13 Best Places to Live in South East England
Are you looking for the best places to live in South East England?
There are several excellent locations in this region of England, with many on our list being considered among the top in the whole of the UK!
Numerous factors contribute to the South East’s popularity.
Living in this area offers locals excellent transport links, stunning properties and some excellent towns to call home!
If you have decided to move to one of the best places to live in South East England, you need to be up to speed with what each location offers buyers.
Now that you have made the decision to move to one of the best places to live in South East England, it is time to establish which one you want to call home.
In this post, we examine some of the top locations in the region.
We aim to give you a greater understanding of what each location has to offer and what makes them the best places to live in Sout East England.
This is the blog for you if you are considering a move to the South East.
Here are our 13 best places to live in South East England!
Canterbury
Canterbury is one of the best places to live in South East England.
This historic city in Kent is bursting with charm and character, making it a great place to live.
Due to the slower pace of life, living here may feel more like a small town than a big city.
With two universities and excellent schools, Canterbury may be especially attractive to families and students.
Living in Canterbury also offers excellent transportation options for locals.
Trains take about an hour to reach London!
In comparison to other towns and cities in the South East, Canterbury provides an increasingly appealing work-life balance, even if it isn’t the most affordable location on our list.
The average house price in Canterbury is £374,926 as of December 2022.
Brighton
Brighton has to be included on our list of the best places to live in South East England!
With its location on the south coast of England and its proximity to London, Brighton is a popular location for families and young professionals alike.
The town has a diverse population, with students from two universities significantly boosting the diversity found in the region!
In the summer months, Brighton’s surrounding beaches are almost always busy, providing the town with a real buzz.
For a more peaceful summer excursion, you can also venture into the stunning South Downs!
Transport links are excellent in Brighton!
You can reach London in under an hour by taking the A23.
Many London termini are accessible by train from Brighton, including Victoria, London Bridge, and St Pancras!
Average house prices in Brighton are currently £462,869.
Ashford
Another worthy addition to our list of the best places to live in South East England is Ashford.
It takes less time to get to Ashford from London than many other areas in the South East.
Ashford is an excellent transport hub because of its local high-speed railway links that take just 40 minutes to reach London!
Recent interest in the area has been boosted by these excellent transport links!
As more buyers seek a laid-back small-town lifestyle on offer here, the area has seen an influx of young professionals in recent years.
Ashford is surrounded by a variety of outdoor activities, including the Kent Downs, an area you don’t want to miss.
Additionally, there is a choice of local shops, bars, and restaurants to keep you entertained without leaving the area!
House prices in Ashford are sitting at £363,978 in December 2022.
Royal Tunbridge Wells
On our list of the best places to live in South East England, we come to Royal Tunbridge Wells.
One of the best commuter areas on our list is Royal Tunbridge Wells.
If you want to be a little closer to London’s inner city, this is the ideal place to be!
With trains taking about 45 minutes to reach the capital, the area offers excellent transportation links.
Outside the city, traffic and congestion is highly likely, so driving might not be the best idea.
The unique blend of urban and rural life found in Royal Tunbridge Wells makes it an ideal place to live.
Families love it because of its close proximity to many green spaces and outdoor activities, as well as its city feeling.
It’s also one of the best choices in the South East for young professionals who do not want to pay high prices in the capital.
In comparison to some of our other choices, Royal Tunbridge Wells offers a great social scene!
In December 2022, the average house price in the area is £521,091.
Folkestone
In terms of the best places to live in South East England, Folkestone should definitely be considered!
Folkestone is more than just the UK’s channel tunnel access point.
In Folkestone, a charming seaside town along the southern coast.
Life is a bit more relaxed when living here!
It may not be a good option for those who require regular access to the capital due to poor transport links.
Nevertheless, London is only an hour away by train, so occasional trips to the capital are always possible.
House prices in Folkestone sit at £309,963 in December 2022.
Belvedere
Next on our list of the best places to live in South East England is Belvedere.
Belvedere is a wonderful place to live, and because it is located in Zone 5, some consider it to be part of London.
Nevertheless, living in this area means locals have a highly regarded Kent postcode.
Living in Belvedere gives you the advantages of both worlds: city and small-town living.
As a result, the area has a wide variety of amenities, ensuring it is a top pick among the best places to live in South East England.
Belvedere has excellent green spaces, making it an ideal place to live with children.
Also, its excellent location makes it easy to visit the capital, whether for work or leisure.
The average house price in Belvedere in December 2022 is £340,748.
High Wycombe
High Wycombe is another top pick when it comes to the best places to live in Sout East England.
Located in the Chiltern Hills northwest of London, High Wycombe is popular with both tourists and buyers alike.
Although less well-known than the Cotswolds, the Chilterns have plenty of green space for walking, hiking, and other recreational activities.
As a result of the recent regeneration and development of the town, High Wycombe has earned the attention of young professionals and young families looking for more affordable housing than what is on offer in London.
