Why Location Still Matters: Choosing The Right Area For Your New Home

Searches for the best places to live in the UK often begin with a list:

• A riverside town
• London borough with green space
• Historic village with cottages
• Well-connected commuter locations

Yet the right location is rarely decided by a ranking alone: instead by the kind of life you want to build and the things behind the listings.

At Shanly Homes, we choose locations across London and the South East with care, looking for places that offer character, connections and long-term appeal. The home itself matters deeply, but the area around it shapes how each day feels.

Let’s explore how we help our clients find the right place for them.

The Best Location is Personal 

The phrase best places to live in the UK can mean very different things depending on where you are in life. While there are always lists of the ‘top’ places to live, the reality is different for everyone.

For a first-time buyer, it might mean a well-connected apartment close to transport and local amenities. For a growing family, it could mean more space, nearby schools and somewhere children can put down roots.

For downsizers, the right place may offer ease, quality and a calmer pace without feeling disconnected.

That is why our developments vary so widely. Across our current developments, we offer homes ranging from one-bedroom apartments to five-bedroom houses, giving buyers flexibility in both lifestyle and size.

Berkshire: Riverside Living And Commuter Convenience

Berkshire has lasting appeal because of its ability to offer several versions of a good life in one county. We develop homes across desirable Berkshire towns and villages, from riverside settings to well-connected commuter hubs.

For buyers who want village charm with strong links, White Waltham offers a particularly attractive balance. Its village centre includes local farm shops, cafés and everyday amenities, Nearby Maidenhead station provides rail services towards London, and drivers can find the M4 just 3.5 miles away.

Bracknell offers a different kind of convenience. Bordered by Ascot and Wokingham, near Windsor and Maidenhead, it benefits from direct train services to London Waterloo and access to Reading as a wider transport hub.

For buyers comparing the best places to live in the UK, Berkshire often makes sense because it does not ask for one fixed lifestyle. It can feel village-led, commuter-friendly or riverside, depending on where you choose.

Surrey: Space, Access And A Softer Pace 

Surrey continues to appeal to buyers who want proximity to London without losing the feeling of space.

Our new homes in Surrey include apartments and houses in Staines-upon-Thames, as well as contemporary apartments in Esher. Esher is close to London, steeped in history and surrounded by green space, including Esher Commons with its ponds, heath and woodland.

Staines-upon-Thames brings a different quality again. At Moorfield Mews, homes are located a short distance from the River Thames, with local amenities nearby and countryside close at hand. The development also benefits from being close to Staines station which offers direct trains into London Waterloo, the M25 and Heathrow Airport, giving buyers practical access alongside a quieter riverside setting.

For those working between home and city, Surrey often offers the rhythm modern buyers want: connected when needed, calmer when it matters.

London: Leafy, Connected And Designed For Modern Living 

‘London lifestyle’ can’t be defined in one sentence or category, which is why location matters even more within the capital.

Our new homes in North London can be found in the London Borough of Barnet, one of the most desirable and leafy boroughs in North London. At Lightfield, our apartments are set behind an elegant gated entrance in the heart of Barnet Town Centre, two minutes from The Spires shopping centre and close to local amenities. The development also offers transport links into Central London and access to nearby schools, including Queen Elizabeth’s.

This is where apartment living can work especially well. All homes at Lightfield benefit from open-plan kitchen, living and dining areas, underfloor heating and a 10-year new home warranty, and many have a balcony or terrace.

For buyers who want the energy of London with a more residential feel, Barnet offers a strong case. It is a place where convenience does not have to feel crowded.

Kent: Market Town Character With Strong Connections 

Kent’s reputation as the Garden of England is well earned. Our Kent locations feature the highlights of a beautiful coastline, market towns, green landscapes, heritage sites and walking routes, alongside access to London and continental connections via Dover and Folkestone.

Tonbridge is one of the clearest examples of this balance. The town is surrounded by the Weald and bordered by the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It also offers local conveniences, access to Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks and Maidstone, and strong rail connections, with Tonbridge Station providing rail access to London in around 34 minutes according to our location page.

For families, the area includes primary, secondary and grammar schools nearby, while Haysden Country Park offers space for walks, sport and relaxation. Kent suits buyers who want somewhere with history and movement. A place that feels established, but not still.

