For those working in the capital, living in London is not always desirable. There is an increasing tendency for people to move away from the city to the suburbs and further afield, encouraged by less expensive property prices, a better quality of life and fast train services into major business centres. Even at the luxury end of the market, £1million will buy much more outside London than it will in the capital itself. According to research published in November 2015 by international real estate adviser Savills, commuter housing markets are set to outperform London markets from now until 2020. Sophie Chick, Savills research associate director, comments,

“We expect the trend for urban living to continue as London buyers seek out vibrant locations where they don’t have to sacrifice the convenience of living close to shops, restaurants and leisure facilities.”

The research states that, while prime London property prices are 36.8% above their 2007 level, property prices in commuter areas rose just 6.6%. This obviously makes for a great investment opportunity as prices rise in the future, but also means buyers are in a position to purchase far larger properties than would otherwise be the case. Matthew Craker, director of Fine & Country Brookmans Park, based in Hertfordshire, says,

“We sell many properties to commuters who are moving out of London. While the prices in our area aren’t particularly cheap, there are lots of purchasers who see real value compared to the price that they may be selling at in London. These people are buying four-bedroom detached homes for similar prices that they’re selling a two-bedroom apartment in London.”

Travel Hot Spots
Some areas have been popular with commuters for many years and so do command a premium. Virginia Water and Cobham in Surrey, and Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire for example, have become Britain’s first million pound towns, according to a report from Lloyds Bank published in October 2015. The research states that average property prices in those towns is £1,168,992, £1,042,552 and £1,003,367 respectively. According to Savills, the average house price in Cobham from August 2014 – August 2015 was £1,054,781.

“This price reflects the demand for property here which is largely based on the quintessential English country village atmosphere of Cobham itself,”

says Ian Camplin, head of Savills Cobham residential sales.

“As a result, Cobham remains an excellent investment opportunity – for first time buyers and second steppers as well as investment landlords.”

Mr Craker cites the Hertfordshire villages of Brookmans Park and Cuffley, and the town of Potters Bar as being popular with buyers – all have train links into London (Potters Bar is also close to the M25) and all are vibrant places to live. For Alex Newall, managing director at Hanover Private Office, the counties of Berkshire and Surrey fit the bill.

“Ascot, Windsor, Windlesham and Sunningdale are all favourites for commuters looking for easy access into central London by train to both Paddington and Waterloo,”

he says.

“Property prices work out at only £500 per square foot for brand new properties (half the price of Fulham and Wandsworth), and even less for older properties, therefore it’s no surprise that Ascot has such a huge draw for families. Now throw in the world’s most famous horse racing meeting Royal Ascot in June each year, polo at Guards and Smiths Lawn, fantastic golf at Sunningdale and Wentworth, and you start to see that this is an AAA location with great potential for further growth in prices.”

In addition to these counties, Sussex, Kent and Essex also lie within London’s commuter belt and should be considered by potential purchasers. In fact, any of the Home Counties, especially those places within an hour’s train journey of central London, should prove attractive to commuters. Less well-known towns and villages may not command the same high prices as the mature markets of Cobham, Virginia Water and Beaconsfield, but they should nonetheless prove sound investments, both from a financial and from a work life balance viewpoint.

Grovewood, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire
Nearest railway station: Beaconsfield (approx half a mile away) for services to London Marylebone Journey time: Around 25 minutes This newly constructed Georgian-style property sits within landscaped gardens and enjoys a wealth of luxurious features, including a marble reception hall, picture windows, galleried landing, walk-in wardrobes and bi-fold doors opening on to a stone terrace. The ground floor comprises a family room, drawing room, dining room, study, library and open-plan kitchen and breakfast area. Upstairs the master suite includes a dressing room and en suite bathroom; the five remaining bedrooms all have en suite bath, or shower rooms also. A cinema and games room is located on the top floor, alongside a leisure room with spa. Outside, the garage is large enough for three cars and features a self-contained guest studio above with fitted kitchen and shower room.
£4.75m / €6.74m/ $7.17m Savills +44 (0)1494 731950

