Cheapest town/ cities that are commutable to london

Sunsaru

Tiglet2 said:

Sunsaru said:

Lavendyr said:

More context from another of OP's threads:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6413951/is-there-any-chance-for-me-to-buy

"Basically I live in Hertfordshire, I have around 10,000 in savings. I would live where I commute to cheshunt and Stevenage easily. I work in London so would need to be able to get into London. My salary is 28000."

Ahh in that case, Hatfield is actually OP's best bet.

Is Stevenage cheaper than Hatfield?

They used to be comparable but Stevenage is on the up due to more houses going up and more amenities in general.

The only thing Hatfield has going for it the University and a decent Asda.

EDIT: Just did a check on RM and and the price to rent a 1 bed flat is pretty much the same in both. Rail fares would be more expensive in Stevenage though but quicker trains to London.

Noneforit999

ayupmeduck said:

Not the South coast, too expensive and terrible trains

Trains have got better (ignoring the strikes) since Covid in my opinion, as in there are less delays but that is based on my own experience so not representative. I have found with less people using the service, its less busy and more reliable. 

I commute from Kent 2-3x a week into the City and Crossrail has lopped about 30 minutes off my journey each way, gone from a 1 hour 45 min journey to a 1 hour 15 minute door to door just by changing at Abbey Wood and jumping on the Elizabeth line. 

Its the cost that is prohibitive, its cheaper for me to drive to a Zone 6 station from Kent, pay to park and use contactless than use my local station, even accounting for fuel.

Local station is £6.70 to park and £36 return.

Zone six is £10 in fuel, £3.70 to park and £9 contactless. 

£20 a day difference so at least £160 a month, probably nearer £200pm.

To answer the OP question, it depends on what you consider commutable. Most of the surrounding counties have towns which are both 'affordable' and commutable. Kent has HS1 so you can get from Medway in 33 minutes to St Pan, even quicker from Ebbsfleet and the costs to buy are cheaper than London.