Top 5 commuter towns in Essex within an hour's commute from London
Top 5 commuter towns in Essex within an hour's commute from London
Whether or not working from home remains in our future once the COVID-19 pandemic has moved on, the commute vs. community question is one that dominates discussions where living locations are concerned. Being close to London for work may still be essential but you may also be keen to enjoy the benefits of locations that aren't within the centre of the city itself. These commuter towns top our list of places to live in Essex, as they have a lot to offer and are just an hour's commute from key areas such as The City and The West End.
Epping
Epping is described as peaceful and pleasant and has been a popular location with families moving out of north and northeast London in recent years. This is a pretty market town with a quick London commute (30 minutes to Bank station) and a vibrant local community with plenty of amenities and development on the horizon. The legendary Epping Forest is on your doorstep here as well as the Epping Golf Course and the historic Copped Hall.
Buckhurst Hill
The Central Line will take you from The City or The West End out to the leafy streets of Buckhurst Hill in less than an hour. There is a strong sense of community in this location, from the independent retailers that line the Queen's Road to the local football club and the Forest Edge Allotments. Green space is abundant too, as is an array of local pubs, restaurants and cafes that all give Buckhurst Hill a pleasant village feel.
Chelmsford
Chelmsford is renowned for being the birthplace of radio and recently became the first city in Essex. It is just over 30 minutes by train to Liverpool Street station and an easy 15-minute drive to the M25, connecting to areas such as the Home Counties. Property costs here have risen in recent years but the area still remains affordable and has a lot to offer, from the 20 local parks to the walking routes along the River Can and River Chelmer and local adventure and leisure parks.
Billericay
From the lively high street to the peace and quiet of the nature reserves that surround the town, Billericay has much more of a village and countryside atmosphere than you might expect from an Essex hot spot. The train to Liverpool Street station takes just 30 minutes and Southend Airport is a 35-minute drive away. Billericay is great for nature lovers but also has plenty of culture, such as the local beer festival, and a bustling shopping district that stretches across the High Street and Radford Way.
Brentwood
With trains every 10 minutes that will deliver you to Liverpool Street station in 40 minutes, Brentwood is exceptionally well connected - but that's not all that this location has to offer. The high street here combines big brands and local stores and getting out of the town will take you quickly into nature, for example Weald Country Park and the Hopefield Animal Sanctuary. There are historic spots, such as Ingatestone Hall, and plenty of local entertainment, from windmills to a local ski and snowboard centre.
Essex has some fantastic locations, whether you're looking for family friendly activities or tight knit local communities. These are the 5 commuter towns in Essex that top our list.