ExternalWindsor Bridge Court, Eton, Berkshire
Nearest railway station: Windsor & Eton Riverside (less than quarter of a mile away) for services to London Waterloo and London Paddington Journey time: Around one hour to London Waterloo and around 45 minutes to London Paddington (change at Windsor & Eton Central and Slough) This three-bedroom duplex apartment is located in the centre of Eton, next to the River Thames, and includes a 30 foot private mooring. The interior features an open-plan living room, kitchen and dining area, which leads on to a south facing terrace with views of Windsor Castle. On the upper floor, all three double bedrooms have en suite bath, or shower rooms, while the master bedroom and bedroom two also enjoy access to a south-facing balcony.
£2m €2.838m $3.018m Hanover Private Office +44 (0)20 7935 5797

IMG_0057The Victorian, Preston Hall, Aylesford, Kent
Nearest railway station: Barming (approx one mile away) for services to London Victoria Journey time: Around 60 minutes The Victorian is a two-bedroom apartment within the Grade II listed Preston Hall, a restored mansion that dates back to the 12th century. The apartment benefits from original features, including a hidden staircase where Tudor King Henry VIII’s wife Catherine Howard is said to have met her lover, Thomas Culpeper. Contemporary design touches include an Oakwood kitchen with quality appliances and stone worktops, an open-plan living and dining space, two en suite bathrooms with mirrored furnishings, walk-in and fitted wardrobes, and engineered oak flooring.
£550,000 / €780,400 / $829,350 Weston Homes +44 (0)1279 873333

FrontSonning Court, Sonning on Thames, Berkshire
Nearest railway station: Twyford (approx two miles away) for services to London Paddington Journey time: Around 30 minutes Sonning Court has been the home of world-renowned magician and illusionist Uri Geller for 35 years. Its design is based on the US White House, with gates from a Covent Garden theatre and a driveway lit by modernised gas lanterns that were once part of the street furniture of London’s Oxford Street. It includes nine bedrooms, eight en suite bathrooms, a reception hall, formal dining room, summer dining room, kitchen, two drawing rooms leading to a large glass atrium, an entertainment hall with cinema room, bar and gym, a wine cellar and staff quarters. Outside, the grounds include private moorings on the River Thames for up to 18 boats, a guest apartment, L-shaped swimming pool, pool house, professional tennis court, Japanese water gardens, helipad and garage.
£15m / €21.3m / $22.6m Savills +44 (0)1491 843001

SquareEdge_MiramPlace_External_FrontMiram House, Hadley Wood, Hertfordshire

Nearest railway station: Hadley Wood (less than one mile away) for services to Moorgate and Kings Cross Journey time: Around 23 minutes These six elegant, spacious apartments are targeted at those who require convenient access into Central London yet still enjoy countryside living. Hence Miram House ushers in a new concept in modern living – a fusion of classic elegance with contemporary features. Its layout ensures that every apartment has a stunning view. Additionally, with bespoke finishes and stunning surroundings, the property compares equally with West End luxury boutique hotels whilst retaining the essence and feel of a lavish country home. A communal all-weather tennis court offers a perfect social and leisure amenity while spacious underground parking provides security and convenience. From
£1.75m / €2.48m / $2.64m Artemi & Gibbs +44 (0)208 345 5656

4-ashington-aerial-2..Ashington Lodge, Aldham, Essex
Nearest railway station: Marks Tey (approx one mile away) for services to Stratford and London Liverpool Street Journey time: Around 55 minutes This contemporary country estate covers approximately 76 acres and includes a private golf course, lake, woodland, parkland, a light aircraft landing strip, tennis court, outbuildings, post and rail paddocks, and landscaped gardens. The house itself offers around 8,000 square feet of living space and has five double bedrooms, two en suite bathrooms, a reception hall, drawing room, sitting room, dining room, games room, conservatory, kitchen and breakfast room, and a utility room. Outside, the gardens include a greenhouse and a coach house with garage, workshop and first floor office.
£4.25m / €6m / $6.4m Beresfords Country +44 (0)1245 397475

IMG_50034302_12_originalFlowerways, Chipstead, Surrey
Nearest railway station: Chipstead (approx one mile away) for services to London Bridge Journey time: Around 50 minutes Believed to date back to 1905, this six-bedroom home stands within gardens of around half an acre. It includes an open-plan kitchen and family room, utility room, separate dining room, study and dual-aspect sitting room with feature fireplace and bay window. Upstairs, the master bedroom features fitted wardrobes and an en suite bathroom. Five further double bedrooms and a shower room can also be found on the first floor. Outside, the gardens encompass a swimming pool, pergola, mature lawns, landscaping and a paved patio.
£1.25m / €1.77m / $2.64m Fine & Country +44 (0)20 8660 6689