Large commuter homes - for under £400,000
Owning a property in London has become so laughably expensive that thousands of people can never imagine moving out of rental accommodation. There is, however, an alternative: you can move a little bit further afield and get dramatically more for your money.
In order to demonstrate the gulf between what your cash will get you in the capital and what it buys a bit further out, Plentific.com has unearthed five great commuter properties, for a budget of under £400,000.
Bicester, Oxfordshire
The commute to London Marylebone is just 46 minutes - making this a very reasonable journey to the capital. The average season ticket is £4,692 at the moment - which you'll need to factor into your budgeting. However, the average property value is just £347,112, which means there may well be something in your price range
One lovely option on the market is the fairytale cottage above, with three bedrooms, an extensive garden, and idyllic surroundings. It'll set you back just £380,000.
Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire
The commute is just 32 minutes to Euston, and while the season ticket will cost £4,228 a year, the average property costs just £334,165. This four-bedroom property is at the top end of the budget, costing £399,995, but it offers an impressive amount of space for your money.
Didcot, Oxfordshire
It's not an enormously glamorous location, but with 45 minutes to Paddington, and an average property price of £336,711, Didcot could work for you. The season ticket will set you back £4,832, and this three-bedroom semi will cost £350,000. However, it comes with a fabulous bonus - an annex. This could work for an older relative or a tenant, and with just a little bit of work, it could be a beauty.
Southend-on-Sea, Essex
You can even get a beach for your money if you're willing to increase your journey time to 55 minutes to Liverpool Street. The season ticket is cheaper - at £3,704, and the average property price is lower too, at £270,850. This one costs a little more - at £385,000, but this three-bedroom semi could be a stunner if you're willing to apply a tin of paint or two.
Maidstone, Kent
This is another slightly longer commute - at 53 minutes to St Pancras. It's pricier, because the season ticket will set you back £4,264 and the average property £319,839. This four bedroom detached property, however, costs just £325,000, and offers the opportunity to extend into the garage or back garden for another bedroom or a bigger kitchen.
Cem Savas, Co-Founder of Plentific.com, said: "These five examples demonstrate what can be achieved with a budget which is modest when compared to the London property prices. Any London homeowner can exchange their flat for more than twice the space with a similar commute time."
The question is, do any of them appeal, or would you rather stick with your rented property closer to town?
