Commuter’s Guide: Where to Buy In Essex if You Work in London
The daily London commute can feel like a relentless trade-off: sacrificing time and peace for a higher salary. But what if you didn’t have to choose between a manageable mortgage and a morning seat on the train? For many city professionals and growing families, Essex has become the perfect answer. With its superb rail links to Liverpool Street and Fenchurch Street, a wealth of green space, excellent schools, and property that offers genuine value compared to Greater London, it’s little wonder the county is thriving.
As your local, Essex-based mortgage experts, we’ve helped hundreds of commuters make this exact move. We understand the unique balancing act: proximity to the station, the final price, and the quality of life waiting at the other end. That’s why we’ve compiled the definitive guide to the Best commuter towns Essex has to offer, broken down by what matters most to you: speed, affordability, and lifestyle.
- The Need for Speed: Fastest Commutes to London
For those who simply need to minimise time away from home, the Elizabeth Line and the high-speed mainlines offer a handful of stellar locations. These towns are typically at a premium, but the time saved is invaluable.
Town | Target London Terminal | Fastest Commute Time (Approx.) | Average House Price (General Guide) | The Commuter’s Edge |
Shenfield | Liverpool Street (Elizabeth Line/Mainline) | 23-29 minutes | Circa £746,709 | Direct access to the City and West End via the Elizabeth Line. Premium, leafy, excellent schools (St. Martin’s, Brentwood School). |
Purfleet | Fenchurch Street | 29 minutes | Circa £350,000 | Exceptional value for a sub-30 minute commute. Close to Lakeside Shopping Centre and nature reserves like Rainham Marshes. |
Billericay | Liverpool Street | 30 minutes | Circa £527,456 | A popular, well-established town with a vibrant centre, good amenities, and a strong community feel. |
Ingatestone | Liverpool Street | 34 minutes | Circa £736,446 | Charming village feel, stunning period homes, often ranked highly for quality of life (Sunday Times). Less crowded than larger towns. |
When searching for the Best commuter towns Essex, speed often dictates price. Towns like Shenfield and Ingatestone are highly sought after, reflecting their rapid links and strong community amenities. However, places like Purfleet, served by the c2c line into Fenchurch Street, offer a fantastic ‘quick-fix’ commute at a much more accessible price point, making them great options for first-time buyers or those with a stricter budget.
Key Insight: Remember to factor in your London destination. Services into Liverpool Street are ideal for the City and Central London, while the Fenchurch Street line (c2c) is perfect for those working in the City, Canary Wharf, or the East of London.
- Best for Budget: Maximising Affordability
Commuting is a financial calculation, and for many, a slight extension to the journey is a worthy trade-off for a significantly reduced mortgage. These locations provide the best balance of lower house prices and a still-manageable journey time.
Town | Target London Terminal | Fastest Commute Time (Approx.) | Average House Price (General Guide) | The Budget Advantage |
Basildon | Fenchurch Street | 35-37 minutes | Circa £310,000-£338,548 | Post-war ‘New Town’ with practical housing, undergoing regeneration, excellent value for a zone 3-like journey time. |
Harlow | Liverpool Street | 30-40 minutes | Circa £325,000 | Known as “Sculpture Town,” it offers affordable housing, good links, and is popular with first-time buyers and those seeking value. |
Grays | Fenchurch Street | 39 minutes | Circa £352,000 | Growing in popularity due to its sub-40 minute commute and accessible house prices, located close to the River Thames. |
Wickford | Liverpool Street | 40 minutes | Circa £360,000-£400,000 | A popular, family-friendly option with a busy high street and good schools, providing a quieter pace of life. |
For affordability, towns along the c2c line like Basildon and Grays offer some of the most competitive house prices in the South East for a central London commute. They may lack the ‘chocolate-box’ charm of villages like Ingatestone, but they deliver on practicality and price. Meanwhile, Harlow is a solid option for budget-conscious buyers commuting to Liverpool Street. By looking further afield, but still within a solid commuter bracket, you drastically widen your property options.
- Best for Lifestyle: The Charming Towns and Villages
Sometimes, the perfect community is worth a few extra minutes on the train. These locations are the top contenders when lifestyle, local amenities, and stunning surroundings are your priority.
- Chelmsford (34-40 mins to Liverpool Street): As Essex’s city, Chelmsford offers the best of both worlds: a fast, frequent commute and a vibrant, modern urban centre. It boasts a thriving high street, two shopping centres, excellent schools, and is perfect for those who want city amenities without the London price tag. The average house price is also highly competitive due to recent development, making it one of the most balanced options on the list.
- Brentwood (40 minutes to Liverpool Street/Elizabeth Line): Rich in charm and personality, Brentwood has excellent state and private schools, a vibrant high street, and the added benefit of being a key stop on the Elizabeth Line. While on the pricier end, the lifestyle and convenience make it a powerful contender, especially for families looking for a seamless blend of town and country life.
- Saffron Walden (54-60 minutes to Liverpool Street from Audley End): Recently named a ‘Best Place to Live,’ Saffron Walden is a medieval market town with a rich historic charm, thriving independent shops, and a strong sense of community. Its commute is longer (via Audley End station), making it less ideal for daily office-goers, but perfect for hybrid or part-time remote workers seeking unparalleled quality of life.
- Leigh-on-Sea (48-52 minutes to Fenchurch Street): If a coastal lifestyle is your dream, Leigh-on-Sea delivers. This small fishing village boasts great pubs, upmarket shops, and is highly popular with families due to its excellent schools and unique ‘Old Leigh’ community. It’s a great choice for those who want to feel truly removed from the city hustle.
Crucially: Don’t overlook the Epping Forest area. Towns like Roydon (36 mins to Liverpool Street) offer exceptional green space and a rural village atmosphere while remaining firmly within the London commuter belt. The average property price here sits around £629,441, reflecting the desirable location and quality of life.
Conclusion: Your Essex Commuter Dream Starts Here
Clive Read , Managing Director At Goldmanread Mortgage Brokers comments”… we know the feeling of staring out of a Tube window and dreaming of a garden….We’re lucky to live in the County of Essex which has access to great countryside and coastline, terrific schools and most importantly some of the most competitively priced housing outside of London. We’d love to talk through your mortgage options so that you can become another of our satisfied customers, just like Prashankthie P, who left us the following 5 start Google review.
“Clive has been great throughout the entire process and maintained very good communication, I would highly recommend him”
The search for the Best commuter towns Essex reveals a county that truly has it all—from the rapid, professional links of Shenfield and Billericay to the outstanding value in Basildon and the unique charm of Saffron Walden and Leigh-on-Sea.
Choosing your location is only the first step. The real journey begins with securing the right finance. As an Essex-based mortgage broker, we live and work in the communities we serve. We don’t just know the mortgage market; we know the streets, the schools, and the stations. We are perfectly positioned to help you navigate the transition from London life to the best of Essex living, ensuring you find the right home, in the right town, with the right mortgage.
Ready to find your new home in one of the Best commuter towns Essex has to offer?
