James Max

The two-hour rule: where to move to within touching distance of London

  • From Spectator Life
The Cotswolds, iStock

According to the latest forecast from estate agents Hamptons, a second wave of property demand could keep house prices rising by up to 3.4 per cent a year between 2022 and 2024. Now that the pandemic is moving into our rear-view mirror, it seems many buyers are still plotting a move from the city.

If you’re not going into your office every day, you might be forgiven for thinking that you can cut ties with London completely. As the great city reawakens post-Covid, you should think again. Its vibrancy, shops, history, world class cuisine and incredible arts and culture should still be the guiding light of any property search – even if it is simply to make sure that you can still reach the capital by train. With that in mind, why not follow the two-hour rule? Find a town that’s less than two hours’ drive or train journey from London and relocate there. The chances are, you’ll get more for your money and have a better quality of life than opting for suburbia.

When moving to the West, people naturally gravitate towards Oxford. But prices in the leafiest parts are almost interchangeable with London and there’s a council that hates cars; if you live within the ring road you will be subject to an ever-growing list of arbitrary driving restrictions.

Wallingford is a beautiful market town perched on the River Thames just thirteen miles south of Oxford. North of Reading, its location is great for car or rail into either city. More importantly the properties in the town and just outside are glorious. It’s an hour and a half into London by car and the fastest trains will drop you off in just over an hour.

iStock-801428268.jpg
Rowers on the Thames at Wallingford, South Oxfordshire

If you fancy a project, there’s a striking house on the High Street for sale with a coach house.

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Written by
James Max
James Max presents the weekday Early Breakfast Show on TalkRADIO and is a qualified chartered surveyor.

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