Milton Keynes boosts commuter home appeal
Milton Keynes celebrated its 50th birthday this year, and according to Halifax, property prices in Milton Keynes have risen by 601%, with an average price of £309,415, which makes it the best-performing new town over the last 30 years.
It has fast become a commuter hotspot, with frequent trains running from Milton Keynes Central to London Euston in just 30 minutes. An annual season ticket to London Euston is £5028, or £5148 for travel valid to both London Euston and London St Pancras International. The town is located near to the M1, with Heathrow just an hour away, and London around a 1hr 40 drive away.
The town is known for its thriving music scene with residents and visitors being able to enjoy a multitude of performances at the Milton Keynes theatre. The auditorium which has a capacity of 1,400 is considered one of the most successful theatres outside of London’s West End, being most notorious for its operatic performances. Another, The Stables, founded by world renowned jazz musicians Sir John Dankworth and Dame Cleo Laine offers music lovers the sounds from the world of pop, rock, jazz and classical in an intimate 398-seat auditorium. Milton Keynes is home to the open air National Bowl, a venue used for large events which can hold 65,000 people.
Milton Keynes Council has formed a partnership with Mears Group called YourMK, through which a £1bn project called the MK Regeneration is due to launch in July. This scheme will offer tenants on seven estates the choice to swap their old homes for a brand new one. Council leader Pete Marland has admitted that some homes that are beyond repair could be demolished, but that all those affected would be offered a new property.
Families looking to move to Milton Keynes will be impressed by the education facilities, with some Ofsted rated 'Outstanding' schools such as Priory Rise School, and many Ofsted rated 'Good' schools, including Giles Brook, Long Meadow and Shenley Brook End School.
We’ve put together a selection of the best new builds in Milton Keynes…
| Shakespeare Park (Taylor Wimpey) - Located in south west Milton Keynes, Shakespeare Park is the ideal location for families. Central Milton Keynes is just a few minutes drive away, and there are plenty of green spaces nearby. The development offers two-bedroom apartments, and three-, four- and five-bedroom houses. Prices start from £455,000. View more about Shakespeare Park from Taylor Wimpey |  |
| Oxley Gardens (Linden Homes) - Oxley Gardens in Oxley Park is just a few minutes drive from Milton Keynes centre. The contemporary development has a range of two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom homes. The train station is just three miles away, making this a great location for commuters, and the development has good road access to the A5, A421 and the M1. Prices from £399,995. Find out more about Oxley Garden from Linden Homes |  |
| Brooklands (Barratt Homes) - With two primary schools on the development, Brooklands is the ideal commuter development built with families in mind. The development offers one-, two-, four- and five-bedroom homes, many available on Help to Buy. Prices start from £155,196. View more about Brooklands |  |
Life (Avant Homes) - The design-led one and two-bedroom apartments at Avant Homes’ Life development provide the best of both worlds for commuters, given the location in the heart of scenic Buckinghamshire and the proximity to commuter routes to London and other nearby towns. Properties at the development, located on Western Road, Bletchley, have been created to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern living. Help to Buy is available at the development. Prices start at £189,995 for a one-bedroom apartment. View more at www.avanthomes.co.uk |  |
| Maple Gardens (Crest Nicholson) - Part of the popular Oakgrove Village development, Maple Gardens comprises a collection of one- and two-bedroom apartments, and two-, three- and four-bedroom houses in the heart of Milton Keynes. Prices start from £280,000. Find out more about Maple Gardens |  |