Dunchurch Park Hotel, Warwickshire. Not as smug as Broadstairs, this good-looking town is the perfect place to chill out on the beach, pick up vintage finds at its outstanding collection of antique shops (youll be hard pressed to visit the Petticoat Lane Emporium without finding something you have to buy), or cycle the Viking Coastal Trail. Other notable aspects that make Watford one of the best commuter towns near London is the fact it is a stand-alone town with its own unique indenture and attributes. Be ahead of the game: put down that cocktail and get ye to a micropub in Sidcup. 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. Like Danny Dyer. Photograph: Tolga Akmen/AFP via Getty Images 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 . In the town you will find plenty of good gastropubs and being in the Surrey Hills means access to lovely walking and cycling country. 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. As much as hipsters loathe to be put in boxes, they spend a lot of their time in actual boxes. Coming in at number 5 and Buckinghamshire's first entrant, Iver. Sheppey has a choice of primaries, the majority rated good by Ofsted. Trains from either Broadstairs or Ramsgate to St Pancras International take just under an hour and a quarter. You can now use Citymapper to plan your Elizabeth Line journey. (Photo: Matt Buck) Hertfordshire generally dominates the top ten; with Waltham Cross coming in at second place, and five other towns in Hertfordshire making the cut. There is, at present, a three-year waiting list for a permit. Its one of the hottest areas to live in London. 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. East Mersea is a peaceful, residential spot with some of the islands bigger, most expensive houses. Shaftesbury town in Dorset home of the famous Gold Hill. Getting to London only takes 29 minutes making Twyford a worthy rival to those on the list. Despite all the trappings of urban life, the town of Watford also has its fair share of green spaces. Best Places to Live in London as a Young Professional And yet, it is this relative isolation from the grips of the capital that make Camberley a popular destination in which to settle. Trains from Queenborough Station to Blackfriars take from just under two hours. Photo: Magic Pea South of the river, the Bussey Building has fast become a hipster stalwart, thanks to rare groove funk and soul nights,. One person wrote: "As you enter Aylesbury, you find yourself in a traffic jam. From Colchester you can get to Liverpool Street in just under an hour. Over the last two years, the county has also found increased favour with Londoners fed up of being locked down in the city. Get involved in exciting, inspiring conversations. St Albans, Hertfordshire - 21 mins Hatfield, Hertfordshire - 23 mins Reading, Berkshire - 23 mins Borehamwood, Hertfordshire - 22 mins Iver, Buckinghamshire - 23 mins Stevenage, Hertfordshire - 22 mins High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire - 43 mins Horley, Surrey - 34 mins London Bridge services take an hour and a half. Still, you're just six miles from Heathrow, it's very green, has some. A budget of 300,000 is enough for a three-bedroom semi. Finally, top of the list is St Albans, a mere 20 minutes from St Pancras. How much? When that extends to big stuff such as where you want to live in relation to where you work, then it gets a bit more tricky. The season ticket prices are 2,708. So where is the best place to live if looking to leave the capital? One of the only noted downsides to choosing Reading as your commuter town is the high price of rail season tickets. Margate got a lot more expensive in the past few years. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. The average house price for this town is considerably lower than Iver which can make it that much more attractive. work life. The commute: with a road link to the mainland and its own rail station, Sheppey is easy to get on and off. The underrated seaside commuter town known as 'Hackney-on-Sea' where My list also has links to my blog posts about specific London neighborhoods. You can opt-out at any time by signing in to your account to manage your preferences. Best commuter towns London What towns are 30 minutes from London? A real hipster bevvy, then, must be especially niche. The best places to live near London: Warwickshire We adore Dunchurch. Here are the capitals best commuter isles. The coastal town is actually so popular with Londoners it has been dubbed "Hackney on sea." Be ahead of the game: the hippest set of stacked boxes right now is The Artworks Elephant, hidden away behind Elephant and Castle station. Next up on our list of best London commuter towns is Woking, which is just 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. What stands out as Guildfords most favorable aspect is the surrounding countryside and villages. The posh part of town is Meads, west of the town centre, close to the South Downs and the seafront. Although more expensive than counties like Kent, Hertfordshire's commuter towns are among the closest to London, with our two hotspots both within 30 minutes of the capital 1. Guildford, as a town in itself, is a pleasant place to live; with cobble-stoned streets, historic medieval architecture, and a castle to boot, Guildford has all the charms of a small English town. So there we are, these are your top five dormitory commuting options. Each email has a link to unsubscribe. Coastal towns are still very mixed communities, so get to know your neighbours, whoever they are. The content youre reading is made by independent, expert local journalists. London's best commuter towns: ranked - Time Out London While areas such as Knightsbridge, Chelsea, Hampstead and Mayfair retain their luxury hallmarks, hungry hipsters with drive and creativity are leaving their stamp on once undesirable parts of town where rents are affordable and commercial space is plentiful. Great pizzas directly across the street. Despite Ashford being the main railway station in east Kent, it has been ranked 107th on the list.. We've covered London neighborhoods for families in detail here. Stevenage consists of great transport links as well as great house prices, making it a worthy entrant onto the list. 