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Moving to Dorset, Somerset or Wiltshire from London? Use a Local Company and Save Money

Posted on 19/10/2023 by Nick Johnson
Moving to Dorset, Somerset or Wiltshire from London? Use a Local Company and Save Money

Suppose moving to a new house is on the horizon, and you plan to leave the capital soon. In that case, using a London removal company is only sometimes good value for money. By shopping around for local providers in the area you’re moving to, you can save money and receive the same high standard. Johnson’s Removals is your company if this is the ideal situation.

Our team has decades’ worth of removals and storage experience under our belt. We can collect you from London and the neighbouring counties to relocate you anywhere in Dorset, Somerset, or Wiltshire. We’ll provide you with a free, no-obligation quote and a choice of removals and storage packages that cater to every scenario.

Contents

  • Leaving London to Move to a New House in Dorset, Somerset, or Wiltshire?
  • Cost of f Living Comparison: London vs Dorset, Somerset, and Wiltshire
  • Top-Rated Areas in Dorset, Somerset, and Wiltshire
  • Is It Possible to Commute to London for Work?
  • When Do You Start Planning the Move?
  • Finding the Right Removals Service and No-Obligation Quotes

Leaving London to Move to a New House in Dorset, Somerset, or Wiltshire?

Owning or renting a home in London has many perks, and it’s undoubtedly an exciting place to live. But it can become a tiring experience. It’s one of the busiest cities in the world, and this is only some people’s cup of tea. Even if it was the place to be during your 20s, things change, and we want other things as life moves on.

That’s why thousands of people leave London every year for counties like Dorset, Somerset, and Wiltshire. They all feature as popular destinations for former Londoners. And one thing people don’t think about is using a company from these areas for the relocation. Johnson’s spends a lot of time collecting people from London to move them to more scenic locations.

Our customer service means we always strive to better ourselves wherever possible. And that’s why we encourage feedback from our customers. By doing this, it’s possible to see if there are gaps in our range of services where we need to design a new package. Similarly, we use this process to improve our current services.

Cost of f Living Comparison: London vs Dorset, Somerset, and Wiltshire

You’ll need to know the financial information before you search for new beginnings. We’ve compiled cost of living and property info between each county and London. The order of each list will show the most expensive location at the top and run in descending order to the most affordable.

Average property price:

  1. London – £722,380
  2. Dorset – £406,269
  3. Wiltshire – £348,868
  4. Somerset – £338,649

Average rent cost:

  1. London – £2,179
  2. Wiltshire – £1,551
  3. Dorset – £1,548
  4. Somerset – £1,521

*Total cost of living:

  1. London – £6,030
  2. Somerset (Bath) – £4400
  3. Dorset (Bournemouth) – £4000
  4. Wiltshire (Swindon) – £3900

*Most accurate figures for the day-to-day cost of living expenses are done by main hubs instead of at regional – we used each county’s largest city or town for the above section.

Remember, these are general figures – you’ll need to perform a similar online search for specific locations. As you can see – it is significantly cheaper in each area compared to London. We’ll cover the travel information later in this blog.

Top-Rated Areas in Dorset, Somerset, and Wiltshire

Next, you’ll need to find the perfect spot as you escape London. We list two locations in each county that rank highly on the ‘best of Britain’ type annual lists. You can use this as a starting point as you delve deeper into the most attractive neighbourhoods and towns for a soon-to-be-ex-Londoner. Contacting estate agents in each area to arrange viewings is also a good idea.

Dorset:

Sherborne: This famous and charming town is one of Dorset’s finest. With its listed buildings, green fields, and excellent schools, people flock here for a peaceful countryside life. You’ve got Sherborne Abbey and Sherborne Castle for some history. It’s perfect for city-weary folks seeking tranquillity.

Lyme Regis: This coastal town is a gem on the coast. Sandy beaches, remarkable cliffs, and the famous Cobb and harbour. Nature lovers and beach bums adore it. The Jurassic Coast views are unreal. If you want a laid-back, beachy vibe to escape the city craziness, this is it.

Somerset:

Frome: You must check out Frome. It’s like a creative haven in Somerset. The artsy vibe and excellent indie shops make it a magnet for folks tired of big-city chaos. Frome’s market and arts scene? Top-notch for a chilled-out life.

Somerton: Somerton’s another Somerset star. Peaceful vibes and cosy streets – it’s a haven for those seeking an escape from London’s hustle. The history here is rich, and it’s just got that quintessential English charm. Somerton’s the spot if you want to slow down and embrace a more laid-back life.

