London is a global hub for business, culture, and entertainment, attracting thousands of professionals every year who either move directly into the city or, within commuting distance. With incredible transport links to provide access to workplaces all across the city, there are dozens of potential areas to move to, that are within an easy commute to London, letting movers stay close to work and all the action happening while offering an alternative style of living.
Outside of London, potential movers will find no shortage of quality properties to move into, with many towns boasting similar elegant townhouses to those found on the streets of Kensington and Chelsea, whilst also having options for more rustic or modern accommodation. Read on as we uncover the best places to live with ease of commute to London, for anyone thinking of or about to relocate for work purposes.
Commuting To London
The most convenient and time-effective method of commuting to London is by rail. Many commuter towns and connected cities benefit from fast and frequent train services that travel directly to key London stations such as Waterloo, Victoria, and Paddington. With travel times ranging from 25 minutes to just over an hour, rail transport allows commuters to avoid the stress of driving in and out of London’s busy streets, as well as the additional expense of parking fees, and paying congestion and emissions charges.
Many towns have benefitted from infrastructure investments such as Crossrail, which delivered the brand new Elizabeth Line service for the London Underground last year, which connects previously less-accessible areas in both the west and east, to central London in much shorter times. This has made rail commuting more appealing and helped commuters strike a better work-life balance. With comfortable trains, and the opportunity to catch up on work or relax during the commute, rail remains one of the most popular modes of travel for London-bound professionals.
Winchester
Winchester is a historic cathedral city and the former capital of Saxon England, known for its beautiful period homes and medieval architecture. Options for property here include Georgian townhouses, Victorian terraces, and more modern, luxury apartments. Many properties in the city centre offer scenic views of the surrounding hills and rivers, whilst the city itself is lively and very modernised despite its medieval influences.
What sells Winchester as a place to live is its proximity to London, with the average commute from the train station taking approximately one hour to reach London Waterloo, with direct train services running frequently throughout the day. The popularity of this route with commuters means the trains are very busy at peak times, but for the sake of convenience and the high quality of living in Winchester, it is an ideal location for those looking to travel to London for work.
Brighton and Hove
Brighton and Hove are two towns given city status on the South Coast of England, right on the footstep of the beautiful South Downs National Park. Offering a mix of seaside living and cosmopolitan charm, properties range from grand Regency townhouses overlooking the coast to stylish new-build apartments. The city is known for its eclectic neighbourhoods and friendly community and is very well integrated with fantastic transport links to London.
The train from Brighton to London Victoria takes just under an hour on the super-fast Gatwick Express. There are also services to London Bridge, Farringdon (for connections to the Elizabeth line), and St.Pancras International – ideal for commuters who want to live by the seaside while maintaining easy access to work in central London. Brighton and Hove has some of the best rail connections to London in the country and is a fantastic option for those who want to maintain a home in an area completely removed from where they work, without losing easy access to employment.
Lewes
Just a stone's throw away from Brighton and Hove is the neighbouring community of Lewes, a charming market town in the South Downs, known for its historic cottages, Georgian houses, and riverside properties. Lewes is a hidden gem for those looking for a quieter town to live in with great access to London. Oozing character, the town is rich in unique homes with period features, as well as modern developments, providing spacious family homes or stylish apartments for single movers.
Lewes is well-connected to London via direct train services to London Victoria and London Bridge, with the average commute taking around 70 minutes. The Gatwick Express also runs services from Lewes twice every hour, offering a super-fast connection option for those looking to access central London at speed.
Reading
Reading is a large and vibrant city that’s not far from the outskirts of London, serving ample properties, from modern city centre apartments to larger period properties in areas like Caversham. The recently developed Green Park has modern eco-friendly homes, whilst areas such as Tilehurst and Earley, are popular with families due to their larger homes and garden spaces.
Reading offers one of the fastest commutes to London, with direct trains to London Paddington station taking around 25 minutes. The introduction of the Elizabeth Line (Crossrail) has further improved connectivity, with journeys along this line allowing commuters to traverse the whole of central London from Reading in around an hour, making it an ideal location for professionals who may want to spend more of their time in London without living there.
Marlow
Marlow is a picture-perfect town on the River Thames, offering a blend of period properties (some of which date back to the reign of King Henry VIII) riverside homes, and new developments within the town centre. Marlow feels quintessentially English, with Georgian houses, Victorian cottages, and many beautiful waterways and river paths to explore. The town is a delight to see in the summer, with the river brimming with boats of all builds cruising up and downstream, as residents flock to the green embankments on sunny days.
Trains from Marlow run on a single line that connects to Maidenhead, from where direct services run to London Paddington and take around 40 minutes for the average journey. Whilst slightly smaller than some of the other selections on this list, living in Marlow is a fantastic alternative for anyone looking to commute to London for work. A charming riverside town, Marlow is an attractive option to the busy streets of the capital.
Guildford
Guildford, a charming historic town in the hills of Surrey, has plenty of splendid properties on offer, from grand Edwardian homes and Victorian terraces to contemporary developments near the town centre, and rustic cottages towards the outskirts and along the river.
Families are drawn to the area for its large detached homes and proximity to highly-rated schools while working professionals will appreciate the modern town centre and the laid-back style of living in the area. Guildford has excellent rail links to London Waterloo, with journey times of around 35-40 minutes, and is incredibly popular with commuters.
Amersham
Amersham boasts countryside charm with the convenience of direct access to the centre of London. The town has a wide range of property styles, from Tudor-style homes in the Old Town to more modern developments built around Amersham. With many properties on the outskirts of town boasting stunning views of the Chiltern Hills and large gardens, Amersham has a lot to offer those wanting to enjoy the quiet of their surroundings.
Amersham sits at the end of the Metropolitan Line, offering direct access to the city via the London Underground. Journey times to Baker Street in central London take around 45 minutes or alternatively, Chiltern Railways runs a service to Marylebone station that takes on average, 35 minutes, making it a popular choice for commuters.
Berkhamsted
Berkhamsted is a historic market town with a rich array of properties, including traditional cottages, Victorian terraces, and newly built homes fit for families. The Grand Union Canal runs through the town, offering beautiful waterfront living options, and a very charming backdrop to the town. It has grown in popularity with working professionals in the city as well as families over the last decade, and the demand for homes in the area is very high.
The town offers direct rail services to London Euston, with the average commute lasting around 35 minutes, and multiple rail companies running their trains via Berkhamsted. Berkhamsted is rife with opportunities to find an amazing property to have as a base outside of working in London.
From historic market towns to vibrant seaside cities, each of these places carries a distinct identity and appeal further boosted by fast local transport connections. Commuting for work is very much about striking that balance between time spent reaching the office, and the time it takes to return home.
