The Sunday Times Best Place to Live 2024 – the winners in our area

The Sunday Times Best Place to Live 2024 – the winners in our area

If you are looking to move you want all the facts to make the right choice. So what better way than to consult the national research provided by The Sunday Times. The annual list of 72 winning locations is drawn up following in-depth research talking to locals, examining the local community and debating the merits of one location over another. However, the main deciding factors when choosing the selected winners were: transport, schools, wi-fi speeds and house prices.

Chiltern Relocation is delighted that Chorleywood, St Albans and Milton Keynes all featured in the best places to live in the southeast and this is why.

Chorleywood:

The large open common in the centre of the town is perfect for golf, dog walks and village cricket and provides a rural feel to the town. The historic High Street boasts a host of independent shops alongside the big-name supermarkets and well-known names. A range of sports clubs and community groups can be found here and there is a ‘Friends of’ group for all sorts of community gatherings. Situated within a mile of the M25 and just half an hour by train into Marylebone, this commuter town is ideally located, but also feels a world away when strolling on the common.

Schools include the sought after St Clement Danes secondary school. The best address as quoted by The Sunday Times is Chalfont Lane or Heronsgate.

Chorleywood is located just a few miles from Little Chalfont which is very popular with our clients due to the fabulous housing options and the outstanding Dr Challoner’s High School. Chorleywood is also located just a few miles from Chalfont St Giles – another popular destination. Read more about Chalfont St Giles in our Area Guide.

St Albans

Described as ‘a perfectly formed mini-cathedral city packed with history, green spaces and social events’ it is no wonder that St Albans was in the winners list. With three Ofsted-rated Outstanding secondaries and outstanding rail links (just 21 minutes to London St Pancras), St Albans is a magnet for commuters. The twice weekly local market, monthly Farmers Market and antiques and vegan markets create a buzz in the city. Verulamium Park set in 100 acres close to the city centre is also a popular destination for locals.

The cathedral – known locally as ‘the abbey’ is the heart of the community and has a busy programme of events including fashion shows, silent discos, concerts, yoga and talks.

The best address as quoted by The Sunday Times is Marshalswick.

Discover more about St Albans in our area guide.

Milton Keynes

This may be a surprise to read that Milton Keynes features in the list of winners but this new town, turned city in 2022, has a lot to offer. Swathes of parkland, canal walks and traffic-free strolling and cycling offset the more urban elements of the city. Retail therapy is on offer with the Centre:MK which houses more than 150 shops, cafes and restaurants. Families can also enjoy a host of leisure activities including indoor skydiving, real snow at Xscape, skating at Planet Ice and Aqua Parcs inflatable obstacle course. The Milton Keynes theatre draws West End productions and big-name bands.

Milton Keynes has fast rail links to London at 34 minutes into Euston and an improved rail link to Oxford is set to open in 2025.

The best address to live according to The Sunday Times is just outside the city centre in order to enjoy the historic feel. Stony Stratford, Wolverton and Woburn Sands are all popular with families.

Not too far from Milton Keynes is the vibrant and popular city of Aylesbury at the foot of the Chiltern Hills – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  Read more about Aylesbury in our area guide.