With a desire to be close to expansive green spaces and with flexible working here to stay, many buyers have made a personal choice in the last few years to move out of the capital and explore further afield for their new home.
Moving out of London has enabled buyers to not only get more for their money but to enjoy the best of both worlds – with access to a plethora of amenities, green open space, educational facilities, and transport connections all on the doorstep, with no compromise is needed.
Here, we pick out five out-of-London hotspots which have been attracting buyers from the capital.
Hertfordshire – Best For Young Professionals
Watford’s growing social scene, varied retail offering, and excellent transport network has seen it become a growing destination for buyers looking for a home with a good commute into central London while benefitting from the tranquillity of county life nearby. With a combination of independent shops, restaurants, and cafes, large retail brands and new facilities have seen it become a new hub for those looking to enjoy a diverse lifestyle.
Moments from the high street and one of the latest additions to Watford is The Arches, by St William. Now over 60% sold, each property features a high-quality specification and stylish interiors throughout as well as private outside space. Set within a gated development and surrounded by attractive landscaped grounds, the remaining two-bedroom apartments are ready to move into now (prices start from £450,000, www.thearcheswatford.co.uk).
Berkshire – Best For Luxury Living
Over in Berkshire, Sunninghill is a quintessential village proving popular with buyers looking for a characterful place to call home. With Ascot just a few minutes away, this pocket of Berkshire provides a luxurious lifestyle, with quick and easy access to the world-renowned Ascot Racecourse, an array of Michelin-starred restaurants as well as independent boutiques and leading brand stores. The capital is also easy, with direct trains to Waterloo taking under an hour.
Beechgrove, by leading home counties developer, Millgate, is located in this sought-after village and the collection of two-bedroom apartments perfectly complements the local lifestyle on offer. Set behind private gates and surrounded by nine acres of charming private landscaped grounds, each property boasts a private balcony or terrace, many with views over the beautiful green surroundings (prices start from £1,165,000, www.millgatehomes.co.uk)
Buckinghamshire – Best For The Blend Of City And Country
Milton Keynes is another growing home county hotspot. The town’s growing community feel, well-connected location, and impressive shopping scene recently it named ‘the best ‘burb in Britain for under-40s’ by estate agency, Hamptons.
One development in Milton Keynes offering the perfect blend of country, town, and city living is Tattenhoe Park by Countryside. The one to five-bedroom homes – a mix of coach houses, apartments, and houses – enjoy excellent travel connections to London yet are within walking distance of Tattenhoe Valley Park – ideal for leisurely walks and wildlife spotting with its trim trail and picnic areas (prices start from £359,950, www.countrysidetattenhoe.com)
Essex – Best For The Best Of Both Worlds
Over in Essex, nestled on the coastline, lies a hidden gem, St Osyth. Perfectly positioned in one of the county’s most desirable areas, this quaint village is surrounded by the beautiful English countryside yet lies within easy reach of the bustling town of Colchester, offering those lucky enough to live there the best of both worlds. St Osyth Priory, from City & Country, is one of the latest additions to the area and offers a rare opportunity to live next to the historic Priory.
The new homes range from large four-bedroom detached houses to one-bedroom apartments, all securely located within a gated development and set within a beautiful natural landscape (prices from £290,000 www.cityandcountry.co.uk/stosythpriory)
Kent – Best For Life By The Water
Over in Kent sits Azure on St Mary’s Island – Britain’s only planned new island community. As a somewhat undiscovered gem, the island enjoys a prime position in the ever-popular home counties, with London a very quick train journey away. With its great connectivity, a strong community and an abundance of green space and amenities on the doorstep, Azure at St Mary’s Island is fast becoming a waterside hotspot amongst young professionals and those moving out from the capital in search of a change in lifestyle.
Maritime Mews marks the final collection of new homes to launch at Azure, representing not only the last chance for buyers to purchase a new home at the scheme but marks a 26-year journey that has seen the complete transformation of this impressive site (prices start from £347,500, https://www.countrysideproperties.com/all-developments/kent/azure).