Why buy in Slough: strong house price growth, Crossrail links and £450m regeneration plan make this commuter town one to watch

With house price growth significantly outpacing London, unemployment levels at a third of the national average, and huge investment in its town centre, Slough won't be best-known as the butt of jokes by Ricky Gervais and John Betjeman for long.

In fact, anyone who dismisses this Berkshire town is likely to be laughing out of the other side of their face as this under-the-radar commuter hotspot's star continues to rise — for all the right reasons this time.

Already just 18 minutes from Paddington station and on the doorstep of Heathrow airport, the Berkshire town is set to get even better connected to the capital once Crossrail opens, with a full 24 minutes set to be shaved off the journey time to Canary Wharf.

This will open up Slough as a place to live for workers in a range of different sectors and locations, attracted by the comparative affordability of the town.

Unlike other parts of the South East, Slough's relatively low house prices, coupled with booming employment and £450million of investment in regeneration and development projects, offer the promise of a rising property market in a region where most areas are experiencing a slump.

"If you look at a one- or two-bedroom home in London, you could get the same thing for about half the price in Slough," says Mohammed Asif, partner at Anderson Estates.

Rightmove figures show that the average flat in London cost £547,000 in 2018, while flats in Slough sold for an average of £243,000.

However, while London house prices remained broadly flat compared to the year before, house prices in Slough rose by four per cent in the same period, suggesting the town's property market is weathering the current political uncertainty.

In the longer term, property prices for areas within a mile of a Crossrail station are expected to rise by 36 per cent after the line has been operating for a year, compared to 2014 prices, according to research from JLL.

Slough is more than just a dormitory town for London, however, with a thriving local economy — a recent survey even named it the best place to live and work in the UK.

Employment website Glassdoor found that there were over 26,000 job vacancies advertised in Slough and an average salary of £35,000.

The town is also home to the largest number of global corporate headquarters outside of London, including O2, Amazon and Mars.

Multi-million pound investment is also set to transform Slough's town centre with new and improved shops, office space, leisure offerings and homes.

"Slough is far enough away from the capital to remain an affordable alternative living option but close enough for an effortless commute in and out for work and leisure," says Andy Foote, director of SevenCapital.

"Slough also has lots of untapped potential, which includes numerous sites that can still be redeveloped for leisure, residential and employment opportunities — all of which appeal to young professionals."

Estate agent Countrywide has tipped Slough as the top spot for people moving out of the capital.

And this new wave of Londoners are looking for the right type of home to appeal to their high standards, combining convenience with stylish design and a luxurious finish, whether they are renting or buying.

With most of the apartments at Steel House, only 100m from Crossrail, already sold off-plan, there are diminishing opportunities to buy into Slough at the right level to appeal to the growing number of professionals living in the town.

Steel House is the only private development in Slough offering secure underground parking, balconies on each flat and a landscaped residents' courtyard. Interiors and fixtures are high-spec and there's an app for residents and high-speed utitlities on site.

Prices from £399,950. Find out more here.