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. Guildford is one of the commuter towns near London with a long-standing reputation for housing many who work in the city, increasing its popularity. Hitting the number two spot is Hatfieldin Hertfordshire, a county where, reassuringly, according to My Fair Lady, hurricanes hardly ever happen. Margate, on the east coast of Kent, has seen a property boom. Henley-On-Thames Where to live to commute to London? Also regularly voted as one of the happiest places to live, the town boasts gorgeous countryside surroundings. The beer is cheap, fresh, and if you take a phone call, your iPhone might end up nailed to the wall. Its so hot its even been rated the most hipster area of London. Shoreditch's Boxpark is probably a bit passe for today's hipster, and they're more likely to be found scoffing frozen yoghurt in a box in Croydon's Boxpark, while getting their ears around some grime. Nowadays, the time-worn streets are peppered with independent shops and eateries, like Townsends bookshop, Italian bistro Lucca Enoteca, and record and natural wine shop Winyl, as well as arty. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. By Robert Cutts from Bristol (Fore Street . The area has a fun nightlife scene as well. A typical flat in the town will cost 229,000, while a house would set you back an average of 424,000. Vast new estates are now zoned west of the A1 and in the northeast of town, providing affordable housing to residents of Stevenage. A typical terrace sells at 383,000 and a detached house for just over 1 million. Its another hugely historic settlement, in Roman times known as Verulamium. Sign up for exclusive newsletters, comment on stories, enter competitions and attend events. At number three was the iconic Luton. If you want to stay in this part of London, you can book accommodation in Hackney here. Its handy for the south coast, while trains to Waterloo take just over an hour. Peckham is home to some of the most famous rooftop bars in south London, which is to say nothing of pop-up markets and shops. Top 22 must-visit places in Slovenia! House prices are around 370k but a season ticket is a tough ask at nearly five grand a year. Fastest train to London: 27 mins. High Wycombe has made the top 10 London commuter towns (Image: BucksLive - Grahame Larter) The bustling town of High Wycombe ranked 7th in the list of the best towns to commute to London. Although not traditionally seen as a commuter town, the past few years have seen a huge boom in London employees settling in the city. 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. Although Staines-upon-Thames is close to London, the busy Heathrow Airport, and M25 Motorway, it still retains its small-town feel. Youve got a really beautiful old town with cobbled streets and pubs with seating out on the sea wall so you can sit and have a drink and watch the estuary and the fishing boats, and then you have got a really vibrant, thriving high street, full of bars, boutiques and vegan restaurants, she says. Sea, sand and sun-kissed beaches. Ramsgate is the perfect place to trawl vintage shops. The bustling hub of St Albans is home to a large independent scene, which includes independent book shops, cafes, and celebrated cinemas. Nicolagypsicola: The Hipster place. Whether youre wondering where to live in London, where to hang out in London, or where to stay in London, theres a variety of hipster neighborhoods in London to choose from. The area offers a wide range of places to choose from. More Copyright A Lady in London 2007 - 2023. 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. By ferry: no regular commuter services but Jetstream Tours does regular day trips to Southend. If you want to stay in this part of London, you can book accommodation in Deptford here. If you're already a hipster you'll already know about a lot of these. Living in Iver could open up a realm of possibilities you never thought possible. It was one of Kents original Cinque Ports and the walled town centre still possesses plenty of medieval charm. 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). One red flag here is schools. Basingstoke is a large town in northeast Hampshire, in south central England. The numerous primary and secondary schools that educate Basingstokes younger residents are highly praised by Ofsted. Or you can always go axe-hurling in Whitechapel. By ferry: a service runs across the River Colne to Brightlingsea Harbour, a journey that would otherwise be 19 miles by road. Some of the links in this blog post are affiliate links. 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. A picture postcard sort of town, all beach huts and fishermans cottages, and with some particularly good ice cream parlours. The prices also make it a dream for those wanting to leave. Where should you categorically avoid even if the house prices are very affordable? While there is only a 13 minute difference in journey times from Gravesend and Ashford to London, there's a staggering difference in cost. This account already exists. Stansted Airport is 13 miles away. Twyford in Berkshire is another location worthy of consideration. As the years go by,Chelmsfordis only set to grow as a commuter town. The fastest train to London St Pancras takes 20 minutes, the average house price in the area is 582,115 and with a relatively lofty season ticket price of 3,712. The combination of long-standing ties to London, especially in its commuter routes, the towns strong infrastructure, and resources all make. People move on a whim after a fun weekend of beach parties in the summer. 