According to Zoopla, semi-detached homes in Richmond sold for an average of £1,695,840 in the last 12 months [1], yet moving a few stops west on the Waterloo to Reading line along to Ascot, the average house price is £634,371 [2]. And two stops further along, buyers can buy in Wokingham for just £479,660 [3].
Despite being only an hour from London Waterloo, buyers in Wokingham are saving a staggering £1,216,180 compared to purchasers in Richmond and central London.
The commuter belt, which includes the home counties and parts of Sussex, has been rising in popularity as workers return to the office, with 92% of companies having some form of mandatory in-office policy [4]. The proportion of people leaving small towns or villages to move to commuter areas rose to 41 per cent in 2023, up from 31 per cent in 2022 [5].
Finchampstead, a 13-minute drive from Wokingham, is a key commuter spot positioned close to the M3 and M4 offering quick access into Reading, Bracknell, Wokingham and Gatwick Airport. The efficient train links from the nearby Wokingham provide frequent services to Reading, Redhill and London.
Alex Dowling, Sales and Marketing Director at Barratt David Wilson Southern Counties, said: “Having access to convenient travel links that can provide easy routes into London is becoming a non-negotiable for new buyers when looking to move home. Areas like Finchampstead offer the best of both worlds, with access to green spaces and a village lifestyle, without having to compromise on direct travel routes to reach nearby cities.”
Buyers can purchase a new home at the sought after development in Finchampstead, with a selection of four bedroom homes available from at £744,995.
[1] Data taken from Zoopla Area Search
[2] Data taken from Zoopla Area Search
[3] Data taken from Zoopla Area Search