Oxfordshire: Countryside Setting With Everyday Practicality 

Oxfordshire is often associated with open countryside, village life and a slower pace. For many buyers, that is exactly the draw.

Our Oxfordshire locations include popular villages and towns, with beautifully designed detached and semi-detached homes suited to buyers looking for premium Shanly Homes quality in a countryside setting.

Chinnor is a strong example of what makes this part of the country so appealing. Set at the foot of the Chiltern Hills, it offers countryside, heritage and village character, with Chinnor Hill Nature Reserve and the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty nearby. The village also has local amenities, traditional pubs, cafés and independent shops, while remaining connected through the M40 and rail links from Princes Risborough.

Oxfordshire often speaks to buyers who want more room to breathe. It offers the possibility of a home that feels grounded, without feeling cut off.

Hampshire: Town, Country And Room To Grow 

Hampshire offers one of the broadest lifestyle pictures in the South East. Our Hampshire page describes a county that combines city, coast and countryside, with access to the South Downs, the New Forest, the North Wessex Downs and a wide range of country parks and beaches.

Our upcoming homes in Odiham at Meadow Rise are set to include two, three and five-bedroom houses, as well as two-bedroom dormer bungalows. The development is positioned near local amenities and schools, with Mayhill Junior and Robert Mays School within walking distance.

This makes Hampshire particularly interesting for buyers thinking long term. A smaller home may suit one stage of life, while a larger house gives growing families more flexibility. The location supports both, with countryside close by and practical connections still within reach.

West Sussex: Village Life With Strong Links

For some buyers, the right location is the one that feels calm from the moment they arrive.

Balcombe offers that kind of appeal. The picturesque village with excellent transport links, is located just 36 miles south of London and close to Gatwick Airport. It benefits from mainline rail services to London via Gatwick Airport and to Brighton via the Ouse Valley Viaduct.

The village has everything that makes village living a pleasure: a general store, tea room, bakery, The Balcombe Club and the community-owned pub, the Half Moon Inn. Nearby Haywards Heath offers further places to eat and spend time, while local walks and cycle routes are in abundance.

For buyers looking beyond the usual lists of the best places to live in the UK, Balcombe shows why smaller places can be so compelling. The lifestyle is local, but not limited.

How To Choose The Right Area For You 

The right location should make your week feel easier, not just your move feel exciting.

Before choosing a new home, spend time thinking about the shape of your life. If you commute, test the journey at the time you would actually travel. If schools matter, research them carefully and visit the area at different points of the day. If green space is important, walk the routes you imagine using.

Then look at the home itself. Does the size fit how you live now? Does it give you flexibility for the next few years? Would an apartment make life simpler, or would a house give you the room you need?

These questions matter more than any national ranking. The best places to live in the UK are not simply found on a list. They are found in the details of everyday life.

Finding Your Best Place To Live 

A good location should feel practical on a weekday and rewarding at the weekend. It should give you enough connection to live easily, and enough character to feel like somewhere worth staying.

Whether you are drawn to the riverside calm of Berkshire, the connections of Surrey, the village life of West Sussex or the character of Kent, choosing the right area is one of the most important decisions you will make.

The best place to live is the one that makes your life feel more like yours. Get in touch with our team today to help you find the perfect place for you.

Location FAQs 

What Are The Best Places To Live In The UK?

The best places to live in the UK depend on your lifestyle, budget, work patterns and long-term plans. Many buyers look for a balance of transport links, schools, green space, local amenities and property choice.

Why Is Location Important When Buying A New Home?

Location shapes everyday life. It affects travel, schools, leisure, access to services and the wider sense of community. A well-chosen location can make a home feel right for longer.

Which Shanly Homes Locations Are Good For Commuters?

Shanly Homes builds in a range of commuter-friendly areas across London and the South East, including locations in Berkshire, Surrey, Kent and West Sussex with rail or road access to larger towns and London.

Which Locations Offer More Space?

Buyers looking for more space may consider house-led locations in counties such as Oxfordshire, Hampshire and West Sussex, where Shanly Homes developments include or are planned to include family-sized homes, depending on availability.

How Should I Compare Areas Before Buying?

Visit the area more than once, test the journey to work, walk to local amenities, check schools if relevant and think about how the location will support your routine over time.