How do commuters get to their local railway station?

LostBuyer

Hi all,

I have been living in the UK for 5 years, renting, always in London, so do not know much what is “out there”. I know lots of places, but as a tourist. Now, the time to buy has come. Already got the approval from two lenders. The crucial question is where?

I am used to the conveniences of London living, mainly transport. I know if I live around London, say Hertfordshire for example, I noticed the local buses are not frequent, some towns it finishes by 7:00 PM, like Welwyn Garden City.

For those who commute to London, how do you get to your local railway station, walking, bus, cycling, driving? To consider a property outside London, does it have to be within a walking distance from the railway station?

I am completely lost on this. Any help, suggestion or details from your home search or commuting experience are very welcome!

Thanks in advance.

Lost Buyer

I_have_spoken

I used the car (Peterborough station), judging by the size of station car-parks that probably the main choice.

tigsly

I walk - its 5 mins to the station.

lr1277

Walk, bus, cycle or drive.

In my town you can get a bus pass which is added onto your train ticket. Then you can get buses to/from within a certain distance of the station. There are also services that only run at the 'going to/coming from' work times.

dumpallhere

1. Search for a home in a place where public transport (buses) is available at odd hours (early morning / late evenings).
2. Find a home close to train station (10-20min walk).
3. Cycle.
4. Search for a place where train station has ample parking places. Get a annual parking ticket, drive to station and park. Do note that you might have to start early from home to find a place in the station parking lot - where I am (20min. by train to KGX), the station parking is choc a block by 8am.

Currently living 15 min. walking distance from railway station. Moving in a couple of months to a rural area where there is just one bus every hour between 9 and 5 (ha ha) and the train station is 2.5 miles away. So in near future the 15 min. will be spent driving to/from the station.

Lavendyr

I walk - live about 15 mins from our nearest station.

SuzieSue

I have always lived within a 10 minute walk of a railway station although obviously house prices and rents are higher than for houses further away.

I would never rely on a bus to get to and from a station, although I know people do, but for me having to stand in the cold for a bus is a definite no.

A lot of people get dropped off by car at train stations (I do now even though I am within walking distance because I am lazy), but I doubt I would ever buy a house where I had to drive to a station as the costs of owning and parking a car would be prohibitive. Obviously, if I earned more then this would be my preferred option.