Essex spot dubbed ‘Southend's trendier sister’ is the most affordable London commuter town

This spot in Essex is Southend’s ‘trendier sister’ (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

London has a buzzing social scene, from trendy eateries to state-of-the-art culture facilities.

But it isn’t for everyone, and increasingly, Londoners are looking to move away from the Big Smoke in favour of commuter towns. Outside of the capital, there’s typically more space, more bang for your buck, and less of a standoffish attitude on public transport.

Now, one trendy Essex spot dubbed ‘Southend’s trendier sister’ has been named the most affordable for London commuters; music to the ears of anyone looking to save a few pennies while retaining a decent connection to the city.

Neighbouring the famous Southend-on-Sea, Leigh-on-Sea has swooped in for the accolade, boasting a gorgeous sandy beach, local art galleries, impressive fish restaurants and more attractive rents.

In the study by short-stay accommodation experts Nezt, it beat 105 locations to the top spot, including Ashford, Luton, Grays, and Tilbury, with combined monthly rent and travel costs coming in at a very doable £1,131.

But what makes Leigh so special?

Things to do in Leigh

Full of character, Leigh-on-Sea is inundated with galleries, independent shops and eateries.

The Broadway houses a unique mix of shops and cafés, apt for discovering independent boutiques or a cup of coffee with locally sourced coffee.

The Old Leigh is a once-bustling fishing port that now hosts a selection of pubs and fish restaurants, including the authentic, rustic-style cockle shed as well as the sit-down OakTree vegan restaurant, La Sirena and The Boatyard.

There’s ample opportunity to get outside too, with long strolls on the sandy Bell Wharf Beach or a leafy walk around Oakwood or Blenheim Park.

Leigh-on-Sea’s art scene is also particularly strong, housing the Old Leigh Art Studios, Two Tree Gallery and Piece Gallery, each selling local art pieces from local artists.

There are plenty of delicious fish restaurants nearby (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

And if you’d like to learn more about Leigh-on-Sea’s history, trace it through photography at the Leigh Heritage Centre, described as a ‘treasure trove’ for all those connected to the area.

Nearby in Southend-on-Sea, indulge in a typical British seaside experience with a trip to the pier or the Adventure Island theme park. There’s also Shoebury East Beach and Thorpe Bay Beach, though these are likely to be more densely populated than the quieter sibling in Leigh-on-Sea.

There’s plenty in the way of entertainment too, including Boom Battle Bar, Kingpins Bowl, Dino Encounters Crazy Golf and the Odeon Cinema.

Council tax in Leigh

As is the case with most areas in the UK, the amount of council tax you pay in Leigh-on-Sea depends on the value of your property and which band it sits in.

In Leigh, if your home is valued at up to and including £40,000, you’ll pay a reasonable £1,396.02 per year.

At the other end of the spectrum, if it’s valued at more than £320,000, you’ll pay a whopping £4,188.06.

House prices in Leigh

So, how much will buying a house set you back in Leigh-on-Sea? A fair few pennies, but not as much as London – or indeed, other commuter towns.

According to data from Rightmove, in 2023, the average property sold for £465,166. Detached properties came with a higher price tag at £625,159, whilst flats went for a slightly lower £271,093.

These prices were 6% up on the 2021 peak of £431,047.

Look at that stunning sunset (Picture: Getty Images)

Meanwhile, unsurprisingly, renting proves to be a little cheaper than in London.

Data from Houses For Sale To Rent shows that prices currently range from £400 to a whopping £9,000 a month, but the average according to Nezt rests at £931 per month.

Back in the capital, the average rental property comes in at £2,119 on Zoopla, marking a 6.4% increase over the last year.

Commuting between Leigh and London

Leigh-on-Sea is well-connected to the Big Smoke. Trains take between 44 and 50 minutes and run directly from London Fenchurch Street to Leigh-on-Sea station.

By car, the drive into central London can take anywhere between one hour 35 minutes and two hours.

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