Full list of most popular places Londoners are leaving the capital for

Thinking of leaving the busy and overcrowded capital? Here, Metro takes a look at the most popular destinations London leavers are flocking to.

After years of enduring the hustle and bustle of London life, a change of scene in the countryside can seem attractive for many.

With the cost of a pint threatening to reach £7, the average price of a home sitting at a staggering £660,000 and the underground commute as packed and ever – perhaps a move to Kent or Essex is a wise one.

But where are those tired of London venturing to?

Here, Metro takes a look.

The most popular destinations for London leavers

Well, it’s fair to say that London leavers aren’t heading too far out of the capital.

Movers bought homes an average of 45.4 miles outside of London in 2024, with destinations in Essex and Kent particularly popular with homeowners.

The most sought after destinations for London leavers in 2024 were Epsom and Ewell in Surrey, Brentwood in Essex and Mole Valley in Surrey.

Unsurprisingly, all of which offer quick and easy transport routes into central London for commuters with jobs in the capital.

Other popular destinations for Londoners searching for a greener and quieter life included Tonbridge and Malling in Kent, Chelmsford in Essex, and Colchester also in Essex.

What exactly, though, is so attractive about a life in a small town outside of London?

Epsom and Ewell, Surrey

Back in 2019, Epsom and Ewell was rated by The Independent as one of the happiest places to live in the UK.

With easy routes into central London and a host of green spaces, Epsom offers a welcome alternative for tired Londoners – especially those with a family.

The borough boasts a host of schools with good reviews as well as plenty of green spaces.

And of course the Epsom Downs racecourse, home to Britain’s richest horse race.

Brentwood, Essex

Situated 29 miles east of central London, Brentwood offers a high employment rate and a crime rate well below the national average.

The Essex town is a particularly popular hotspot for families because of its top-notch schooling options – schools such as Shenfield and Larchwood Primary Schools regularly receive glowing reviews.

And for Londoners, parks including King George’s Playing Fields offer an enticing green space.

Mole Valley, Surrey

Londoners’ third most popular leaving destination, Mole Valley is a Surrey district including the town of Dorking.

The district boasts a number of attractive sightseeing opportunities including Leith Hill tower and Heritage Betchworth Castle.

And just a couple of months ago, Mole Valley council approved plans for 6,000 new homes to be built before 2039.

So, we could see the destination increasingly inhabited by London leavers in years to come.

How are people finding life outside the capital?

As already mentioned, the phenomenon of working from home in recent years has prompted people to question why they’re paying huge sums of rent to sit in their living room on their laptop.

That, coupled with ever-increasing pint and food prices, is certainly a contributing factor behind London leavers’ thinking.

But it’s not always greener on the other side, as one Reddit thread has revealed.

One user wrote: ‘I left London for a Home Counties commuter town, hated it, and so moved back.

‘Should have moved further to a different city. I learned my priorities include young people, culture, and a walkable daily existence.’

However, others called their decision to leave the capital one of their ‘best.’

@deva9292 wrote: ‘I do miss London sometimes – I mean, it is truly the greatest and most diverse city in the world.

‘However, it just got to the point where I absolutely needed my own space and a better quality of life. I would never go back to renting tiny, broken, mouldy flats, which is apparently all I could afford.

‘I basically worked 12 hours a day just to survive, and it simply wasn’t worth it anymore.’

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