For decades London’s commuter belt, straddling town and countryside, was seen as an affordable alternative to a home in the city – but recent years have seen London leavers moving there in unprecedented numbers.
According to research from Knight Frank, house prices across the South East are forecasted to rise more sharply than in London over the next five years. Londoners can expect to see a 13 per cent increase in that period, compared to 17.3 per cent for those in the South East.
In fact, growth in the South East is predicted to be amongst the highest in the country, alongside the East, East Midlands and West Midlands. So if you’re looking to move to the commuter belt, now might be your time to strike.
From a quaint, Grade-II listed cottage in Essex to a townhouse in Kent, here’s what you can buy within an hour of London – and all for around the £537,920 average price tag of a home in the capital.
St Albans, Hertfordshire
£525,000
Two-bedroom, cottage-style terraced house with wooden floorboards, cast iron fireplaces and a wood burner in the living room. There’s a rear garden too.
Bradford & Howley, 01727 629078.
Chelmsford, Essex
£550,000
Grade II-listed, three-bedroom cottage in the village of Little Waltham, which was formerly a post office. Period features in abundance, a secluded courtyard garden and the potential for four reception rooms.
Fenn Wright, 01245 292100.
Sevenoaks, Kent
£535,000
End of terrace townhouse in Sevenoaks’ popular ‘village’ area. Three bedrooms and two reception rooms arranged over four storeys, with feature fireplaces, sash windows and a garden.
Langford Rae O’Neill, 01732 677058.
Reading, Berkshire
£540,000
Three-bedroom, semi-detached house on a cul-de-sac which has been extended to create a kitchen-breakfast room opening out onto the 84-foot rear garden.
Parkers, 0118 2304709.
Woking, Surrey
£550,000
Three-bedroom penthouse apartment in a converted Edwardian mansion. 1,265 square feet of space, parquet flooring and a sizeable communal garden.
Foxtons, 01483 967582.
Uxbridge, Hillingdon
£535,000
Four-bedroom, end of terrace Victorian house in the centre of town which has been upgraded to keep its original features, like wooden floorboards, bay windows and fireplaces, in good condition.
R Whitley & Co., 01895 601066.
Coulsdon, Surrey
£550,000
Grade II-listed property dating from 1644 which was previously the local post office and village store. Four bedrooms and almost 2,000 square foot of space – but in need of some refurbishment.
John Brown Mark Youll, 01737 904034.
Watford, Hertfordshire
£525,000
Three-bedroom terraced house in Carpenders Park with a sun lounge, enclosed rear garden, shed and access to a garage. Well-connected, being close to Carpenders Park station.
Gibbs Gillespie, 01923 909011.
Gravesend, Kent
£525,000
Newly built semi-detached house with four double bedrooms, an electric vehicle charging point and underfloor heating throughout the ground floor.
Robinson Michael & Jackson, 01474 631056.
Harlow, Essex
£535,000
Turn of the century brick cottage in the hamlet of Pye Corner. It comes with an enormous 180-foot landscaped garden, featuring its own bar.
