Best Commuter Towns Near London 2022

Like with any property investment location, the best commuter towns have several, specific characteristics. Generally speaking, investors should always search for locations with tenant demand and strong rental yields, but when investing in towns near London, there is usually more to consider. 

At Joseph Mews, we measure the best commuter towns based on multiple factors:

Property Prices | Rental Yields | Tenant Demand | Population | Regeneration | Career Opportunities | BTL Opportunities | Transport Links

Based on these metrics, we’ve identified the best commuter towns near London.

Reading is one of the most well-known towns in the South East, and has a reputation of being one of the UK’s biggest tech hubs. In addition to housing the likes of Oracle and Microsoft, Reading is also home to a leading university and the renowned Reading Festival. 

Amongst the region’s wider regeneration schemes is Reading’s very own redevelopment project. Station Hill is at the centre of the town’s regeneration, which will deliver new outdoor spaces and public realms in the heart of Reading. 

The expansive regeneration of Station Hill will likely catalyse further investment into surrounding areas. Not only will this build on the town’s amenities, it will bring a wealth of new employment opportunities with it. While Reading already houses many finance giants, including EY, PwC and Deloitte, these additional jobs will further strengthen the economy. 

Reading is just a 25-minute commute from the capital, but with these increasing job opportunities, tenants have more options to both live and work in the town. 

Between Reading and London you’ll find Wokingham – a small market town on the outskirts of the capital. This Berkshire town is full of green spaces, which has long made it a popular spot amongst transient tenants and London leavers. 

With its very own theatre, nature reserves and country parks, Wokingham has something for everyone. The town will continue to build upon its cultural offerings in the coming years, and will deliver Peach Palace – a project that will bring new shops, public squares and amenities to the centre of Wokingham.

Similar to other commuter towns near London, Wokingham has links to London Paddington and Waterloo, making it a perfect spot for transient tenants or a destination for quick staycations. With research suggesting that 31.8% of workers in the area are in professional positions, residents not only have easy access to London’s employment base, they also have a wealth of jobs on their doorstep.

Although the Royal family usually springs to mind when you think of Windsor, this is just one of many advantages the town offers. This Berkshire town is home to multiple racecourses, a Legoland resort and several shopping centres, meaning there’s something for everyone in Windsor. 

In addition to the town’s amenities, Windsor also has an established network of academic institutions, which has long made the town a hotspot amongst families. Producing numerous prime ministers and British leaders, it’s no surprise St. George’s Primary School and Eton College are attracting more families to the area.

While the town already has a solid basis of amenities, educational facilities and transport links, the ongoing regeneration projects will only strengthen this further. The Windsor Link Railway is a key project in Windsor, which has already connected Slough with London Waterloo. Eventually, this ambitious scheme will strengthen the town’s connections to Heathrow and the South East.

Luton is best known for its transport links. As well as offering direct trains to London in under 30 minutes, the town also houses one of the UK’s largest airports. With a strong foundation of transport links, more than 23 million people can reach Luton within a two-hour commute.

While Luton has long been considered a commuter town and nothing more, the local council has implemented an expansive regeneration scheme to transform it into a town for living, travelling and socialising. The Luton 2040 project will welcome new amenities and hospitality spots to the town, providing a wealth of new employment opportunities across Luton.

St. Albans is a cathedral city with a rich history. Located on the outskirts of the capital, St. Albans is often a popular location for those looking for a quieter alternative to London. Full of museums and street markets, this cathedral city feels worlds away from London, despite it only being a 20-minute train journey.

As well as offering direct routes to London, St. Albans has links to the UK’s major airports. Gatwick and Luton are just a stone’s throw from the city, and with the M1 and M25 just around the corner, residents benefit from the accessibility of the area. 

29 miles North of London you’ll find Stevenage, a small town in Hertfordshire. Despite its size, Stevenage is at the centre of an incredible regeneration project. The redevelopment began in 2019 and will continue for the next 18 years, revitalising the town from top to bottom. 

As this regeneration project continues to spiral throughout the town, residents are starting to benefit from new retail hubs and vibrant public spheres. When considered in conjunction with the town’s growing employment opportunities, Stevenage offers the perfect balance of connectivity, opportunities and amenities.