Three smart suburbs for first-time buyers: Bounds Green, Ilford and Surbiton offer good-value homes and fast commutes

When making a move out of the city for suburban life, finding an affordable home and rail fares that don't break the bank is usually at the top of the list.

With property prices within the city rocketing, it's often first-time buyers who feel the push and struggle to get a foot on the property ladder.

However, moving further out to a suburban hotspot means those looking to buy can get more for their money, as well as better-value homes and quick commutes into the city.

From riverside locations to leafy neighbourhoods, these top suburban locations tick all the boxes for first-timers.

Keep away from the North Circular road roaring past Bounds Green, and this is a leafy, quiet neighbourhood, with a great de facto high street in the shape of Myddleton Road and its lovely Greek bakeries, cafés, restaurants, regular street markets and festivals.

There is a local community garden to join in with, and a friendly, safe sort of vibe. It’s better value than nearby Crouch End and has better transport links, too.

Homes are mostly in Victorian and Edwardian terraces.

Expect to pay about £600,000 for a house, just over £400,000 for a two-bedroom period conversion flat, and about £300,000 for a one-bedroom flat.

Transport links: Bounds Green Tube is on the Piccadilly line, Zones 3/4. Or trains from Bowes Park station run to Moorgate in just under half an hour.

Average postcode prices: £443,345 (Rightmove).

Schools pick: Bounds Green Infant School and Alexandra Park School (seniors) are rated “outstanding” by Ofsted; Bounds Green Juniors and Broomfield School (seniors), are rated “good”.

Cosmopolitan Ilford is one to watch, with huge investment thanks to its inclusion on the Crossrail line which will offer journeys to Tottenham Court Road in 22 minutes and Canary Wharf in 17.

The main drag is drab and low-rent for now, but there are plans to upgrade it — and Mercato Metropolitano, the company behind the hugely popular Elephant and Castle foodie pop-up, is setting up a new outpost this summer which will significantly raise the game.

Property ranges from Victorian terrace houses to Thirties semis and post-war council blocks, to a good pipeline of new homes.

Budget £400,000 to £550,000 for a three-bedroom period terrace house, or £400,000 to £450,000 for a new two-bedroom flat close to the station.

A two-bedroom period conversion flat would cost about £300,000 while a one-bedroom period flat would cost just over £200,000.

Transport links: Liverpool Street from 18 minutes.

Average postcode prices: £389,261 (Rightmove).

Schools pick: Cleveland Road Primary, Christchurch Primary and Little Ilford School (seniors) get the Ofsted “outstanding” rating; The Ursuline Academy (girls, seniors) is rated “good” by the watchdog.

The epitome of suburban living thanks to classic Seventies TV sitcom The Good Life, Surbiton is actually a rather grand Victorian suburb with big villas, Art Deco apartments and more modern semis.

Victoria Road has plenty of useful local shops, while Maple Road is a very pleasant mix of independent cafés and restaurants.

Surbiton’s proximity to the Thames means there are riverside pubs to enjoy, and there are a couple of local boat clubs.

Kingston upon Thames is just up the road for nightlife, and the presence of students from Kingston University London gives the area a bit of a buzz.

A two-bedroom period flat would cost around £450,000 to £550,000, or you could opt for a post-war purpose-built flat for about £400,000.

With a budget of £350,000 you could buy a one-bedroom period flat, or you could find a slightly boxy purpose-built flat for about £200,000.

Transport links: trains to Waterloo take from 18 minutes.

Average postcode prices: split between KT5 (£537,704) and KT6 (£612,860), according to Rightmove.

Schools pick: St Andrew’s and St Mark’s CofE Junior School is Ofsted “outstanding”; The Hollyfield School & Sixth Form Centre is rated “good”.