Escape the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy a quieter and more spacious environment with lower housing costs. Preston offers its residents a vibrant lifestyle, affordable living, and professional and leisure opportunities. Located on the north bank of the River Ribble in Lancashire, England, Preston has a metro area population of 334,000 as of the start of 2023.
The city of Preston is famous for its commuter towns; whether you are looking for closer proximity to larger city centres or well-connected public transportation to commute to and from work, Preston has it all. Let’s understand what commuter towns are and why they are so significant in today’s world.
What are Commuter Towns?
The towns that are solely for the purpose of residence for those who travel to nearby places for work are called commuter towns. The United Kingdom (UK) has seen a massive increase in house prices, largely resulting due to alarming levels of urbanisation. Therefore, those who cannot live where they work seek residency in nearby locations.
These locations fulfil all the essential and luxurious needs and wants of their residents. You can find numerous towns of the sort in Preston that not only provide you with easy access to city centres but also provide affordable living and recreational activities. Some of the best commuter towns in Preston include:
Ribbleton
Located to the east of the city centre, Ribbleton has an average house price range between £16,000 to £399,900. Just 11 minutes of drive away from Preston city centre, this area has a wide variety of properties for you. Whether you are looking for houses, bungalows or flats, Ribbleton has it all. Moreover, the town has all the public transportation facilities, too.
The Preston Bus service operates across the city, including Ribbleton; the nearest train station is Preston Station, which is 13 13-minute walk away. Ribbleton offers you a wide range of leisure attractions like the Flag Market and The Harris, where weekly events are held across the year. However, the biggest attraction has to be Ribbleton Park.
This is the place to go if you want to engage in high-intensity sports like football or a leisurely evening walk. You can also bring your children as there is a separate area designated for them. Ribbleton is an excellent commuter town that offers all the necessities of a healthy life.
Fulwood
Located north of the Preston city centre, Fulwood is another vibrant area having affordable houses to buy and rent. For a rent of around £1,400 per month, you can get a 5-bedroom house in Fulwood. Fulwood, in the last year, has seen many properties being sold, with the average price being around £207,781.
Fulwood is an excellent choice for families as it is located 5 minutes away from The Royal Preston Hospital. Fulwood’s Victorian architecture is a major attraction with places like the Christ Church. Visit the Fulwood Barracks, Harris Park site and many more if you are an architecture enthusiast.
In terms of transport, the town has access to the Preston Bus service, and the Preston train station is a measly 16-minute walk.
Barton
Located 6 miles from Preston, this part of the city is famous for its extravagant houses, bungalows and park homes. You will be amazed to know that the house price range in Barton is between £75,000 to £630,000.
When looking for attractions in Barton, you are sure to find some of the best Preston has to offer. Visit the Harris Museum, explore the Preston Town Hall, try your luck at the Miller Arcade or be mesmerised by the beauty of St. Lawrence’s Church.
Considering Barton is almost 10-11 km away from Preston, there are three main ways to get to Barton: by bus, by car and by taxi. The bus service run by Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire is a 28-minute journey. Barton has been a highly lucrative area for real estate due to the M6 being only 5 minutes away from it.
What are Preston’s most popular industries/employers?
Preston offers you a wide range of job opportunities depending on your field of expertise. Whether it’s the manufacturing industry, healthcare sector or any other, here are the most popular industries/employers you can find in Preston.
Manufacturing Industry
According to statistics available on Glassdoor, Openreach is rated 3.5/5 and is the most popular manufacturing company operating in Preston. Openreach is an electronics manufacturing company owned by British Telecom (BT). Other top manufacturing industry companies in Preston are:
- Anheuser-Busch InBev
- Thyssenkrupp
- Siemens
- Sika
Information Technology
With 3.7/5, Amazon tops the information technology charts in Preston. Other top IT companies you can look for are:
- DXC Technology
- IBM
- Atos
Healthcare
If you are looking for a job in the healthcare sector, the NHS should be your top priority. As per Glassdoor, the NHS is the highest-rated employer, with a rating of 3.7/5. Other healthcare companies include:
- Lancashire Teaching Hospital
- Bupa
- Four Seasons Healthcare
- Barchester Healthcare
McDonald’s, with a rating of 3.5, is the most popular company in Preston. Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Starbucks are also among the most common employers you can work for in Preston.
Where can you commute to/from Preston for work?
With a comprehensive transportation facility that includes bus service, trains and taxis, you can commute to all parts of Preston and neighbouring cities with ease. For just £2, you can use the Preston Bus for most routes across the city.
The M6 makes it easier than ever for you to drive to other cities for work, like Manchester, London, Liverpool, Leads, etc. If you do not own a car, the train is an ever-reliable option to get to where you need to go.
Why might you want to live in a commuter town?
Commuter towns are residential areas typically occupied by individuals who work in nearby areas but cannot afford or find a house there. Living in a commuter town has a number of benefits:
Affordable Housing
Commuter towns are areas generally located in the outer parts of cities. Due to their location, the house prices are considerably cheaper in those areas.
Reliable Transportation
Commuter Towns in the UK usually have an excellent transport service. Whether you are looking to go within the city or across different cities for work, the bus, train and taxi service make your life and journey easier and safer.
Peaceful Spacious Environment
Large-scale urbanisation has contributed significantly to the population growth in the cities. If you are an individual who seeks peace and comfort rather than the hustle and bustle of city life, commuter towns are for you.
Vibrant Lifestyle
Despite being on the outskirts of main cities, commuter towns provide you with affordable living with all the necessary facilities. On top of that, leisure activities and other luxuries are also available there.
Not only do Preston’s commuter towns provide you with affordable living, but their reliable transportation system makes it easy for you to commute to and from your work. Sell house fast, move to Preston, and benefit from a fit lifestyle in a bustling city with striking architecture and cutting-edge amenities. Contact us now and relocate to Preston today!
