Transport links outside of the capital are constantly improving, and many home buyers are hoping to bag more for their house budget away from the capital’s property bubble.
We have tracked down a selection of developments across the South East, this time in Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, West Sussex and Kent – many of which are within commuting distance of the capital or other key regional economic hubs such as Reading.
This latest round-up includes some options to suit first time buyers with a limited budget, right through to high end, luxury developments for well-heeled buyers.
Mapmakers in Southampton, Hampshire (Kier Living)
Contemporary apartments and houses are available in Southampton, situated in a tranquil spot next to the new Ordnance Park and close to a number of other popular green spaces – yet just three miles from the city centre.
Ranging in size from one to three bedrooms, all of the properties offer a quality design and construction that is built to last. Despite the peaceful location, Mapmakers also offers convenience, with a good choice of shops on site, and great transport links by bus, road and rail.
The first homes will be ready to move into from autumn 2016, with Help to Buy available on all properties.
Prices: Apartments are available from £145,000 and houses from £225,000
Find out more about new developments from Kier Living
Gales Park in Horndean, Hampshire (Charles Church)
Two-bedroom apartments are currently available in the rural village of Horndean in East Hampshire at a development made up of a range of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes.
Situated on the A3 between Portsmouth and London, historic Horndean has a good range of shops and other amenities and is close to excellent road and rail links, including the M27 and A27, giving easy access to the south coast. The nearest railway station is in the nearby village of Rowlands Castle just over two miles away, while the larger towns of Chichester (30 minute drive), Havant (13 minutes) and Portsmouth (16 minutes) are all easily accessible for commuting and shopping.
The local area also offers a good choice of local schools and leisure options - including trips to Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Butser Hill National Nature Reserve and the South Downs National Park.
The two-bedroom apartments currently available come with free carpets throughout; stamp duty paid; and £1,000 towards legal fees.
Prices: Two-bedroom apartments starting from £218,995
Find out more about Gales Park from Charles Church
Croft Gardens in Spencers Wood, Berkshire (Taylor Wimpey)
Appealing to a wide range of buyers and budgets, Croft Gardens incorporates modern one- and two-bedroom apartments as well as two-, three- and four-bedroom homes built in a variety of styles.
Situated in the old Berkshire villages of Three Mile Cross and Spencers Wood, the development manages to blend modern living with a laid-back village lifestyle. There are plenty of open spaces and the countryside location is by no means isolating: there are great transport links with the capital and other commuter destinations, with the M4 nearby and London just half an hour away by fast trains from Reading (which itself is less than six miles away). Reading also has some great shops, while there are more relaxing leisure options in local woods and on the common, along the River Loddon, or at the nearby North Wessex Downs.
Prices: From £237,000 up to £565,000
Find out more about new developments from Taylor Wimpey
Windsor Park in Buckingham, Buckinghamshire (Barratt Homes)
These three- and four-bedroom family homes are situated on the edge of the thriving, historic town of Buckingham, within easy commuting distance of Oxford, Bicester and Milton Keynes, and just a stone's throw from the M1.
Built with family living in mind, the development offers plenty of green space and a couple of play areas for children, and there are three schools within a half-mile radius. There are also restaurants and pubs nearby, and a range of countryside and riverside walks to enjoy.
Apart from offering excellent road links, there are also direct trains to London from Buckingham, arriving in the city in under an hour.
Selected homes at Windsor Park include sheds with water butts, and all of the homes there have double glazed windows, insulated walls and a 'A' rated boiler to offer energy efficiency.
Prices: From £319,995 to £399,995
Find out more about Windsor Park from Barratt Homes
Elysian Fields at Wickhurst Green, West Sussex (Countryside Properties)
Elysian Fields is the final phase of homes to be released at Wickhurst Green, a new community that extends the established village of Broadbridge Heath, near Horsham, surrounded by picturesque countryside and mature trees.
Nestled amongst tree-lined avenues and planted landscaped areas, each home at the development is designed to offer a tranquil living space that meets the needs of modern lifestyles.
The exteriors incorporate influences from established local architecture, while the interiors blend classic and contemporary designs with a high specification. The village is home to a post office, a supermarket, a hairdressers and a pub, while the lively market town of Horsham is only a mile away. Broadbridge Heath is just an hour by train from London, and 40 minutes by car from the coast.
Prices: Four-bedroom homes from £600,00; five-bedroom homes from £630,000
Find out more at www.countryside-properties.com; 01403 276700
Bell Orchard in St Mary’s Platt, Kent (Millwood Designer Homes)
Just one luxury property now remains available at this intimate development of just three five-bedroom detached homes in the village of Platt, all with detached double garages and west-facing rear gardens.
Due to be completed this summer, Bell Orchard is situated on a quiet, leafy road in the charming village of St Mary’s Platt, surrounded by rolling countryside.
Placed between the desirable areas of Sevenoaks (seven miles) and West Malling (four miles), despite its rural location the village offers a good range of amenities as well as excellent transport links. For commuters the village is located just off the A20, well-sited for M20 and M25 links, while for families there are some great schools nearby, including Platt Church of England Primary School less than half a mile away, and Borough Green Primary School just over a mile away (both of which have both received good Ofsted reports). For shopping trips, one of the UK’s largest shopping malls, Bluewater, is about 17 miles away, or Maidstone, the county town of Kent, is just 10 miles away.
Prices: The remaining five-bedroom home is priced at £1.45m
Find out more at www.millwooddesignerhomes.co.uk; 01732 770991