles down the coast from Broadstairs, Ramsgate was once a fashionable Victorian seaside resort, and although todays holidaymakers have set their sights on more exotic climes, there is still a lot to recommend in this busy town, with its street cafes, charming marina, clifftop walks and blue flag sandy beaches. The forests big catch, however, is its prices. Kents coast is not all fish and chips on the sea wall and bucket and spade fun, though. The Kent coastline offers a huge range of options for buyers, from affluent historic towns alive with cafe culture to some of the most extraordinary landscapes in Britain. By ferry: Hayling Ferry offers trips across the short stretch of water to Portsea Island, Portsmouth saving a 15-mile journey by road. Dunchurch Park Hotel, Warwickshire. If you want to stay in this part of London, you can book accommodation in Spitalfields here. Where should you categorically avoid even if the house prices are very affordable? Privacy Policy. Being 20-minutes from the city certainly makes this an attractive location. In 2014, Nice felt a need to be close to her parents, so the family moved to Leighton Buzzard. Commuting to London takes 25 minutes and your terminus is Paddington, but house prices there are still close to 550k. Sea, sand and sun-kissed beaches. The best London commuter towns, according to Phil Spencer and Moveiq 1. The latter's Peckham branch has a speakeasy which serves 'Father Ted' cocktails, and has been known to play Knight Rider on loop (inspiring you to drink a few Father Teds). Spend weekends paddleboarding without sacrificing on London comforts in these hipster-friendly commutable coastal towns with flats for about 200k, Emma Jane Palin and her husband, Josh, in Ramsgate. Arcade bars PimpShuei, Meltdown London and The Four Quarters serve up a headily hip cocktail of craft beer and Street Fighter II. Coastal towns are still very mixed communities, so get to know your neighbours, whoever they are. Word of mouth seems to have been behind Leighs resurgence and most who move down seem to have a ready-made support network. From the colorful markets to the street art, record stores, and vintage shops around Brick Lane, this is one of the most exciting parts of London. Hatfield, Hertfordshire 3. Read our, {{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}}. Shoreditch (EC1) was once the coolest place to live in London before encroachment by bankers and other professionals due to its easy commute to the central business. Here you can shop for your fave hipster brands such as Comme des Garcons, Jonathan Saunders and JW Anderson, plus plenty of other more or less known designers. Make friends at one of the tennis clubs, work out at half a dozen gyms and enjoy plenty of long country walks exploring pretty villages within Saffron Waldens hinterland. Stevenage as a town has all the amenities and resources you would expect from a modern town. Journey time: 22 minutes. Just to the south of the town is one of the most famous green spaces in all of England, Windsor Great Park. Getting to London only takes 29 minutes making Twyford a worthy rival to those on the list. By Robert Cutts from Bristol (Fore Street . Rounding out the top 10, Redhill makes the list. Reading has always been a popular spot for those wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of London, while still being close. And, although Surrey is the most expensive of the home counties, buyers who are willing to look beyond the classic dormitories can find value on a (comparative) budget. How much? work life. The commute: You need to go to Colchester, by car or bus, the trains to Liverpool Street are just under an hour. That may not be the case by the time we've finished writing this paragraph, but hey ho. Here a similar house would cost about 800,000. Although Surrey is the most expensive of the home counties, buyers who are willing to look beyond the classic dormitories like Guildford can find value on a (comparative) budget. The fastest train into St Pancras takes 25 minutes and the average house price is 514,773. Levels Wine offers wines on tap including local options, theres craft beer at Bottle Grove, small plates at Cru, and hotel Ports restaurant is another top haunt for local produce. Leave us alone. Best Places to Live in London as a Young Professional Taking just over fifty minutes to arrive at either Londons Paddington or Waterloo station, it is easy to see why Windsor is at the top of many peoples commuter town list. Shaftesbury town in Dorset home of the famous Gold Hill. There is a thriving arts scene in the town and an art trail (as well as a folk festival and regatta). The jewel in Eastbournes crown is Towner, a gallery designed by American architect Rick Mather. Which is why we've also dished up ahead of the curve