Wiltshire:

Salisbury: You have to know about Salisbury in Wiltshire! It’s got this incredible mix of history and a relaxed attitude. The stunning cathedral, welcoming streets, and great schools pull people from the city’s rush. Want to slow down and soak up some history? Salisbury’s where it’s at.

Malmesbury: And then there’s Malmesbury, another hidden gem in Wiltshire. It’s all about peace and small-town charm. The Abbey Gardens, quaint cottages, and leisurely pace make it a perfect escape from London’s chaos. Malmesbury is ideal if you’re into quiet living with a touch of English nostalgia.

Is It Possible to Commute to London for Work?

Do you need to quit your high-flying city job if you want to move to more scenic locations? Not necessarily, as there are options to commute to the capital, but you’ll need to check if it’s feasible when you start house-hunting.

Commuting from these regions to London will have pros and cons, including train ticket prices and the average journey times. To make life easier, we did some of the research for you.

Average season ticket price on train to London: 

  • *Somerset (Bath) – £ 12,708
  • Wiltshire (Swindon) – £11,296
  • Dorset (Bournemouth) – £9,120 

*All based on three return journeys per week; prices calculated here.

Average journey time on the train to London:

We based the above figures on the same central hubs from earlier in this blog. You’ll need to add further costs and timings from smaller train stations when you narrow your house search to specific areas. Also, we have the ticket costs in order of the most expensive first. Similarly, the longest journey times are at the top, with each shorter trip in descending order (single journey times).

It’s necessary to add train travel to any costs you incur as it does represent a significant expense for commuters. However, even a quick glance at our previous cost comparisons indicates that adding these travel costs would still work out cheaper than living in London. That said, it does level things out more, not to mention the inconvenience of spending several hours travelling.

When Do You Start Planning the Move?

Planning your move can be manageable. You can make the process more manageable with the proper timeline and some handy tips. Here’s a simple breakdown to help you get started:

  1. Start Planning ASAP: Don’t wait—begin your preparations as early as possible.
  2. Create a Moving Checklist: Use one as a template and adjust it to fit your specific needs.
  3. Update Your Address: List everyone and everywhere you need to notify of your address change.
  4. Get Multiple Moving Quotes: Gather estimates from at least three moving companies to make an informed choice.
  5. Use the House Selling Timeline: On average, selling a house takes 12 to 21 weeks, so keep this in mind.
  6. Week-by-Week Task Assignments: Create a timeline on a blank calendar to help you stay on track.

This simple plan will help you navigate your move efficiently, reducing stress. By following these steps, you can ensure a smoother transition to your new home.

Finding the Right Removals Service and No-Obligation Quotes

Johnson’s Removals offers a range of removal packages for people moving to Dorset, Somerset, or Wiltshire. Having more service choices is the foundation of our customer care focus. That’s why we have several vehicles of various sizes, meaning we can undertake almost any removal job. We aim to make your relocation as affordable and efficient as possible.

Our Man & Van service is ideal for relocation if you have fewer possessions that don’t require a bigger van. The man with a van vehicle is usually the choice for inter-town relocations. The smaller vans can handle the rural countryside roads well, even with a full load. And it’s easier to change routes to avoid congestion or roadworks.

We recommend our Home Removals service for people relocating from three-bed houses (and upwards) with lots of furniture and appliances. This comes with using a larger vehicle and more team members to complete the job. We suggest this service because we can get everything done in one journey.

When situations arise, such as gaps in moving dates, we have storage units at our depot. With prices starting at just £14 per week, you won’t find cheaper storage in Dorset, Somerset, or Wiltshire. And we have a variety of storage unit sizes available. Furthermore, you won’t have to worry about long contract lengths and can store for as long as needed.

Johnson’s Removals – Excellent Customer Service and Affordable Prices

Johnson’s Removals is the number one removal company in Dorset, Somerset, or Wiltshire because of our commitment to customer service. Every job is important for us, no matter how big or small. We bring the same level of expertise and professionalism to every task we sign up for. We had to work hard to become the area’s best removals and storage provider, and we won’t lower our standards.

At Johnson’s, we often receive referrals from satisfied customers who recommend us to friends and family. There is no better feeling than speaking to a new customer and hearing them say they made contact because of a positive referral. It makes our job even more satisfying, and we know we’re on the right track.

The Johnson’s team can relocate you or your business anywhere in Dorset, Somerset, or Wiltshire. Additionally, we cater to customers moving to another part of the UK or overseas. For this purpose, we work with the Master Removers Group – an elite collective of partner companies with depots all over the UK.

If your upcoming move is from London to Dorset, Somerset, or Wiltshire, you can get the same high standard at cheaper rates. Contact us today, and we’ll discuss our removals and storage services.