Do you need to live near the capital for work but want to reside somewhere that doesn’t require you to walk at approximately 40mph everywhere you go? Do you yearn for a frequent fix of city life but an even more frequent fix of fresh air and neighbours that actually acknowledge each other’s existence? Well, folks, I hate to break it to you – but it may well be time for you to consider opting-out of life in the capital and dipping your toe in the cleaner and far less chaotic waters of the London commuter belt.
More and more Londoners are heading out to the scenic spots that surround the capital city, hoping that – much like Hannah Montana – they’ll get the best of both worlds. But with so many commuter towns and villages to choose fromit’s tricky to know which of them will actually be worthy of leaving your overpriced, mould-infested flat in Clapham for. But luckily enough, The Telegraph have done the hard work for us.
Taking into account what they believe to be the six most important factors when choosing a place to call home; The Telegraph analysed the many commuter towns surrounding the city to decipher which are the best. The six key metrics taken into consideration were house prices, quality of schools, green spaces, entertainment, travel time to London and the cost of a season ticket. And perched on the border of Essex and Hertfordshire is the picture-perfect village that came out on top.
The Telegraph’s best London commuter town
Just 20 miles down the road from London is the quaint, quiet, and oh-so quintessential village of Roydon. With a modern marina, bundles of green space, and a whole load of old-school charm, it’s a far cry from what you may be used to here in the capital. But if The Telegraph has said it’s the best, we’ll at least give it a chance.
Roydon topped the commuter town charts with its winding high street, uniquely ornate homes (with an average cost of £510,000), and its wholesome community feel. There’s a monthly market, a walking group, and a whole host of other community events to get involved in. Trains to Liverpool Street run every half and hour and take just 37 minutes. And a season train ticket costs £3,604 – which is (rather bleakly) well below the London commuter average of almost £5,000.
The Telegraph’s top ten London commuter towns
- Roydon, Essex
- Watford, Hertfordshire
- Epsom, Surrey
- Esher, Surrey
- St Albans, Hertfordshire
- Whyteleafe, Surrey
- Aldershot, Hampshire
- Folkestone, Kent
- Basildon, Essex
- Twyford, Berkshire
You can read The Telegraph’s full findings here.
