Top London commuter areas: demand rises for homes outside of London with fast journeys and more space

Being quarantined at home in London has inevitably encouraged families to consider moving further out of the capital in search of a healthier life and more space.

Over the last month, city-dwellers have experienced life without noise, traffic pollution and crowds.

Our research shows families are enjoying this healthier lifestyle and are looking for it further afield, finding attractive price differentials that will enable them to afford the extra room they crave.

New research from Savills shows that a modest 500sq ft one-bedroom flat in travel Zone 1 costs £1,245 per square foot, or £622,500.

For the same budget you could get almost 1,000sq ft in Zone 3, or more than 1,300sq ft in Zone 5.

When it comes to the home counties, Bedfordshire is the best-value option.

With an average price per square foot of £309, a 1,500sq ft house would cost £463,500 — more than £150,000 less than a one-bedroom apartment in Zone 1.

Source: Savills research using EPC

The most expensive home counties option is Surrey, priced at an average £458 per square foot, so a three-bedroom, 1,500sq ft home would set you back an average £681,000.

A similar-sized property in Buckinghamshire, where the average price per square foot falls to £377, would cost £565,500.

In Essex the average price per square foot is £348, bringing that price down to £522,000.

Londoners are having plenty of time at home together to discuss the Big Move.

Buying agent Edward Heaton, managing partner of Heaton & Partners, reports that moving out is a very common discussion, as his client enquiries are showing.

“There is absolutely no doubt that many, many, people are re-evaluating their lives.”

Online property portal Rightmove, meanwhile, has noted an increase in searches for more rural properties.

Edward Church, head of Strutt & Parker’s Canterbury office, believes Londoners will search for homes in smaller county towns or in cities such as Bath, where they will enjoy easy access to open space along with plenty of local facilities.

“Being out in the sticks with young children or elderly relatives isn’t necessarily the most practical solution for many,” he says.

But long daily commutes will cease as buyers, many of whom have worked from home for the first time, see it as a long-term solution for a better lifestyle.

Dominic Agace, chief executive of Winkworth estate agents, thinks that post-lockdown many employers will be happy for staff to split their time between home and office.

“But the need for a home office may then also become essential which will be another reason to search for more space,” he says.

“Living in towns and villages with a longer commute could become more attractive if people are only travelling on three days a week. But good transport links will continue to be important.”

Christopher Scott, Hamptons International area sales director for Banbury, agrees: “If home working becomes the new normal, we could see younger people moving that bit further out, still close enough to travel into the capital when they need to, but far enough out to buy a better lifestyle.”

The experience of trying to fill your fridge in the crisis will highlight a location’s delivery options.

Londoners won’t move to areas without the appropriate facilities and connections, says Becky Munday, MD of estate agents Munday’s.

“We guide them to areas which will serve their needs. Fast broadband will, as ever, also be a must-have.”

Time spent working at home or on furlough will have been a wake-up call to commuters.

“Although there has always been a pull for buyers to look further out to maximise space, this crisis has made us appreciate family time so much more,” says Andrew Groocock, regional partner at Knight Frank.

“The move to working from home has shown just how many hours of your day you can claim back by not commuting. I expect that once out of lockdown we will see a shift whereby people want to limit their commute.”

Guy Bradshaw, head of London residential at UK Sotheby’s International Realty, says that in the early days of lockdown his office was “inundated” with requests from families wanting to get out of central London quickly for more space.

But he feels most will only consider locations with a swift train journey.

“The draw to London will always be there — culture, shopping, friends and work — so places like Henley, Beaconsfield and Surrey will be on the map because of the under one-hour commute opportunities.”

Buying agent Nina Harrison of Haringtons says: “We will likely see the young, single professionals remain in London and continue to buy flats in new developments. There are going to be some great deals to be had over the coming weeks.

“They have worked hard to get a job and a place to live in London, and for them that’s still the ultimate achievement. But even these people will have had a shift of mindset. They will look for new homes with thoughtful, well-designed communal areas, landscaped gardens, and homes with terraces and large balconies.”

Property finder Rebecca Stott, of Found it London, specialises in seeking out starter homes.

She says she has had enquiries from younger buyers who now see how living further out could work well for them.