A renowned estate agency, based in southern England, has declared Billericay in Essex ‘the most desirable place to live for London commuters’ after conducting a detailed survey of potential locations suitable for first-time buyers.

The research, commissioned and published by Mackenzie Smith, also deemed Earlswood in Surrey and the Hertfordshire new town of Stevenage to be close runners-up.

While the authors of the study admitted Billericay isn’t the cheapest place to buy, the Essex town still triumphed as a result of topping other ranking criteria, including the lowest crime rate in the region, and a well-served 23-mile commute by train.

Data on over 100 towns in southern England was gathered for the study, which was commissioned as the basis of a guide for new prospective house hunters.

To create a top-ten shortlist, researchers narrowed down the locations by comparing key datasets that included Ofsted school ratings, crime figures, average house prices, rail fares and journey times to central London train stations.

Second-placed Earlswood, on the outskirts of Redhill, was noted for having the lowest rail season ticket prices, and the shortest commute distance of all the selected locations: a 20-mile journey.

Meanwhile, third-placed Stevenage stood out for having some of the most affordable average house prices in the South.

The findings of the survey underline recent market trends, which Mackenzie Smith routinely shares with buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants across the region to help them achieve their property goals.

Speaking from the recently opened branch office in Camberley, Ed Mackenzie Smith, co-founder of Mackenzie Smith estate agents said: “Good commutes have always been important to home buyers.

“Whether it’s a commute for work or culture, good rail connections offer great benefit to a lifestyle and indeed the continued value of a property.

“In our branch towns and villages, ideally positioned along the M3 corridor, we’ve always welcomed those moving out of the city to make the best of both the countryside and city with excellent commuting options by road and rail.

“This report is a great opportunity for people to find their new life after London, with some excellent choices across the region.”

Other locations to make the top ten included the Hampshire town of Fleet, which enjoys the greatest number of ‘outstanding’ schools; Farnborough, which is experiencing a surge in new developments; and Luton, which has the most affordable average house prices.