London commuter guide to Mitcham

(Photo credit: London on the Inside)

Thinking about living in Mitcham?

When it comes to choosing the right place to live, it can be tricky to know where to start, when there are so many factors to consider. A good place to begin is to find out the speed and convenience of your commute to work. You need to think about travel costs on London’s huge public transport network as well as the time it takes to get from your door to your place of work.

As Londoners, we all tend to lead hectic lives, working late or returning home later than planned after an irresistible temptation to meet a friend, try a new bar, or dine out in town. We all want to stay flexible, so a swift reliable commute is essential to your health, wealth and wellbeing.

You may not be able to control the amount of people that squeeze onto our train, or fix the price of your morning coffee, but you can control the amount of time you spend getting to and from your place of work.

(Photo credit: The Daily Mail)

It makes sense when you’re considering buying a property to move a few more stops down the line to get the most bang for your buck. But the real secret is in finding the right balance between space to live and an easy journey to work. Move too many stops and your commuting time will be arduously long, don’t move far enough and you could be left squeezing your belongings into a flat, only suitable for a hamster. Striking the right balance is key.

(Photo credit: My Community)

Value for money

For first time buyers, one of the most important things is getting good value for your money. When you compare places like Clapham, properties in Mitcham can fetch up to three times the amount of space. So maybe you could afford that second (or even third) bedroom after all… It’s also worth finding out how much financial love a town is likely to receive from the council in the next few years… For example, Mitcham has been granted £435 million! There are plans for new estates, shops, offices, supermarkets and a much wider selection of amenities. It makes sense to wise up on the future plans of an area, when you are planning to buy a property there.

(Photo credit: Rightmove)

So, where is Mitcham?

Located about 3 miles southeast from Wimbledon, Mitcham is perfectly situated with easy access to the Surrey countryside and a very reasonable journey into central London. With two stations – Mitcham Eastfields and Mitcham Junction, servicing Blackfriars and London Bridge, Mitcham is handily connected for the city. There are also regular tram services to Wimbledon, so you can easily explore a wide selection of bars, pubs, restaurants and nightlife.

(Photo credit: Homes & Property)

Distances

So how long will it actually take to commute? Well, you’ll be pleased to know it’s not very long! Here’s a breakdown of some of London’s most popular locations:

Blackfriars – less than half an hour via the Thameslink Rail Network from Mitcham Eastfields station
London Bridge – less than half an hour via the Southern Rail Network from Mitcham Eastfields station
Victoria – 20 minutes on the Southern Rail Network from Mitcham Eastfields station.
Wimbledon – just 11 minutes by tram from Mitcham
Clapham Junction – less than 10 minutes using the Southern Rail Network from Mitcham Eastfields
Oxford circus – half an hour journey using the Southern Rail Network from Mitcham Eastfields, then a short hop on the Victoria line
Kings Cross – is also just over half an hour from Mitcham Eastfields using the Southern Rail Network, then a short trip on the Victoria line

(Photo credit: Tefal)

Next important question. Where can you get your morning coffee?

Almost as essential as journey time. Mitcham Junction station serves smooth Lavazza coffee. It’s not freshly ground but it does the job! There are also a few small, family run cafes to choose form along the way to both Mitcham Eastfields Station and Mitcham Junction. It’s worth trying them all out to find your favourite morning fuel to kickstart your commute.

On foot!

Don’t underestimate the power of your own two feet. Walking part of your journey can avoid busy stations, and even result in a quicker journey time. Set your Fitbit and off you go. Lose pounds and gain £s, all at the same time! The whole walk from Mitcham to London Bridge takes 2 h 47 minutes over 8.3 miles, but you could just do part of it.