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A GUIDE TO MOVING OUT OF LONDON Total number of homes bought outside the capital by Londoners

by Aneisha Beveridge 120,000 Head of Research Hamptons International 100,000 LONDON 80,000 60,000 Movers 40,000 The path between London’s housing market and the country is a well- 20,000 trodden one. And, it’s worth remembering that the implications of what happens in the capital can reach far beyond its outer suburbs. 0 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015 2017 2019 Last year 73,000 Londoners upped 2019 bought in the South East, sticks to buy a home outside of South West or East of . the capital, spending a collective Staying within commuter distance total of £26.2 billion. Historically, to the capital means benefitting London leavers moved as they from the better-paying jobs Average age of a London leaver buying a home hit life stage milestones such as that tend to be in London, even needing more space for a growing allowing for travel costs. family, an improved work-life In 2019, more than half of 47 46 46 balance or even to retire. However, the homes sold in Broxbourne, 45 for others leaving the capital has Epping Forest, Thurrock, Epsom 44 become the only route to getting and Hertsmere were bought by 43 42 42 onto the housing ladder. As a a London buyer. And, looking 41 41 result, the average age of someone further afield, Bristol, Bath and 39 leaving London to purchase a North East Somerset are growing home has fallen to the lowest level in appeal. The electrification of on record to just 39 years old. the train line to London means While an increasing number journey times can be under of Londoners headed further an hour and a half, making it North to purchase their home last a feasible commuting option. year, the traditional commuter Also, the growing trend for belt is still the most popular employers to offer flexibility destination. More than two thirds around working locations means 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 (69%) of Londoners purchasing the cost of the daily commute homes outside the capital in isn’t always a necessary factor.

March 2020 1 Source: Hamptons International TOP TIPS

With any house move there is always a lot to think about, even more 2 3 4 so if you’re considering a move out of London to a completely new area. Here are our top tips to help make those decisions a bit easier. House prices Journey time Schools How much house will Don’t forget to factor Deciding on the best you get for your money? in the time it takes to schools can be challenging Rightmove or Zoopla are get to and from the at the best of times. For useful guides and our station, and whether independent schools people are available to there’s parking nearby. reviews, state and private. provide advice. The Good Schools Guide is 1 a useful source.

Getting to work Working out exactly how much a season ticket costs should be top of your ‘To Do’ list. 5 6 7

Transport links The nearest town Shopping What is the weekend rail Think about the day- There may be a corner service like? Is there a to-day amenities you shop in the village, bus service? And how far might need: an ATM, post but don’t take that are the motorways that office, doctors, dentist, for granted. How link you to the airports, a cafe or cosy pub. close is the nearest the coast and beyond? supermarket?

8 9 10

Open spaces Leisure time Friends and family One reason for escaping Most towns have a sports What will the journey the city is to enjoy the centre with swimming be like for your nearest green open spaces pool, but what other and dearest to visit so take the time to leisure activities are your new home? explore what could available in the area? be on the doorstep.

2 Hamptons Roadshow March 2020 3

Berkshire’s most iconic towns, Windsor, Ascot and Sunningdale, all sit within the county’s golden triangle. For anyone thinking of moving there, the appeal is obvious: excellent transport links, easy access to the beautiful and some of AREA GUIDES the best schools in the country. Key Attractions Historic Windsor is just 20 miles Hamptons’ network of over 90 branches, from London, and although it’s 40 in London, across the south of England the castle that draws the crowds, means we have most areas covered. Our the town itself has a good mix of shops, cafes, and restaurants. branches all work together to connect buyers Ascot, 30 miles south-west of and sellers looking to move to the country London is surrounded by heaths and woodland to explore, and there’s and our country experts are available for also the beautifully landscaped an informal chat to give help and advice open space of Virginia Water. on the local property market and area. Sunningdale is another jewel in Berkshire’s crown. A large village in the far south-west corner of this popular For more information and insight county, it is characterised by the variety Virginia Water on moving out of London of ultra-prime property and assortment of up-market boutiques and restaurants. hamptons.co.uk/london-roadshow The open space of Chobham AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES Common, the South East’s largest National Nature Reserve is also on Flat £199,750 the doorstep.Transport Links Terraced £277,420 The transport links are outstanding, Semi-Detached £346,490 with mainline trains to London in under an hour. And the motorway links are Detached £575,480 excellent too, with easy access to major motorway networks including the M4, AVERAGE RENTS (PCM) M25 and M40. 1 Bedroom £770 CONTACT 2 Bedroom £980 » Gary Hammond 3 Bedroom £1,270 » 020 7493 8222 » [email protected] 4 Bedroom £1,820 Source: Land Registry

