If you are thinking about moving out of the city and still staying close to London, this list of 10 of the best commuter towns near London you can move to will help you a lot. Many people want short travel times, good house prices, and a calmer life, so this guide shows you the towns that truly work well in real life.
In simple words, the best commuter towns are the places that give you fast trains, safe areas, good schools, and better value for your money. These towns let you enjoy a quieter home life without losing the comfort of quick access to London.
So let us walk through each of the best commuter towns in London one by one. We will explain train times, house prices, local life, schools, safety ratings, and who each town is good for. This will help you pick the place that actually fits your everyday life.
Before the list of the best London commuter towns for families, here’s what we tried to pick for and what we think matters most if you move outside London but still work there:
With that in mind, here are 10 commuter-town picks.
Now, let’s get into the details of these best commuter towns near London.
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St Albans gives you a fast twenty to twenty-two minute train ride to London and a lovely historic feel with its old streets, cathedral, and green parks. Homes here cost more, usually around six hundred to six hundred fifty thousand pounds, so it sits on the higher side compared to many other commuter towns, though daily costs like groceries feel similar to the rest of the South East.
The schools are strong, the crime rate is low, and the town centre stays lively with good shops, cafés, and a busy market. People like it for the quick commute, family-friendly vibe, and beautiful setting, but the high prices and strong demand can be a drawback.
It works best for families and professionals who want a calm place to live without losing easy access to London.
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Maidenhead gives you calm riverside walks, an improving town centre, and very strong links to London. Local costs feel normal for the South East, and season tickets keep travel costs steady.
Schools are good, most areas feel safe, and you get plenty of shops plus fast trains to Paddington and the Elizabeth Line. People love the easy commute and family-friendly areas, though prices have risen, and some spots get busy.
It suits families and professionals who want quick, direct travel to central London with a relaxed place to live.
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Reading feels like a bigger, busier town with lots of shops, offices, and business parks, so it has more energy than small commuter towns. Housing is generally more affordable, and daily costs sit close to the usual South East levels.
You get a wide choice of schools with mixed ratings depending on the area. The town has a big station, shopping centres, riverside parks, and plenty of local services, so life feels convenient.
People like the good value for money, the many things to do, and the strong job market nearby, though it is not as quaint or charming as smaller towns.
It suits anyone who wants more amenities, more variety, and better property value while still staying close to London.
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Guildford feels like a smart town with a lovely high street, easy access to the countryside, and a calm but active atmosphere. Housing is expensive, and shops and restaurants sit in the mid to high price range.
The schools are well-regarded, most areas feel safe, and it works well for families. You get a good cultural scene, plenty of outdoor walks, nice shops, and strong rail links for commuting.
People enjoy the countryside on the doorstep and the friendly community, though the high property prices can be a drawback. It suits anyone who wants a countryside feel with a reliable commute and strong local amenities.
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Woking feels suburban and modern in many areas, with good shopping, services, and plenty of new developments. Housing is often cheaper than in Guildford, though still above the national average.
The schools are good, most areas feel safe, and day-to-day life is convenient. You get a busy station, parks, shops, and a layout that makes commuting easy.
People like the short train times, the solid local services, and the balanced lifestyle, though it does not have the charm of older market towns. It suits commuters who want fast links to London and modern conveniences without paying the highest Surrey prices.
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Watford feels like a busy town with a big shopping centre and strong transport links, and it sits close to London while staying more affordable than places like St Albans or Guildford. Housing costs are lower, and daily prices match what you see in most Hertfordshire towns.
The schools are a mix, with some very good ones and some areas that show higher crime numbers, so it helps to check each neighbourhood. You get parks, cinemas, shops, and both rail and tube links, including the Metropolitan line.
People like the very short train ride into central London and the easy travel options, though some parts of the town look less polished, and the feel can change a lot by area.
It works best for commuters who want the fastest travel times and lower housing costs compared to the pricier commuter towns.
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Slough feels busy and practical, with lots of businesses, big employers, and ongoing redevelopment across the town. Housing is cheaper than in many places in Berkshire or Surrey, though prices have been rising as the area improves.
The schools are mixed, and some neighbourhoods feel more industrial than residential. You get strong road and rail links, quick trains to Paddington, and a town centre that keeps growing.
People choose Slough for the fast commute, the good value for its location, and the strong job market, though it is not the most picturesque place, and some areas still look very industrial.
It suits professionals who want the quickest access to London and strong value close to the city.
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Sevenoaks feels leafy and affluent, with a calm town centre and a village-style atmosphere in many areas. Housing is on the expensive side for Kent, but people choose it because they get more space and access to some of the best schools in the county.
Most parts have low crime and a very family-friendly feel. You get boutiques, country parks, and quick access to the Kent countryside, so daily life feels relaxed and outdoorsy.
The commuter links are strong, the schools are excellent, and the overall quality of life is high, though it can feel quiet if you enjoy nightlife. It suits families who want top schools, a peaceful environment, and a smooth commute into London.
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Epsom feels like a classic Surrey town with a friendly atmosphere, spacious family areas, and the well-known racecourse adding character to the place. House prices are high, but many people choose them because they get more space than they would inside London.
The schools are good, crime is generally low, and everyday life feels safe and steady. You get parks, shops, the racecourse, and solid local services that make things easy.
People like the strong commuter links and the calm family vibe, though housing costs can be a challenge, and the area gets congested on race days.
It suits families who want Surrey living with a reliable commute into London.
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Chelmsford feels like a growing city with a nice balance of shops, services, and countryside nearby, making it a clear commuter hub in Essex. Housing is often cheaper than in many Surrey towns but higher than in some outlying Essex villages, and new developments are adding more homes.
The schools are good and improving, safety is standard for a mid-sized city, and daily life is convenient. You get growing retail, parks, river walks, and station upgrades like the Beaulieu Park project.
People like the reliable trains into Liverpool Street and improving infrastructure, though the commute is longer than West London routes, and some areas can feel busy.
It suits people who work on the east side of London or want a growing city base with decent value.
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If you must commute daily, pick a town with a train time you can live with and check how close your home would be to the station. Fast trains save time. But fast trains can raise house prices. If you want more space and value, move slightly further out (Reading or Slough).
If you want the shortest commute and are okay with paying more, choose places like St Albans, Maidenhead, or Watford. Always check schools, local crime stats for the exact ward, and train reliability for your exact route before you put in an offer.
Hopefully, this list of 10 of the best commuter towns near London you can move to has helped you make the right decision.
If you’re moving to any of these Commuter towns, following this step-by-step packing guide with Easy Way Removals will make everything much easier.
