The Best of Both Worlds: How Families Thrive Between London and the Coast
London is a city with a unique kind of appeal. Every year, thousands move here in search of professional opportunities. There’s also a wealth of culture, parkland, and special attractions to uncover – as well as excellent schools.
If you’d like to enjoy the best of what the capital has to offer, but you’re unsure of whether you actually want to live in a big city, then one option might be to locate yourself somewhere around the outskirts. This is a more viable option than it once was, largely thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic and the revolution in home working that ensued. It’s now possible to live outside of London, and travel into the city only once every so often for an in-person meeting or other occasion.
This way, you’ll be able to strike a balance: you can enjoy the more laid-back pace of village life, while still having access to the centre of the capital.
But exactly which places might appeal to those interested in this kind of lifestyle? Let’s consider a few of the candidates.
Kent
Top of just about every list of commuter towns is Faversham. This picturesque little hamlet combines a number of virtues, including a sense of history, natural beauty, and plenty of amazing places to eat.
Then there’s Dartford, which is perhaps best known for the crossing that links Essex and Kent. This is an extremely well-connected place, and it offers excellent access to the surrounding countryside, as well as London. It also offers a wealth of new build homes, which makes it particular appealing to those looking to move here.
Berkshire
You can catch a train from the middle of Maidenhead and end up in Paddington in around half an hour. The most recent addition to the tube map, the Elizabeth Line, also stops off here. As such, it’s an obvious choice for those who need fast access to London.
If you’d prefer something a little smaller and quainter, then there’s Hurley. This little medieval village provides a slower pace. There’s a pub here that dates all the way back to the twelfth century.
Twyford is another option. This is another out-of-the-way commuter village, with inspiring scenery, including a small bridge. Then there’s Reading, which is a fairly large town, packed with amazing buildings and inspiring scenery, and Slough – which actually boasts an incredibly high concentration of head offices, making it great for professionals.
Surrey
In Surrey, there are two main options worth considering. Guildford is just twenty-seven miles from Central London, and is packed with history. There’s a sizeable cathedral that dominates the skyline – but, being built in the early 20th century, it has a different sort of charm to some of the other cathedrals dotting the countryside.
Then there’s Redhill, which is nestled amongst the hills of Surrey, and which offers a raft of modern facilities.
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire offers an impressive variety of scenic locations, each of which is sure to inspire. Hitchin is arguably the best commuter town here. There are boutique shops, reasonably-price houses, and plenty of great schools, too.