One of the largest shopping centres in the UK, the Eden Shopping Centre in High Wycombe has more than 100 shops to enjoy!
Between junctions 3 and 4 of the M4 motorway, High Wycombe is a great spot for commuters!
By road, it is only 29 miles to central London and 23 miles to Oxford.
There are also excellent rail links in High Wycombe.
Half-hourly trains to London Marylebone are available, with the fastest trains taking just 27 minutes!
In December 2022, the average house price in the area is £460,100.
Eynsford
Eynsford is an excellent place to live in South East England.
The small village of Eynsford in Kent is one of the top places to live if you prefer a country lifestyle.
The River Darent runs through this country village south of the capital, adding real charm to the area.
The rail connection to London isn’t the fastest, so those needing to commute to the city might want to look elsewhere.
For those seeking a change of pace, the green countryside offered in Eynsford is ideal!
As of December 2022, the average house price in Eynsford is £723,281.
Whitstable
Whitstable is one of the best coastal areas to live in South East England.
With beautiful pebble beaches, fantastic shopping options, and a pleasant atmosphere, Whitstable is a great place to visit.
There has been a recent surge in popularity in this area.
This seaside town is popular with London families desiring more affordable housing.
For a family day out, Whitstable has always been a popular choice.
Many people are drawn to the area because of its popularity and their experience in the town!
The town is also well known for its seafood.
An annual oyster festival draws foodies from all over the country, creating a great atmosphere in the area.
In December 2022, the average house price in Whitstable is £467,118.
Winchester
Winchester is another worthy addition to our list of the best places to live in South East England.
Winchester’s popularity has soared in recent years, especially among younger buyers!
As more professionals work from home for at least part of the week, acceptable commuting distances have changed substantially.
This means commuters can now live further from the capital than they previously could.
As a result, many professionals and their families have settled in this historic city in Hampshire.
Winchester lies between junctions 9 and 10 of the M3 motorway.
London is 60 miles northeast on the motorway, while Southampton is 14 miles southwest.
As a result, it takes one hour and 17 minutes to drive to London.
London Waterloo is also served by over 100 trains a day, with an average journey time of one hour and 25 minutes.
Average house prices in Winchester sit at £593,519 in December 2022.
Sevenoaks
Sevenoaks is the next town on our list of the best places to live in South East England.
Since London’s house prices have risen, many new residents have moved into the area.
Sevenoaks is currently one of Kent’s most expensive areas but for good reason!
It is mainly due to its close proximity to London and its excellent transport links.
You can get to the capital in as little as 25 minutes by train!
There are a number of shops, bars, and restaurants in Sevenoaks, despite its small size.
The natural beauty of Sevenoaks and the surrounding area makes it a great place to live.
Whether you’re a young professional or a family, this is a great place to consider moving to!
Average house prices in Sevenoaks are £716,528 in December 2022.
Petworth
The town of Petworth lies in West Sussex’s Chichester District.
It is another of the south’s picturesque towns that is part of the South Downs National Park.
There is something for everyone in this town, whether you’re a tourist or a resident.
Furthermore, it is located close to both the coast and other major cities, so you can easily get to the beach or an urban area in no time!
Southampton, Portsmouth, Guildford, and London are nearby major cities.
London is just over 50 miles by road and an hour and a half by train, very reasonable commuting times.
The Sunday Times ranked Petworth as the ‘Best Place to Live’ in the Southeast in 2019!
A number of factors were considered, such as house prices, employment opportunities, schools, culture, community spirit, and the availability of local shops.
House prices in Petworth sit at £745,430 in December 2022.
Maidstone
The fact that Maidstone is included in our list of best places to live in South East England should come as no surprise.
The costs of living in Maidstone tend to be more affordable, making it an attractive option for many people.
It is more affordable than other areas on our list, whilst still offering great access to London!
Several good schools are located in the area, as well as a variety of shopping options and great restaurants.
For those looking for a well-priced property and a lively lifestyle, Maidstone is a smart choice.
House prices in the area are currently sitting at an average of £370,908.
Moving to One of the Best Places to Live in South East England?
Have you decided to move to one of the best places to live in South East England?
The South East is home to some amazing locations that are ideal for families, young professionals and retirees alike!
If you want to start living in one of the best places to live in South East England, we are here to help you get moving.
You can start planning your dream move with the assistance of our South East England Removals service from White & Company today.
White & Company are also pleased to announce our new video survey service.
During these unprecedented times, we can safely conduct remote removals surveys.
We can gather all the relevant information for your move from the comfort of your own home.
So, give us a call today or fill out a quick quote form to see how we can get your dream move to South East England in the works.
Max is a seasoned writer and blogger in the real estate and home moving sectors, as well as a knowledgeable source of information for expatriates living and working abroad. His detailed insights have helped thousands of people move and live abroad with greater simplicity and ease.
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