alternatives. This growth in population and popularity has brought about stiff competition for housing and employment. Upriver, at Richmond, life on the Thames has a distinctly tranquil, laid-back flavour, as evidenced by the White Cross pub. You can head over to my guide to south London if you want to discover more. The latest town under the spotlight is Redhill. TheKent coast, while lovely, was just that bit too far for a daily commute. South of the river, the Bussey Building has fast become a hipster stalwart, thanks to rare groove funk and soul nights, gallons of Red Stripe, and more art students than you can shake a 20,000 loan at. The historic Berkshire market town of Windsor is a favorite commuter town for those who look for a little more luxury when it comes to home life. You must be at least 18 years old to create an account, Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number, I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from Evening Standard. With vast swathes of green spaces, farmland, and countryside, Guildford stands alone as a satellite of London while keeping the rural feel of its surrounding suburbs. 50 best places to live near London - Country Life A few months ago we brought you the best commuter villages around London to live out your bucolic fantasies. The season ticket price is 2,316 and you are also only 6 miles away from Heathrow. So where is the best place to live if looking to leave the capital? Visit in all seasons. 11.Basingstoke. With the modernization of Greater London and the expansion of the nearby national Heathrow Airport, Staines-upon-Thames has become an outpost of modernity and an up-and-coming modern town. Hipster - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com The 18th-century Huguenot silk weavers houses on the latter are stunning. Just 30 minutes from London, the experts at Leaders estate agents have chosen the area as one of the top 10 places for families to move to. ea, sand (or pebbles) and occasional sun are all on offer within 90 minutes of London. This commercial reputation is married perfectly with Basingstokes proud cultural institutions. St Albans is a beautiful town rich with history and only 20 minutes from London, A train from Reading to Paddington Station would take 25 minutes, From the outset Iver may not look like much but it has loads going on, High Wycombe came in number 7 and is a pretty town consisting of the old and the new, Aylesbury is a mix of old and new, with modern buildings emerging from Tudor-era houses. In mid-winter the seasides a different place. The commute: with a road link to the mainland and its own rail station, Sheppey is easy to get on and off. If you dream of the taste of salt in the air, early morning walks along the promenade, and the chance to spend your weekends paddleboarding or sailing, but dont want to give up on the home comforts of London life, there are some amazing options. Fancy the island life but cant stray too far from London? Dunfermline. House prices are around 370k but a season ticket is a tough ask at nearly five grand a year. Whats to love? Go to Black Rock, where you drink whisky from a 185 year-old-oak table. You can opt-out at any time by signing in to your account to manage your preferences. Do you plump for ease of journey but a tiny flatshare in Kennington, or bags of room in Brentwood but playing dodgeball with transport strikes and engineering works? If youre the type of person that finds it hard to choose whether you want sweet or savoury popcorn, or a hot or cold drink, youre probably not exactly indecisive, just someone who wants the best of both worlds. Vintage Fashion Fair, and another who gets their togs from the charity shops along Streatham High Road. The best London commuter towns for 2023 have been ranked in Yopa's annual report, uncovering the most affordable alternatives to the capital's high house prices. London's best commuter towns: ranked - Time Out London 112 countries and counting! Although its ideally placed for commuting into London, there is a large infrastructure here that means you are not forced to travel outside of the town during your days off, creating a great balance between work and home life. Tottenham is next on my list of hipster London neighborhoods. One person wrote: "The town itself is not easy on the eye, it makes Slough comparable to the playboy tax exile haven of Monaco." For those who wish to live outside of the town itself,Guildfordhas a number of outline villages that provide a far more secluded lifestyle ideal for truly escaping the day-to-day hustle of inner city London. This endless expanse of shingles is lit by the glow of a nuclear power station and dotted with abandoned, rusting fishing boats and modest houses built from redundant 19th-century railway cottages.