A survey of those looking to move home in the next five years has found that 42 per cent of people are willing to travel further to get to work than before the pandemic.
But half of those said they’d only do so if they can work from home some of the time, revealed Strutt & Parker’s Housing Futures report.
As an increasing number of businesses row back flexible policies, London workers who decamped to Margate, Manchester or Madrid might find themselves themselves in a commute conundrum.
Even home-working conduit Zoom, whose once fully remote workforce includes 200 UK employees, announced last month that staff would expected in the office at least twice a week.
Enter the hedge-your-bets move. Along with green space and lower property prices, it factors in a commute that would still be tolerable if doubled or tripled in frequency – should your employer put the squeeze on hybrid working. In a sense it is a vote of confidence for the classic commuter spot, where accessible stations offer swift and (reasonably) reliable routes into town.
We’ve rounded up 10 of the best homes for sale within the best-connected commuter towns, from Amersham to St Albans.
Sevenoaks, Kent
£995,000
Tucked away on a private, no-through road near the station, this detached home is on the market for first time in 60 years. Perks include a garage, utility, pantry and store, and the large garden is south facing.
Savills, 01732 444945
Chelmsford, Essex
£625,000
A late Victorian four-bedroom family home with well-executed loft and rear extensions. The current layout includes a utility room and three bathrooms, plus a downstairs WC.
Strutt & Parker, 01245 254606
Iver, Buckinghamshire
£550,000
This character cottage has three double bedrooms, a conservatory and a utility room, plus front and rear gardens. It’s fifteen minutes’ walk from an Elizabeth line station and is being sold without a chain.
Oakwood Estates, 01753 916878
Royston, Hertfordshire
£900,000
A deceptively vast Grade II-listed house in the conservation area of this historic town. There’s over 3,000 square feet of space, including a summer house and a separate, two-storey annexe with three bedrooms.
Strutt & Parker, 01245 254606
Epping, Essex
£350,000
This appealing detached home has two double bedrooms, two reception rooms and outbuildings in the large rear garden. Features include mullion sash windows and some original wood floors.
Carter Jonas, 01223 972792
Watford, Hertfordshire
£625,000
A spacious four-bedroom maisonette within a Victorian conversion, half a mile from Watford Junction station. Highlights include high ceilings and cornicing, but some modernisation is required.
Hamptons, 01923 953168
Guildford, Surrey
£580,000
This double-fronted cottage tucked away by the canal has three bedrooms and three reception rooms, plus a separate study. From here it’s only a few minutes’ walk to the mainline station.
Seymours, 01483 967257
Amersham, Buckinghamshire
£760,000
A spacious four-bedroom Thirties semi in this popular market town at the end of the Metropolitan line. There’s an extra study room downstairs and a secluded mature garden to the rear.
Robsons, 01494 341342
Windsor, Berkshire
£500,000
This modernist three-bedroom townhouse has a classic midcentury layout, plus a private courtyard garden and access to wider communal grounds. It’s being sold without a chain.
Chancellors, 01753 980042
St Albans, Hertfordshire
£540,000
A neutrally decorated two-up, two-down cottage within walking distance of the station. It’s got a good size, low-maintenance garden and open fireplaces in both reception rooms. No onward chain.
