Avoid the costs of housing in the capital, and opt for a slower pace of life just outside it (Credits: Getty Images) Head a short way out of London and not only do you get more room for your money, but the air is cleaner and the landscape greener. With about 40% of us working from home for at least part of the week, leaving the capital to buy your first home is an option many now consider. You’ll get more space for your money both inside and out, room to WFH and a better work-life balance. Start by checking out these towns and developments, all within easy reach of a London-bound train when you need it. Ramsgate, Kent Ramsgate’s high-speed rail connection to London, makes it attractive choice for those who want to live by the coast (Credits: Getty Images) Journey time to London: from 1 hour 15 mins to St Pancras International Prices from: £75,000 for 25 per cent of £300,000 If you fancy living beside the seaside, how about one of these two-bedroom terraced or end-terrace houses, a couple of miles from Ramsgate town centre and seafront? Homes are available in St Catherine’s Grange (Picture: St Catherine’s Grange) Both bedrooms are doubles and they have spacious living-dining rooms, separate kitchens, private gardens and downstairs cloakrooms. Ofsted good-rated schools are in the vicinity. Two-bedroom flats and a four-bedroom house are also available. For more information visit: Places For People Clacton-on-Sea, Essex While Clacton-On-Sea isn’t one of London’s closest commuter towns, it does have lower living costs and beautiful sandy beaches (Credits: Getty Images/iStockphoto) Journey time to London: 1 hour 30 mins to Liverpool Street Prices from: £91,875 for 25 per cent of £367,500 Every day feels like a holiday in this popular resort, famed for its beach and pleasure pier. You’ll find these traditionally inspired three and four-bedroom detached and semi-detached houses in Meadow Gardens, a thriving new community on the Tendring Peninsula on the outskirts of the town. Your new home? (Picture: Cann Hall Farm) They include family and en-suite bathrooms, lots of storage and generously sized gardens. For more information visit: Places For People Whitstable, Kent As well as a short commute Whitstable offers a compelling alternative to London’s culinary scene, with its emphasis on fresh seafood and local produce (Credits: Getty Images) Journey time to London: less than 1 hour 30 mins to St Pancras International or Victoria Price in Whistable Heights from: £122,500 for 30 per cent of £407,500 A stylish living area in Whitstable (Picture: Whitstable Heights) A love of seafood helps if you’re contemplating moving to this picturesque town as you’re never far from an oyster bar here. These two, three and four-bedroom houses are only a mile from the seafront and station and all have turfed gardens, parking spaces or garages and flooring fitted throughout. Two-bedroom flats are also on offer. For more information visit: Hyde New Homes Blackbird Leys, Oxford Oxford’s charm, lower cost of living, rich cultural heritage, and proximity to the scenic Oxfordshire countryside makes it a desirable location (Credits: Getty Images) Journey time to London: 50 mins to Paddington Prices in The Aviary starts from: £95,750 for 25 per cent of £383,000 Due to launch later this spring, these two and three-bedroom houses are just outside Oxford’s ring road and convenient for the university colleges and the John Radcliffe hospital. A family friendly choice (Picture: The Aviary) Parking is available, all incorporate gardens and there’s a communal play area. Register your interest at Peabody New Homes Reading, Berkshire Reading’s slower pace of life could be a welcome change from the hustle and bustle (Credits: Getty Images) Journey time to London: 23 mins to Paddington Price in L&Q at Bankside Gardens starts from: £67,500 for 25 per cent of £270,000 With a super-fast commute, excellent schools and lots going on, it’s understandable why Reading has become so desirable – and it even made it into The Sunday Times’s Best Places To Live list this year. The flats have a lakeside setting (Picture: L&Q at Bankside Gardens) These one and two-bedroom flats are in a quiet lakeside setting and surrounded by parkland yet close to the centre. Each has a balcony or terrace and access to a residents’ gym, cinema and co-working spaces. For more information visit: L&Q Homes Rugby, Warwickshire It’s faster to get to London from Rugby than Birmingham, despite being further north (Credits: Getty Images/500px) Journey time to London: 50 mins Price in Ashlawn Rise starts from: £110,250 for 35 per cent of £315,000 It might be nearly 80 miles from Zone 1 but the fast commute and keen property prices make Rugby a serious contender for London leavers. Ideal for families, these three and four-bedroom houses are in a friendly neighbourhood with schools, supermarkets, sports clubs and countryside nearby. Rugby is quicker than you might think to get to London from (Picture: Ashlawn Rise) For more information visit: L&Q Homes Brighton, East Sussex Enjoy the beach, easy commute to work, relaxed pace of life, and vibrant culture that Brighton offers (Credits: Getty Images) Journey time to London: About an hour to Victoria or London Bridge Prices in Lyon Quarter starts from: £81,250 for 25 per cent of £325,000 A seaside flat (Picture: Lyon Quarter) When it comes to nightlife, culture, indie shops and eateries, the eclectic and vibrant seaside city of Brighton is hard to beat. Anyone wanting to live close to the action should take a look at these one and two-bedroom flats, all with private outside space. There’s no parking but the beach, Brighton railway station and the Lanes are all within walking distance. For more information visit: Lyon Quarter Rochester, Kent Rochester offers picturesque views over the Medway Valley, is within a short commute to the capital and is close to the rolling North Kent Downs (Credits: Getty Images/iStockphoto) Journey time: 36mins to St Pancras International, 45 mins to Victoria Price in Rochester Riverside starts from: £99,600 for 40 per cent of £249,000 Can you picture yourself here? (Picture Rochester Riverside) This Medway town boasts a Norman castle and cathedral and was once home to Charles Dickens. Work is well under way on transforming a vast brownfield site into a waterside neighbourhood – 25 per cent of housing is affordable, including these one and two-bedroom flats, which enjoy views of the river. For more information visit: Hyde New Homes Interested in shared ownership? Head to the London Home Show to learn all about shared ownership and explore other home-buying options. You’ll be able to explore the latest developments and talk to property experts, mortgage brokers and solicitors. You can get tailored financial and legal advice and have all your questions answered. The show takes place at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre, Westminster, SW1P 3EE, on Saturday April 26, 10am- 5pm. Register in advance for a free ticket here. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.