10 reasons to move out of London — to the commuter towns or beyond

More and more Russian-speaking families in London are thinking about moving out of the city — into the so-called commuter belt (the satellite towns people commute to the capital from), or even further afield into the counties and countryside. Here are ten reasons why it often turns out to be a smart and comfortable choice.

1. Rent and housing are noticeably cheaper. Average rent across Greater London is around £1,672 a month. In the nearer commuter towns it is markedly lower: for example, about £993 in Thurrock (Essex) and around £1,044 in Slough (Berkshire). That is a difference of £600–680 a month, or £7,000–8,000 a year.

ADV · A001ONLYWAY JEWELRY — gold, silver and platinumRings, chains, bracelets, earrings and pendants. Delivery across the UK.Advertise here

2. More space for the same money. Instead of a cramped London flat, the same budget often buys or rents a house with several bedrooms, a separate kitchen and a room to use as an office. For families with children or people who work from home, that changes everything.

3. A garden and parking of your own. Out of town you are far more likely to have your own garden and a place to park by the house — a rare luxury in central London, where parking can cost extra.

4. You still save even after the commute. Yes, you will need a season ticket (an annual or monthly rail pass). An annual ticket from the nearer towns runs to roughly £3,000–4,000, and from Thurrock to the London terminals it is about £273 a month. Even after the fare, many people are still left with a net saving of £300–400 a month.

5. Nature, fresh air and quiet. Greenery, parks, fields and rivers are close by. The air is cleaner, there is less noise, and the evenings are genuinely calm — a real plus for your health and nerves.

6. Lower overall cost of living. Parking, cafés, hairdressers and children's clubs are usually cheaper than in London. That said, council tax (the local-authority tax) depends on the area and the property band: sometimes it is lower, sometimes higher, so it is worth checking in advance.

7. Schools and the catchment area. Smaller towns often have good state schools with less crowded classes. The key idea is the catchment area — the zone a school takes its pupils from first; living near a good school makes it easier to get a place.

8. Calmer and usually safer. Street crime tends to be lower in small towns and suburbs than in the densely populated parts of the capital. It feels safer to let children play outside.

9. A sense of community. Out of town it is easier to get to know your neighbours and make connections through local shops, churches and clubs. Life feels less anonymous than in a big city.

10. Remote work makes it realistic. Thanks to hybrid work (part of the week in the office, part at home), many people now travel into London only two or three times a week. A longer journey then stops being a daily problem, and the advantages of life out of town come to the fore.

And if you go even further? Moving to the home counties (Surrey, Kent, Essex and Hertfordshire around London) or to more distant regions and the coast brings even bigger housing savings. But it is only fair to weigh the downsides: the journey is longer and dearer, life is harder without a car, and there are fewer jobs and amenities nearby. Before deciding, check the transport links and timetables, work out the real cost of a season ticket and your full budget and, if you can, try living in the chosen place first. For many families the move means a bigger home, more peace and money that stays in their pocket.