Whilst the great Covid London exodus is now long behind us, the South East still represents a way in which Londoners can get more property for their money – and still commute. Here are our thoughts on why Surrey and Hampshire homes are increasingly becoming an attractive purchase for those wishing to leave the capital.
Here’s the thing. If you own a property in Farnham, Haslemere, Alton, Grayshott and Godalming (and the surrounding areas, of course), then you have an opportunity that many other people across the UK don’t.
London buyers wishing to leave behind the busy nature of the capital don’t have to look too far before they start to see a much bigger bang for their buck. Not only that, but only 20 miles clear of London there’s clean air, plenty of outdoor space and access to large gardens – as standard.
Surrey and Hampshire, of course, have that in abundance.
At home in the Home Counties
Last year, 18.2 per cent of homes sold in the Home Counties were purchased by a Londoner, according to a story in Property Reporter. That’s almost a fifth!
Whilst Hampshire isn’t technically classed as a Home County, its close proximity to London means that it’s a very accessible and appealing choice for Londoners looking to make that move.
Surrey, on the other hand, is arguably the area most associated with Home Counties.
A convenient commute
As we’re a Surrey estate agent and a Hampshire estate agent, we have a good sense of what represents an attractive commute for those who want to remain connected to the capital – either for work or pleasure. And we think the areas we serve hit the mark.
Let’s take the five towns in which our branches are located, for example.
| London Waterloo to Farnham | London Waterloo to Godalming | London Waterloo to Haslemere | London Waterloo to Alton | London Waterloo to Grayshott |
| 55 – 60 minutes | 45 – 50 minutes | 50 – 55 minutes | 60 – 75 minutes | a 50 – 55-minute rail journey to Haslemere, followed by a 10-minute drive |
For those who want the hustle and bustle of London on their doorstep, yet want to live somewhere with a quieter pace of live, Surrey and the Surrey/Hampshire borders is hard to beat.
Country charm
The safety and community-led spirit of the areas we serve is incomparable to London.
Surrey and Hampshire boast a wealth of country charm that’s underpinned by safe communities, which is hugely appealing to Londoners ready to start a family.
And let’s be honest, it’s hard to compare London schools with schools in Surrey and Hampshire. With both Surrey and Hampshire offering a range of excellent public and private schools, it’s no wonder that we continually receive calls from Londoners wishing to be notified when properties with specific criteria are about to enter the market.
What does this mean for Surrey and Hampshire sellers?
If you’re thinking of selling your commuter belt property, then now is a great time.
Demand for property begins to increase as we start to see the first signs of spring, which makes now an excellent time to start preparing your property for sale.
With blooming gardens likely to appeal to those who may never have had a garden, your property could be just what Londoners ready to make the leap – but who don’t want to leap too far – are looking for.
Thinking about selling your property in 2026? Contact your local branch of Warren Powell-Richards to discover how we can help. Alternatively, find your nearest Warren Powell-Richards office here, or click on the button below.
| Alton | Farnham | Godalming | Grayshott | Haslemere |
| 01420 87379 | 01252 715031 | 01483 478200 | 01428 604016 | 01428 656596 |