March 2020 5 Hertfordshire

Oxfordshire has it all; the buzz of city life, plus the more relaxed, country lifestyle Hertfordshire is a beautiful part of the world, with busy towns, quiet countryside, and you’ll find in Chipping Norton or Banbury, two quintessential market towns. Perhaps lots to explore and enjoy. Towns like St Albans and Harpenden buzz with activity best known for its educational heritage, Oxford is a bustling cosmopolitan mix of and amenities. Then there are quieter villages like Hitchin, deep in the Hertfordshire culture, entertainment, cafes, bars and restaurants. But there’s more to Oxford than countryside. For young families with schooling on their minds, there’s an excellent its 39 colleges: renowned manufacturing, education and publishing industries and a selection of state, secondary and independent schools to choose from. flourishing hi-tech community. Key Attractions AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES Key Attractions The historic market town of St Albans Oxford is awash with culture and history, is best known for its vast medieval Flat £251,310 with an abundance of theatres, galleries cathedral and Roman connections. Terraced £346,630 and well-stocked libraries. Shops? The city centre has a good mix of They’re here too, from the larger chains entertainment, shopping, bars, Semi-Detached £466,130 to smaller independent retailers. restaurants. Detached £796,490 Banbury, famous for its cakes, is Harpenden sits between Luton and 64 miles northwest of London and 37 St. Albans, and is flanked by the villages AVERAGE RENTS (PCM) miles southeast of Birmingham, so of Redbourn and Wheathampstead. commuting in either direction is doable. Despite being a thriving commuter town, 1 Bedroom £820 The town itself has lots of history and it feels like a village with its tree-lined today, along with Oxford, is the county’s high street and lush, green common. 2 Bedroom £1,130 main commercial and retail centre. 3 Bedroom £1,420 Oxford University The classic market town of Chipping Transport Links 4 Bedroom £1,930 Norton has a rather exclusive reputation, The fantastic transport links and short Source: Land Registry largely due to an ex-prime minister, AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES journey times to the capital make and its nearby villages and trademark Hertfordshire an ideal commuter yellow limestone houses make it very Flat £214,400 location. St. Albans, only 20 miles north- popular with visitors and residents. Terraced £294,720 west of London, is a 20-minute train journey (not a bad selling point), and Semi-Detached £361,740 Transport Links Luton Airport is on the doorstep too at Detached £558,740 There are excellent rail and road links less than five miles away. to London and the rest of the country, AVERAGE RENTS (PCM) with the M4 and M40 close by. Trains into London Marylebone are regular and CONTACT 1 Bedroom £820 relatively swift at just over an hour. » Ric Merlo 2 Bedroom £1,110 » 020 7493 8222 CONTACT » [email protected] 3 Bedroom £1,330 » Charlie Wellbelove 4 Bedroom £1,900 » 020 7493 8222 Source: Land Registry » [email protected] St. Alban’s Cathedral

6 Hamptons Roadshow March 2020 7 The Buckinghamshire

If you had to choose an area that epitomises the English countryside, The Cotswolds Buckinghamshire has villages with that quintessentially English, rustic appeal, would top the list. Cheltenham, famous for its architecture, parks, great shopping but it’s not all sleepy villages. Commuter belt towns such as Amersham, and festivals is the central town in the area, whilst the charming Roman town of Beaconsfield, Gerrards Cross and Marlow, offer the best of both worlds Cirencester is often referred to as the capital of the Cotswolds. And, Broadway, a with the additional benefit of some of the best schools in the country. bustling north Cotswold village, offers a more sophisticated take on rural life. Key Attractions AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES Key Attractions The market town of Amersham sits in The Cotswolds has obvious appeal to the undulating , on the Flat £183,670 anyone who enjoys the outdoor life. River Misbourne. Old Amersham’s Terraced £242,970 There are plenty of walking trails that high street steals attention with make the most of the stunning views its half-timbered medieval houses Semi-Detached £280,650 and idyllic countryside, and, if you’re and Georgian frontages. If modern Detached £442,690 a fan of horses, whether riding or housing is more your preference, watching, then The Cotswolds is for you. Amersham on the Hill, positioned on Alternatively, if retail opportunities a raised plateau, is worth exploring. AVERAGE RENTS (PCM) and good food is more your style, Beaconsfield is another popular town 1 Bedroom £730 then Cheltenham and Cirencester that’s divided into the old and new. offer great shopping, Michelin Star The ‘old town’ has a well-kept main 2 Bedroom £970 restaurants and cosy country pubs. street with some interesting shops and 3 Bedroom £1,240 pubs, while the compact ‘new town’ is Amersham 4 Bedroom £1,320 Transport Links where you’ll find everything from sports equipment to musical instruments, arts Source: Land Registry The Cotswolds is well located for and crafts to fashion and millinery. access to the M4, M5 and the A40/ AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES M40, and there are regular, direct train services to London Paddington, Transport Links Flat £227,130 Birmingham and Bristol. There are plenty of options here. Trains Terraced £311,150 to London Marylebone take under an Semi-Detached £391,670 CONTACT hour, and north to Birmingham takes less than two hours. The M4 and M40 Detached £715,720 » Adam Lock » 020 7493 8222 motorways opens up the south and » [email protected] Heathrow airport is only 22 miles away. AVERAGE RENTS (PCM)

