The ‘lively’ London commuter hotspot first-time buyers are flocking to

Dartford is located around 17 miles southeast of London (Picture: Getty Images) While London’s seemingly-endless house price growth has stalled recently, getting on the ladder there is still a distant dream for many. As such, many would-be homeowners are looking to the city’s commuter belt — and it seems one spot is proving especially popular. Using the latest ONS data, HouseBuyers4u compared first-time buyer mortgage sales against total housing stock across local authorities, crowning Dartford as the UK hotspot. With 19.36 FTB sales per 1,000 dwellings, the Kent district came out with the highest rate of anywhere in Britain, which Marc von Grundherr, director of Benham and Reeves, says is no surprise. ‘Dartford has long been a strong option for first-time buyers who want to remain within easy reach of London without paying London prices,’ he tells Metro. ‘It’s perhaps more practical than prestigious, but that is exactly where its appeal lies, with good connectivity, access to the M25 and Bluewater, and a much broader choice of entry-level homes than buyers will find closer to the capital.’ It’s certainly well connected (Picture: Getty Images) Ready to start your homebuying journey? You can access completely fee-free mortgage advice with London & Country (L&C) Mortgages, a partner of Metro. Customers benefit from: – Award winning service from the UK’s leading mortgage broker – Expert advisors on hand 7 days a week – Access to 1000s of mortgage deals from across the market Unlike many mortgage brokers, L&C won’t charge you a fee for their advice. Find out how much you could borrow online Mortgage service provided by London & Country Mortgages (L&C), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (registered number: 143002). The FCA does not regulate most Buy to Let mortgages. Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. House prices in Dartford Marc continues: ‘The average first-time buyer price in Dartford currently sits at £306,004 and, importantly, that sort of budget doesn’t necessarily restrict buyers to a flat. ‘There are currently examples of three-bedroom semi-detached homes, two-bedroom semis and two-bedroom end-of-terrace properties being marketed at around the £300,000 mark.’ In his view, this is a ‘major advantage’ for first-timers, ‘as it gives them greater scope to grow into their first home rather than having to move again relatively quickly.’ Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. Affordability and price growth go hand in hand here too, as the average FTB property in Dartford has increased by 4% over the last year, from £294,361 to £306,004. Marc calls Greenhithe a ‘contemporary’ neighbourhood for young professionals (Picture: Getty Images) ‘That compares with growth of 2.5% across Kent as a whole, while the average first-time buyer price in London has fallen by 2.8% over the same period and remains considerably higher at £471,629,’ Marc adds. When it comes to the most desirable locales, the estate agent says there’s a ‘good variety’ depending on what you’re after. He explains: ‘Wilmington offers a leafier, more established feel with larger family homes, while West Dartford and West Hill are popular for traditional semis and terraces within reasonable reach of the town centre and station.’ ‘Greenhithe provides a more contemporary option, particularly for younger professionals, but Ebbsfleet and Stone are benefiting from the wider growth and regeneration taking place across this part of Kent.’ Would you consider living in Dartford as a London commuter? Yes, it seems like a great location.Check Maybe, but I need to visit first.Check No, it's not for me.Check I prefer staying within London.Check Sign up to Metro’s The Key newsletter for must-read property stories, DIY hacks and tips for buying a home. Transport links While Dartford may not be on the Tube network, it’s easy to get into Central London by rail, with direct Southeastern and Thameslink services to major stations including Charing Cross, Cannon Street, London Bridge, Liverpool Street and Victoria. From this zone 8 hub, the journey time into zone 1 normally takes around 45 minutes to an hour, but some fast trains will get you there in as little as 30 minutes, with fares from £5.70 each way. If you prefer to drive, you’re well connected thanks to the M25 and A2, as well as the Dartford Tunnel and Queen Elizabeth II bridge, but buses are a little less efficient, typically taking over 90 minutes each way and requiring at least one change. Things to do in Dartford If you’re worried that moving out of London means giving up the buzz of city life, Dartford has plenty to keep you occupied. There’s green space galore, such as Central Park in the heart of the town, with riverside walks, sports facilities, a café, playgrounds and outdoor events, alongside Dartford Heath and Darenth Country Park. Dartford town centre boasts many amenities — and statues of its favourite sons, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards (Picture Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) The borough is also home to Bluewater, one of the South East’s biggest shopping and leisure destinations boasting around 300 stores and over 50 bars, restaurants, and cafes. Or, for something a little more cultural, The Orchard Theatre hosts touring theatre, comedy, music and family shows, while the Mick Jagger Centre has live music and performances. Add in a busy programme of community events and festivals throughout the year, including the Big Day Out and Dartford Pride, and you won’t be bored. What it’s like to live in Dartford Over the last few years, a number of people have posted to r/kentuk asking for residents’ opinions on moving to Dartford — which arguably seems like proof of the reported influx. On one thread, NebCrushrr wrote: ‘It’s a lively place. The town centre is busy and relatively unblighted. There’s a real community here. It’s multicultural nowadays as well.’ Fancy it? (Picture: Getty Images) ‘The main pro for me is that you have easy access to whatever takes your fancy,’ another Redditor, Dull_Reindeer1223, commented. ‘Go in one direction and you’re in the countryside, go the other and you’re in the hustle and bustle of the city with lots of things to do.’ Some were a lot less positive though, calling it ‘rough’, ‘filthy’, and ‘dead’, with one claiming: ‘Dartford is a place to avoid unless necessary.’ Over on Facebook, Stuart Lake shared a slightly more balanced perspective, adding: ‘It’s a decent place, plenty of good people here, and the town centre is surprisingly good considering how close Bluewater is. Traffic can be awful so bear that in mind, but other than that I’ve had no complaints in the 16 years I’ve lived here.’ Deals of the Day Shop MySweetSmile's biggest Bank Holiday offers before they end Back-to-school shopping just got a lot cheaper thanks to Primark The back-to-school essential parents forget every year – and it could cost them Simba's cooling mattresses are now up to 30% off ahead of the bank holiday The best hosepipe ban-friendly products to protect your garden this summer It’s not rare for a place to divide opinion like this, but everybody has different preferences, so your best bet if you like the look of this neighbourhood (and its house prices) is to pay it a visit and find out for yourself. Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk Arrow MORE: Families of Lockerbie bombing victims speak out after trial postponed Arrow MORE: Boy, 5, who fell to death from 15th-floor window ‘believed he could fly’ Arrow MORE: ‘Brilliant’ woman, 23, found dead in Islington named and pictured for first time The Key Sign up for must-read property stories, DIY hacks and tips for buying a home.