Which Area Would Be Most Convenient to Live If I Commute to Leicestershire and My Husband Commutes to London?: A Complete Guide

Choosing the right house where both partners have to move in opposite directions is one of the hardest logistic problems faced by couples. One needs to have access to the M1 and West Coast Main Line to travel north to Leicestershire, while the other must be able to reach London quickly and effortlessly. The compromise seems almost unattainable considering all three factors: commuting time, price, and quality of life. Nonetheless, there are several commuter villages and suburbs that fit into the ideal route between these two destinations. This article explains all the necessary details about geography, transport connections, prices, and lifestyle.

The Golden Corridor: Where North Meets South

An optimum site would be close to either the M1 motorway or the West Coast Main Line, both of which head north-west from London through Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, and the Midlands. Leicestershire is situated about 90 miles north-west of London, whereas the majority of commuter towns are about 20-30 miles south-east of central London. It follows that what you require is a place where your husband can commute south towards London and yourself north towards counties such as Leicestershire. Communities that lie along this line include Watford, St. Albans, Luton, Milton Keynes, and Northampton. Nonetheless, being near the capital will drive up property values, something you have to factor in when deciding. If your schedule differs, then having an alternative plan to fall back on becomes important. Should strikes or accidents occur to impede your husband's travel to London, he could get a Watford Taxi to take him to his workplace after he alights at the station.

Transport Infrastructure: The Deciding Factor

For making dual commuting possible, world-class transport connectivity is necessary. The M1 motorway (junctions 9-21) provides for the destinations of Leicestershire, such as Loughborough, Leicester, and Hinckley, requiring about 75-90 minutes of driving time from Watford under normal traffic conditions. In case of your spouse, there is a high-speed rail connection between Watford Junction and London Euston by the West Coast Main Line that takes only 16-20 minutes. Alternatively, one could choose Luton or other towns in the vicinity to travel from by means of the Thameslink train to London St Pancras (25-35 minutes) and use M1 motorway access roads towards Leicestershire direction. Milton Keynes has similar rail travel time to London Euston (30-35 minutes) but is somewhat closer to Leicestershire (55-60 minutes by car). In an ideal case scenario, the town should be located on the fast train line route and have immediate access to M1 motorway via slip roads. Another thing to consider when having both car and rail commuters in a family is parking near the station.

Top Contender #1: Watford, Hertfordshire

This might be the best option due to the balance offered by the location. Watford Junction provides easy access to Euston via a fast and direct train that does not stop anywhere. On your part, you have an easy drive north through the M1 from junction 5 towards Leicestershire. Watford is well known to have good schools and malls including Intu Watford and Atria Watford and also has many eateries. The prices of property are very high (£500,000-£700,000), although this will still not match those of central London. Disadvantages include the long drive of up to 90 minutes to Leicestershire from 7 to 9 o'clock. You will find congestion near Milton Keynes during these periods but will only be able to overcome this challenge if your work timings permit (10 AM onwards).

Top Contender #2: Luton, Bedfordshire

Luton provides a cheaper option. As average property costs range from about £300,000-£450,000, you enjoy spaciousness for less money. Moreover, travel time to Leicestershire through M1 would be a bit faster at 55-65 minutes from Junction 10 or 11. This gives you 15-20 minutes saved each way compared to Watford. You would have your husband’s Thameslink train to London St Pancras leaving him in London within 25-35 minutes; although that takes more time than Watford does, yet it is acceptable. There has been a lot of regeneration in Luton, including the new shopping complex and better infrastructure in the railway station. Nevertheless, unlike Watford and St. Albans, Luton lacks beauty and has some areas where there is relatively high crime rate. In case of your husband, a first-class train card could prove useful due to the longer route, and for days when he stays behind schedule at work and misses his train, a good private car service could come to the rescue. A fast call to a Watford Airport Taxis driver, while being Watford-based, sometimes covers Luton too, provided his operation area includes Luton region.

Top Contender #3: Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

Milton Keynes would be the northernmost choice, thus, making the journey to Leicestershire shorter – about 50-55 minutes using the M1 motorway. His train ride to Euston takes 30-35 minutes, which is almost similar to Luton. It is known for its grid road system, lots of parking space, and new housing estates. The prices of properties in the area are relatively low (£350,000 – £500,000), offering green surroundings, lakes, and large shopping mall. The disadvantage here is that it lacks the historical charm compared to Watford and has lesser cultural facilities. For your husband, the longer train ride suggests that he must add walking or biking time to get to Euston from his office, since it is not central in London. Nevertheless, the train service is good, being available every 10-15 minutes during peak hours. Both of you taking a car is easy in the M1 area but can be difficult in the junction (Newport Pagnell).

Top Contender #4: St. Albans, Hertfordshire

St. Albans is the most expensive and sought-after place among the three options. It provides a unique cathedral city feel, excellent schools, and an attractive high street. You can travel to London by Thameslink from St. Albans to London St Pancras in about 20–25 minutes from there, just as in Watford. The journey by car through the M1 (Junction 6) to Leicestershire is about 75–85 minutes long, almost the same as in Watford. The downside here is cost, as you pay extra for the aesthetic aspect. Moreover, it may be challenging to find parking in St. Albans because station carparks get full around 7:30 am. If your husband commutes by bike to the station, it will not matter that much. In your case, the junction with the M1 is somewhat longer as you need to pass the city roads before the motorway.

Also read: How and Why I Moved to England: A Personal Relocation Story

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Lifestyle and Quality of Life Considerations

In addition to commute times, consider the rest of your day. Although Watford and St. Albans provide great dining, entertainment, and recreational opportunities in the form of restaurants, theatres, and parks, it is important to note that housing prices will be higher because you get less square footage for your money. Luton and Milton Keynes, on the other hand, provide spacious and up-to-date properties with gardens, although there are fewer entertainment options. Regarding children, schooling options differ as well. Schools in St. Albans and Watford have high ratings from Ofsted, whereas Luton’s are not as good.

Final Verdict: The Best Compromise

If your husband can put up with the 35 minutes of train travel and does not mind driving an extra 15 to 20 minutes, then Luton may work out well. This gives him the shortest train travel and you still save 15 to 20 minutes compared to Watford on the way to your work. Additionally, because of the lower property prices, you can get a bigger house. The downside of using Watford is that you will incur higher transport costs, but it is unbeatable if your husband cannot put up with 35 minutes of train travel. In case the two of you prefer a premium experience in life, the St. Albans area may be a good choice for you. It is important to test the route yourself by traveling through it when the traffic is high. Consider spending a week in each area, traveling at the same times you would normally travel to gauge your time properly. When choosing the area in which to live, always factor in compromise for your marriage to work.