As the cost of living is pushing many people away from the capital, many professionals decide to move just outside of London and commute from some of London’s most popular commuter towns. If you’re a young professional trying to save up by struggling to beat the cost of being in London, you may want to consider moving as well. Many towns around London allow you to still enjoy attractions in the big city while paying significantly less for rent and food. Let’s have a look at London’s best commuter towns.
High Wycombe
Located in the valley of the River Wye and surrounded by the lovely countryside of the Chiltern Hills, High Wycombe is the perfect location for professionals who are tired of living in a big city such as London. As well as being a popular choice for commuters, with superb road and rail connections to London Marylebone, this vibrant and peaceful town offers a mixture of traditional and modern amenities such as the National Trust’s West Wycombe Park, The Eden Centre, or The Wycombe Swan Theatre.
- Average price for a room. £550.
- Commute time. The fastest train from High Wycombe to London Marylebone takes 30 minutes.
Grays
At three stops away from the London border and 35 minutes from Tower Hill, this lesser-known Essex town is growing in popularity among commuters. With a population of 77,000, Grays boasts a recently renovated shopping centre, with entertainment, such as a bowling alley and games arcade. You’ll never feel too far from nature with close ties to Southend beach or the scenic Chafford Gorges.
- Average price for a room. £500.
- Commute time. The fastest train from Grays to Fenchurch Street takes 35 minutes.
Luton
Despite its negative reputation, Luton is one of the most popular commuter towns around London. Being the location of Luton International Airport, Luton has direct access to Central London via the Thameslink which runs 24 hours and the EMR. Luton is a very warm and diverse town with a few attractions and nice restaurants to enjoy. Attractions in Luton include The Mall, the Wardown House, and the Woodside animal farm.
- Average price for a room. £500.
- Commute time. From Luton to St Pancras the average commute time on the Thameslink is 40 minutes, while it’s 30 minutes on the EMR.
Horley
Similarly to Luton, Horley is located right where London Gatwick Airport is, so you can expect very reliable transport links to get to Central London. The town is reputable for being pretty and peaceful. Despite being right next to Gatwick Airport, it’s surprisingly very quiet.
- Average price for a room. £600.
- Commute time. From Horley to Victoria Station or London Bridge, the average commute time is roughly 30 minutes.
Reading
Reading is a vibrant town which has been one of the best commuter towns for long. As well as being multicultural, friendly and vibrant, Reading also has many amenities to enjoy such as The Museum of English Rural Life, Blue Collar, Reading Museum, or simply an afternoon following the Thames Path.
- Average price for a room. £650.
- Commute time. There is a train from Reading train station to Paddington which takes 30 minutes.
St Albans
Being at the top of the list, St Albans is slowly becoming the favourite town for commuters. Located between Luton and London, this lovely town has excellent transport links to London St Pancras running nearly 24/7. It’s also slightly more vibrant and cosy than Luton and offers various amenities which are all within walking distance from each other. St Albans attractions include The St Albans Market, St Albans Museum, Verulamium Museum and The Havilland Aircraft Museum.
- Average price for a room. £650.
- Commute time. The faster train to London St Pancras can take as little as 20 minutes.
Conclusion
Living in a commuter town can be a great alternative to living in London if you want to save money and escape to a more peaceful environment. However, there are many factors that you will have to consider before making the move. Bear in mind that despite spending much less money on rent, you will have to cover the cost of commuting regularly to Central London and in some cases, season tickets can cost over £3000. You’ll also increase your commute time which may in the long run be quite exhausting. Ideally, this could be a good option if you work remotely or only need to commute to London once or twice a week. However, even if you have to commute daily, you might also be able to save over £2000 without increasing your commute too much depending on where you relocate and how you plan your journeys.