CONTACT 1 Bedroom £800

» Joanna Cocking 2 Bedroom £1,070 » 020 7493 8222 3 Bedroom £1,390 » [email protected] 4 Bedroom £1,920 Source: Land Registry Lower Slaughter, The Cotswolds

8 Hamptons Roadshow March 2020 9 Surrey

Hampshire offers London buyers city, coast and country, as well as easy Guildford, Godalming, Farnham (and many other towns and villages in the county) transport links to the capital. The many areas of outstanding natural offer quick and easy access to central London, along with the benefits of living beauty include the North Wessex Downs and , and good in the country. There are traditional market towns, popular shopping centres, schools, both state and independent, add to the county’s appeal. bags of history, lots of family-friendly attractions and beautiful countryside.

Key Attractions Key Attractions AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES Winchester, a city steeped in history, Farnham’s narrow streets are lined Flat £179,340 is famous for its stunning cathedral with some of the finest Georgian houses but is surrounded by many equally in the south of England. The surrounding Terraced £253,270 picturesque villages. Located 60 miles countryside includes a national park, Semi-Detached £315,590 south-west of London, its easy links Frensham Ponds and Waverley Abbey. Detached £509,350 to the and South Coast Epsom and Ewell is the smallest of make it a popular relocation option. Surrey’s 11 boroughs, just under 14 miles For a shorter commute and south-west of London the town straddles AVERAGE RENTS (PCM) more affordable house prices, the chalk of Epsom Downs and Fleet offer lots of and the upper Thanet Formation. 1 Bedroom £710 choice for families looking for a more The quaint market town of Haslemere 2 Bedroom £910 peaceful and convenient lifestyle. is 12 miles south-west of Guildford and 3 Bedroom £1,150 Both are busy towns with the usual is one of the gems of the Surrey Hills, retailers and good amenities and the an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 4 Bedroom £1,660 Castle Street, Farnham area is also the UK Headquarters of It’s also home to a bustling high street Source: Land Registry a number of well-known telecoms, and weekly markets with a reputation insurance and technology companies. for deliciously fresh, local produce. AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES Transport Links Transport Links Flat £258,720 Mainline stations at Basingstoke, Frequent rail services into London Fleet and Winchester, offer a provide commuters with the best Terraced £365,830 swift, direct service into London of both worlds. Train times range Semi-Detached £457,060 Waterloo, and there are excellent from 35 minutes to an hour. There Detached £793,420 road links to the M3 and M25. are also excellent road connections to the A3, M3 and M25, Gatwick CONTACT and Heathrow Airports AVERAGE RENTS (PCM)

» James Butler 1 Bedroom £900 » 020 7493 8222 CONTACT » [email protected] » Mark Wheeler 2 Bedroom £1,240 » 020 7493 8222 3 Bedroom £1,600 » [email protected] 4 Bedroom £2,280 Source: Land Registry The Priory Gate, Winchester