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. 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. A good choice if youre an extra in Holby. Expect to pay 800,000 for a chocolate-box, four-bedroom detached cottage in one of these villages. Hackney Wick is first on my list of the coolest neighborhoods in London. A London budget will go much further down here renters will say theyve got 1,300 for a two-bed when that should pay for a five-bedroom house. The fastest train to London only takes 21 minutes to Kings Cross and season ticket prices are considerably cheaper than St Albans, at 2,888. As its name suggests, this market town lies along the northern banks of the River Thames and has grown from a small town to a hub for commuters and residents as the expansion of London has grown. Folkestones alpha address has long been its West End, with its streets of lovely Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian houses. Iver is situated within the beautiful countryside while still being only 25 minutes away from London Paddington. The area is vibrant and The fastest train gets to London in 25 minutes, with season ticket prices reaching 4,736. 10 Best Commuter Towns Near London - Homelike 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. Reading, Berkshire 4. There are some great restaurants and cafes in town, notably Sorrel. Whats to love? The first homes at Brent Cross Town are already on sale, with guide prices starting at 400,000 for a studio, 430,000 for a one bedroom flat, and 585,000 for a two-bedroom flat . Clearly, being within touching distance of London isn't a winner for these people. Just to the south of the town is one of the most famous green spaces in all of England, Windsor Great Park. It isnt only Camberleys leafy charm that has made many commuters turn their hard-working eyes to the town. By clicking Sign up you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice. This expansive area in the East End is home to places like Hoxton, Haggerston, and Dalston, all of which have solidly hip credentials. For every hipster that shops in Hub or Albam there's one that gets kitted out at the Frock Me! This friendly little market town is right on the border of the Surrey Hills and the South Downs, so you get access to two areas of outstanding natural beauty for the price of one. Its peak domestic residence logistics too arcane a puzzle for us amateurs. 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. The fastest train from Horley to London would take 28 minutes. Get London news, inspiration, exclusive offers and more, emailed to you. 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. She loves Potters for interiors shopping, Positive Retail for pre-loved luxury fashion and Vinyl Head for records. Rail journey: St Albans City to St Pancras International. Reene recommends looking east, around the Harbour Arm, which has become trendier as the area has been regenerated with bars and restaurants. Factor in the ever-rising property and rental prices in the capital and staying in London for your downtime zzzs may not even be an option. St Albans on the edge of London comes in number 1 on the list. Number four is occupied by Borehamwood, Hertfordshire. 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. A two-bedroom flat around here will cost about 300,000, says Claire Reene, branch manager of Bairstow Eves, while you could pick up a four-bedroom house for around 600,000. 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. Famed for its airport, Luton cracked the top 3 of worst places to live. The fastest train to London would get you to Paddington in 27 minutes. Godalming in Surrey, where there are pockets of value if you look beyond the traditional commuter-belt locations. Theyre fun places to get outdoors and into the elements here. Most Affordable UK Commuter Towns For 2020 - House Beautiful Nightlife is fairly low key although one thing the New Forest does very well is country pubs. Best London commuter towns for 2023 - House Beautiful The UK capital of London has long been one of the worlds most booming metropolitan cities. 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. This infrastructure is bolstered by Readings huge commercial center, especially for information technology and insurance. Homes in the village, as the small cluster of houses on the shingles are known, rarely come up for sale. You could pick up three-bed house for around 500,000. Ladys 7 Hipster London Neighborhoods Youll Want to Discover, subscribe to the A Lady in London blog via email, Ladys 9 Notting Hill Pubs Youll Love in London. 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Tottenham is next on my list of hipster London neighborhoods. Hackney Wick is also near large green spaces like Victoria Park and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, so there are plenty of places to channel your inner hipster outdoors here. Join thousands of others and subscribe to the A Lady in London blog via email. Hayling Island in Hampshire is about four miles from coast to coast, its beach a mix of sand and shingle. At the time of writing, it's hip to play Buckaroo while sipping an earl grey. There are plenty of green spaces to explore, as well as a variety of high streetshops and restaurants. For coffee head to Union, a yoga shop and cafe. Commuting to London takes 25 minutes and your terminus is Paddington, but house prices there are still close to 550k. From there you can be at St Pancras in 38 minutes. Notting Hill Put on the map by its namesake film, Notting Hill has retained its fame throughout the years. A Shoreditch original. We moved to Ramsgate because we could afford to buy here, she says.