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Find your local brokerYou’ll have many things to do before you start your search, deciphering your property wants and needs being somewhere near the top of your list of priorities. When it comes to getting enough property for your budget, how far you have to commute to work can be a deciding factor.
While the importance of commuting has decreased somewhat since the Covid-19 pandemic, with the number of people moving out of London reaching a four-year high as work from home remains the new normal. Escaping to the country far away from the rat race isn’t for everyone.
In fact, for those working in London, settling in a nearby commuter town rather than the city centre could save a huge amount of money as this article from LinkedIn details:
“On average, properties within a 45-minute commute come to £406,343, which is a 21% decline in prices when compared to those just 30 minutes away on the train. The most significant discount in house prices for this additional 15 minutes of travel time is in the capital. Buying a property 45 minutes from the city centre can save you 25% compared to a property 30 minutes away.”
With the average house prices in East Anglia a little more digestible and its proximity to London, the East of England provides the perfect search area for those currently living and working in the capital. Read on to discover the commuter towns that should be on your radar…
With a commuting time of 19 to 28 minutes to the London station of St Pancras, and trains available every 4 to 10 minutes during rush hour, St Albans is a top choice for those looking to buy in East England and work in the city.
It’s also a fantastic place to live, with its excellent schools, bustling market scene, countryside walks, and iconic cathedral making it a great place to call home for families and couples.
As the county town of Essex and technically the region’s only city, Chelmsford may be a little larger but its retail offering, parks and neighbourhoods provide the lifestyle many of those looking to move away from London crave. It’s also award-winning, and has bagged the accolade for being one of the best places to live on a number of occasions.
In terms of commuting time, the connection between Chelmsford and Liverpool Street is the fastest, with rush hour trains available every 5 to 10 minutes getting you there in 37 minutes.
For a village vibe, try Letchworth in North Hertfordshire. Also known as Letchworth Garden City, this town is well regarded for its landscapes and greenery.
Although rush hour trains are a little less frequent – available every 6 to 20 minutes at last count – it takes just 39 minutes to travel from Letchworth to King’s Cross. Competition for property is rife however, with this once quiet, rural community now a popular haunt for commuters.
To Cambridgeshire now and the quiet town of Huntingdon. This boasts the longest commute in our rundown, taking 47 minutes to reach King’s Cross station, but there’s a lot to love about this beautiful part of the world.
Based on the banks of the River Great Ouse, Huntingdon is a scenic place to live, and just a stone’s throw away from the famous university city of Cambridge too.
Want to purchase a property in the East of England? Let our local mortgage advisors assist you. Contact us today to discuss your options.
YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE. A typical fee is £295. Ask for a personalised illustration. The Mortgage Bureau is a trading name of A.M. Mortgages (UK) Ltd. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate some aspects of Buy to Let mortgages.