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Julie Smith · 04-10-2012, 09:39 PM

Hi All,

I've researched some locations around London (Woking, Reading, Guilford, Milton Keynes and Basingstoke). Woking and Reading really stand out, as they have more, than 10 direct trains arriving from 7 to 8 am to London every morning and regular trains going back from 9 to 12 pm, with journey times less, than 1 hour.

[Image: LocationTrainTimes.jpg]

I wonder if there are other locations, connected like Reading and Woking. I will check other stations, but if you know any from your experience, your answer would help me.

Thank you.

Daniel Booth · 04-10-2012, 09:49 PM

Hitchin (where I live) and Stevenage have minimum 4 per hour to Kings Cross and 1 or 2 to Moorgate. (More in rush hour).

Hitchin to Kings Cross is 28 mins on the fast train or 45 mins on slower train, minus 5 mins in both cases for Stevenage.

Luton is similar times/frequencies on the Thameslink service into St Pancras I believe.

Jonathan Clarke · 05-10-2012, 01:50 AM

Hi Julie

Check out Wolverton Stn which is a small station just 4 mins north of Milton Keynes but still within the city boundary. Commuters benefit by getting on there before the masses get on at MK. Nearby walkable investable areas are Wolverton, New Bradwell and Bluebridge.

I had one such commuter who lived in a 2 bed of mine in the nice estate of Bluebridge. He used to love the 10 min walk to Wolverton Station along the peaceful canal to settle and prepare his mind for the day ahead in the big city. And he would still be in Euston within the hour of shutting his front door to get to ( the energy sapping treadmill of that debilitating human condition known as) his `job` :-)

Paul Barrett · 05-10-2012, 08:09 AM

I think you make some useful marketing points Johnathan.
With the prevalence of commuting anything which would make it a more attractive proposition could well sway a tenant to one of your properties rather than one further down the line.
To indicate that the commuter would be able to get a seat before the masses and that there was a pleasant walk to the stn with no transport needed to get there could be quite an attractive marketing tool.
Event to the point of indicating a walking route and time to reach a stn from the rental property,
To have season ticket for parking at Bishop's Stortford stn costs £1143.00 per year, then the rail season ticket on top of that to Liverpool Street at about £4000!!!!!!!!!!
I have never checked to see what the train is like in the rush hour; but I think it might be useful to ascertain from a marketing perspective as to whether tenants of mine who are only 4 mins walk from the stn would be able to get a seat for the 45 min journey to LS.
When you think MK is only 15 mins more journey time, MK and it's necessarily cheaper rents must sound quite attractive for commuters.
So perhaps as LL we endavour to ensure that property we acquire gives a commuter the best possible journey; which may mean that one purchases property in not so obvious places,; but that which provide a far better commuter exprience thatn the usual expected areas to commute from.
Interesting points you make.

Colin Larcombe · 05-10-2012, 08:58 AM

I bought in Folkestone as it is as cheap as chips and now with the new high speed link to St Pancras you can do it in 55 minutes.

Paul Barrett · 05-10-2012, 10:25 AM

Thinking ahead what about the Crossrail stns at the end of the line.
Shenfield which is a cheap area presently will shoot up in value as it will be the end of the line.
I think more people will be using rail to commute; the car has had it's day; fuel is just too expensive.
So really it is back to the future; this is going to be the 'Age of the train'; before cars were in widespread use in the 60's.
Some would say that is no bad thing.
Now if they could only reduce the cost of rail travel we might have an integrated affordable transport system!!!?........................................like they have in the European mainland.

John Corey · 09-10-2012, 12:01 PM

I lived in a village next to Woking for about 5 years. I picked the Woking station given the frequency of service. I did not worry about train schedules as I could just turn up and a train would be arriving in a few minutes just about any time of the day. The last train out of London stopped in Woking so I could leave London very late (01:05) if I had a late dinner meeting or show.

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