Pondering a move away from London's busy streets and crowded amenities? Here, Vivid Bulletinexamines the most sought-after locations that former Londoners are gravitating towards.
After years of coping with the fast-paced life in London, a change of scenery in the countryside can seem appealing to many.
With the cost of a pint threatening to reach nearly seven pounds, the average price of a house standing at a phenomenal six hundred and sixty thousand pounds and the rush-hour commute as packed as ever - perhaps a move to Kent or Essex would be a clever decision.
But where are those tiring of London opting to go?
Here, Vivid Bulletintakes a glance.
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To be honest, London residents staying in the UK aren't moving very far away from the city.
Home buyers relocated to an average of 45.4 miles outside of London in 2024, showing a preference for areas in Essex and Kent.
The most sought-after destinations for London leavers in 2024 were Epsom and Ewell in Surrey, Brentwood in Essex and Mole Valley in Surrey.
Notably, all of which provide rapid and convenient transport links into central London for commuters with roles in the capital.
Favourite spots for Londoners looking to escape to a greener and more peaceful life included Tonbridge and Malling in Kent, Chelmsford in Essex, and Colchester also in Essex.
What is it, though, that makes living in a small town just outside of London so appealing?
Epsom and Ewell, Surrey
In 2019, Epsom and Ewell was ranked by The Independent as one of the happiest places to live in the UK.
With easy routes into central London and plenty of green spaces, Epsom offers a refreshing alternative for weary Londoners – particularly those with a family.
The borough has a range of schools with excellent reputations and plenty of parkland and green areas.
And, of course, the Epsom Downs racecourse, home to Britain's richest horse racing event.
Brentwood, Essex
Located 29 miles east of central London, Brentwood provides a high employment rate and has a crime rate significantly lower than the national average.
This Essex town is a particularly popular destination for families due to its excellent educational options – schools like Shenfield and Larchwood Primary Schools frequently receive favourable feedback.
For Londoners, parks such as King George’s Playing Fields provide an attractive green haven.
Mole Valley, Surrey
Londoners' third most popular day out destination, Mole Valley is a Surrey district incorporating the town of Dorking.
The area offers several appealing tourist attractions, including Leith Hill tower and Heritage Betchworth Castle.
Just a few months ago, Mole Valley Council gave the go-ahead for plans to construct 6,000 new homes to be finished by 2039.
So, we could see the destination becoming more and more populated by people leaving London in years to come.
How are people getting on outside the capital?
As already mentioned, the phenomenon of working from home in recent years has led to people questioning whether they are justifying the hefty rents they pay by sitting in their living room on their laptop.
The fact that pint and food prices are rising non-stop is undoubtedly another significant factor that's making Londoners think twice about moving away.
But it's not always greener on the other side, as one Reddit discussion has shown.
One user posted: 'I fled from London for a commuter town in the Home Counties, loathed it, and so returned back.'
‘I should have taken the opportunity to move somewhere else entirely. The things that matter most to me are young people, culture, and being able to walk to the shops and other places I need to go every day.’
However, others viewed their decision to leave the capital as one of the best.
I do sometimes miss London - I mean, it is truly the greatest and most diverse city in the world.
‘However, things got to a point where I really needed my own space and a better quality of life. I'd never go back to renting tiny, dingy, damp flats that's all I could afford.
‘I was working 12 hours a day just to get by, and to be honest, it wasn't worth the bother anymore.’
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