Pretty UK town becomes booming spot for city folk looking for quiet life

In recent years, Sevenoaks, a picturesque commuter town in Kent, has become a popular destination for Londoners seeking a quieter and more affordable lifestyle.

Located just 22 minutes from London by train, this charming town offers a peaceful retreat from the bustling capital, attracting many city dwellers looking for a change of pace.

Long-time residents of Sevenoaks have noticed a shift in the town's atmosphere as former Londoners settle in.

Many newcomers appear "a lot happier" and "more zen," according to locals.

This observation aligns with Sevenoaks' recent recognition as one of the "most desirable towns in Britain" by the Daily Telegraph in 2023.

The ranking, compiled with estate agents Savills using census data, highlighted Sevenoaks as the only Kent town to make the list, catching the attention of Londoners seeking a better quality of life.

The appeal of Sevenoaks lies in its balance between accessibility to London and the advantages of suburban living.

Ward Estate Agents reported that from January to August 2024, over a third (36.36%) of all property buyers in Sevenoaks were from London boroughs.

The main reasons cited for this migration were the high cost of living in London and the value for money offered by Sevenoaks.

Daniel, 29, the branch manager of Ward Estate Agents in West Kingsdown, said: "The main reason we are getting from Londoners looking to move to Sevenoaks is that [London is] far too expensive.

“Since the pandemic, many people are hybrid workers, meaning they only go into London once or twice a week, and a place like West Kingsdown [a village in Sevenoaks] allows people to be close by without paying those London prices," he told MyLondon.

New residents are particularly impressed with the town's affordability and quality of life.

Justi Nas, 35, a photographer and entrepreneur who moved from London to West Kingsdown, said: "A £500,000 house has much more value here than in London. It's a greener, healthier lifestyle. I got a detached property with a massive garden, and there are no stabbings regularly like in London, so it's better for the kids."

The influx of Londoners has also enriched the diversity of the surrounding villages.

Kiron, 21, a recruitment and human resources worker commuting from West Kingsdown, noted the appeal of the town's top-notch schools and the chance to escape London's hectic pace.

Local barber Michael, 40, who has been working in Sevenoaks for two decades, has observed more people around town midweek thanks to remote working.

This shift has been a boon for his business and has also led to a noticeable change in attitudes: "People who work in London are quite miserable, being pulled left to right, and a lot of people seem a lot happier since they are working from home," he said.

However, the rising popularity of Sevenoaks has also led to concerns about housing affordability for the next generation.

Michael expressed his worries about soaring house prices, driven by the influx of new residents, making it "almost impossible" for locals to get on the property ladder.

"I don't own my own house either. I'll never get a mortgage, even more so now it's going to make the rich get richer and the poor get poorer," he lamented.

Barry Dennis has been running The Anchor Pub for 45 years and sees a connection with the Londoners moving to Sevenoaks.

"There's a little bit of London down here and I love Sevenoaks. I'm probably one of the biggest supporters of Sevenoaks because it is a lovely place to live, and to be honest, as long as you're a decent person and just get on, it does not matter where you come from," he said.

David Johnston from the local Savills office highlighted the town's appeal: "While once it was the commute (less than 30 minutes to London), since the pandemic it is the schools again. It's the choice of grammar and public schools which are the driving force behind the town's attraction," he said.

"As the commute becomes more popular again, the town is perfectly placed to accommodate all needs while retaining its historic features."

According to Rightmove, the average price of a home in Sevenoaks over the past year was £777,182, with detached houses selling for an average of £1,353,522.

Terraced properties sold for an average of £477,156, while flats fetched £371,872.

For those commuting from Sevenoaks to London, the journey is convenient, with the average train journey to Charing Cross taking about 39 minutes and the fastest journey to London Bridge taking just 22 minutes.