Epping: The Commuter Town That Feels 100 Miles from London Yet Is Just 40 Minutes Away
Commuter towns frequently provide a peaceful, rural escape from London's relentless hustle and bustle. Among these, the border town of Epping stands out with its serene woodland and exceptional connections to Central London, positioned at the far terminus of the Central line.
What Do Locals Think About Living In Epping?
Epping features a vibrant high street overflowing with independent cafés, retailers, and well-known chain stores. However, just moments away lies the expansive Epping Forest, a paradise for dog walkers and nature enthusiasts alike.
Local residents consistently highlight the forest as the town's most valuable asset. Caroline Dunk, 54, who relocated to Epping two years ago, enthusiastically shared: "I've got everything I need on my doorstep, especially a forest. I've just been for a two-hour walk there, and I saw all the little deer, which just kicked off my day in the right way."
Alan Wheal, 65, a resident for over two decades, wholeheartedly agrees. He remarked: "The forest is amazing; I've got two dogs, so it makes a big difference. In Epping, you're close to London, but you could be 100 miles away in the forest, so it feels nice."
Alan, who spent numerous years working in Holborn, considers Epping's location ideal for commuters. He elaborated: "I love how safe and quiet it is here, but it's also so near to London. I worked in Central London and it was so convenient. Now, I work locally, which is just nicer."
A Changing Town with Mixed Perspectives
David Farmer, 73, has resided in Epping for more than 40 years, witnessing significant transformations throughout that period. While he appreciates the town's outstanding transport links to London, he finds journeys to other regions of the country increasingly challenging.
He explained: "I mean, the access to transport is very good - there's the Central line, and it's easy to get to Stansted Airport. But I've got relatives down in the southwest of the country, and now it's very difficult to get around; sometimes it's 2.5 or 3 hours to even get onto the M3 or M4 motorway, so that's become quite a problem really."
David added that he is not entirely satisfied with Epping's evolution. He stated: "It was a nice market town when I first came in my 20s. Now, I think there are too many buildings, too many people being pushed in here. It feels like it's just been taken into London, really."
Vivienne Armstrong, 70, shares the perspective that Epping has undergone substantial changes, with certain developments negatively impacting the town overall. She noted: "We've lost a lot of shops; we've got too many nail bars. So mainly the shopping has changed, I think, for the worse."
Nevertheless, she still treasures Epping's proximity to the countryside. Vivienne added: "But it still has a bit of a country feel to it, which is lovely because we've got the woods on top of us. It's great for walking in the summer and winter, especially if you've got animals."
Neil Lawson, who was walking his dog, praised the area: "It's a very nice market town. Within 10 minutes, you can be out there and have a walk in the forest, which is great."
Christine Rad, 38, affirmed that Epping meets all her needs. She said: "It's a very nice area; nice people, nice restaurants, pretty peaceful compared to London. I only go to London once a month because you literally have everything you need here in Epping, so it's entertaining here!"
Thus, while some residents believe the town has deteriorated, the majority appreciate Epping's unique fusion of rural charm and urban convenience as a definitive advantage.
Property in Epping: High Demand and Premium Prices
The town's popularity ensures that properties command premium prices. According to Rightmove, the average property price in Epping is just under £600,000. For context, this figure is approximately £60,000 less than London's average property price, highlighting Epping's appeal as a more affordable yet highly desirable alternative within commuting distance of the capital.