10 Hamptons Roadshow March 2020 11 Sussex

One of the benefits of the area is the quick and easy access to the coast. It’s not known as the Garden of England for nothing. Kent is one of the UK’s Seaside towns like Brighton and Hove have long been a popular choice with greenest counties with 4,200 miles of countryside and coastal paths. London buyers searching for an alternative lifestyle to the hubbub of the As well as its beautiful countryside, Kent has a thriving culture and arts capital, yet within commutable distance. There’s also the draw of excellent scene, especially in its larger towns like Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells. schools, both state and private, and the National Park. Excellent road and rail links to the capital and beyond make Kent a popular commuter destination. And you couldn’t be closer to Europe. Key Attractions Haywards Heath has become one Chichester is surrounded by beautiful of the most important towns in West Key Attractions AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES countryside and historical sites. One Sussex, growing at a steady rate The beautiful countryside of the High of the most well-preserved Georgian and providing jobs and housing. The Weald’s rolling hills, ancient woods Flat £183,630 frequent rail connections to the capital cities in the UK, the towering cathedral and open heaths means there’s plenty Terraced £247,640 dominates the city (neatly enclosed make it a popular option for commuters. to do: walking, cycling, water sports, Semi-Detached £313,550 within ancient walls.) There’s also Neighbouring villages like Cuckfield, riding (and that’s just for starters). the harbour for sailing enthusiasts, Uckfield and Lindfield with good Royal Tunbridge Wells is a large Detached £495,610 glorious Goodwood, and the nearby local schools and lots of community affluent town in western Kent, 40 seaside villages for great day trips. spirit are popular with families. miles southeast of London. An historic AVERAGE RENTS (PCM) The market town of Horsham is spa town, its colonnaded Pantiles 31 miles southwest of London and Transport Links and the high street is peppered 1 Bedroom £670 borders onto lots of open spaces Chichester is a hub for several main with independent shops and 2 Bedroom £910 and picturesque countryside. road routes, with easy access to upmarket cafes and restaurants. Gatwick and Southampton airports. Historical Sevenoaks and its 3 Bedroom £1,190 Trains to London Victoria take surrounding villages are begging to 4 Bedroom £1,610 AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES be explored. The town itself has no around one hour 35 minutes. Source: Land Registry Brighton has direct trains into London, lack of cafes and restaurants and Flat £188,440 in just under an hour, plus convenient well-known high street retailers. Terraced £277,500 road links to the M23. Haywards Semi-Detached £348,470 Heath and Horsham are equally Transport Links convenient for train travel to London Detached £539,640 Mainline trains into London’s Charing and Gatwick Airport with regular direct Cross take just under an hour. It’s also trains and convenient road links. the hub for roads out to Newhaven, AVERAGE RENTS (PCM) East Grinstead and Hastings. CONTACT 1 Bedroom £780 » Mike Sparks CONTACT 2 Bedroom £1,020 » 020 7493 8222 » Linda Wesson » [email protected] 3 Bedroom £1,280 » 020 7493 8222 » [email protected] 4 Bedroom £1,810 Source: Land Registry

Ide Hill

12 Hamptons Roadshow March 2020 13 RAIL COMMUTER TIMES TO LONDON

BEDS, HERTS & MIDDLESEX SOUTH EAST

Amersham 35 mins ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Brighton & Hove 52 mins ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Beaconsfield 23 mins ||||||||||||| Caterham 45 mins |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Gerrards Cross 19 mins |||||||| Chichester 1 hr 35 mins ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Great Missenden 40 mins |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Epsom 36 mins ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Harpenden 26 mins |||||||||||||||||| Guildford 32 mins ||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Henley-on-Thames 1 hr |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Godalming 39 mins ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Marlow 1 hr |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Haywards Heath 41 mins |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Rickmansworth 26 mins |||||||||||||||||| Horsham 51 mins ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| St. Albans 20 mins ||||||||| Sevenoaks 23 mins ||||||||||||| Wheathampstead 36 mins ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Tunbridge Wells 44 mins ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

NORTH SURREY & BERKSHIRE WESTERN REGION

Esher 28 mins ||||||||||||||||||||| Banbury 58 mins |||||||||||||||||||||| Maidenhead 16 mins ||| Bath 1 hr 20 mins |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Sunningdale 50 mins ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Bristol 1 hr 20 mins |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Weybridge & Walton 29 mins |||||||||||||||||||||| Broadway 2 hrs |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Windsor 29 mins |||||||||||||||||||||| Cheltenham 1 hrs 56 mins |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Cirencester 1 hr 28 mins |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Deddington 1 hr 25 mins |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| SOUTHERN Headington 1 hr |||||||||||||||||||||||| Marlborough 1 hr 30 mins |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Newbury 42 mins |||||||||| Alton 1 hr 8 mins |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Oxford 47 mins |||||||||||||| Farnham 55 mins ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Painswick 1 hr 50 mins ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Fleet 40 mins |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Stratford-upon-Avon 2 hrs |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Haslemere 50 mins ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Stroud 1 hr 23 mins ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Liphook 1 hr 5 mins ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Salisbury 1 hr 20 mins ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| Winchester 58 mins |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

14 Hamptons Roadshow March 2020 15 OUR BRANCH NETWORK

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