We all know living in London is really expensive, which is why many of us decide to move further out.

Fortunately, there are lots of brilliant places outside the big smoke which are an easy commuting distance into the city.

In some cases you'll end up spending more on travel, but if you use the Tube to get to work then it may not work out much differently in cost. Plus with lower rent and housing costs you could overall end up saving a lot of money.

There's also plenty of other benefits of living outside London - like lovely green spaces, living in a smaller community and being near the sea.

These are our top picks for relatively cheap places to live that are an easy commute to London, in no particular order.

1. Chatham

Chatham in North Kent is a popular place to commute into London from, as it has fast direct links to stations like London Victoria, Blackfriars and London Bridge, with the fastest journey time being 38 minutes.

Property prices are much more affordable whether you're looking to rent or buy - although you will probably want to invest in a season ticket loan - and there are tonnes of other benefits too.

The town boasts a charming riverside and historic buildings - and you're not too far from the sea. Lovely.

Average price to rent a 1 bedroom property*: £652

Average return journey price to central London based on a weekly season ticket**: £10.63

2. High Wycombe

Buckinghamshire might sound super fancy, but there's actually lots of affordable options in places like High Wycombe - and it's got lots to offer.

The journey time takes around half an hour to Marylebone.

The countryside would be on your doorstep as there is plenty of natural beauty to enjoy at the weekends - a refreshing break from the big smoke.

Average price to rent a 1 bedroom property: £761

Average return journey price to central London: £9.17

3. Epping

(Image: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Epping, Essex is on the central line, so you can reach all kinds of central London hotspots quickly.

It's a nice market town with affordable houses, decent shops and the stunning Epping forest on your doorstep.

Average price to rent a 1 bedroom property: £943

Average single Oyster fare at peak time: £5.10 (Daily cap is £12.80 and monthly tickets could save you more money)

4. Sutton

Sutton is technically still in London, although it feels much like a medium-sized town.

It's ideal for families, boasting good schools and bags of green space to enjoy.

Commuters can be at London Victoria within 30 minutes from Sutton.

You'd save some money on your rent or your mortgage while being an easy commuting distance into central London by living in zone 5 - although obviously there are some fairly posh parts of the area.

Average price to rent a 1 bedroom property: £1,034

Average return journey price to central London: £4.55

5. Slough

Slough may not sound immediately appealing to everyone, but there's actually lots of stuff going on there.

There's plenty of restaurants, shops and bars - plus reasonably priced flats to rent or buy.

You can be in Central London in 20 minutes.

Average price to rent a 1 bedroom property: £877

Average return journey price to central London: £6.78

6. Haywards Heath

Haywards Heath is one of the stops on the way from London to Brighton, making you in easy reach of both places.

It takes around 40 minutes to get to Victoria.

It's a fairly small town in itself, but its close to the South Downs and the sea.

Average price to rent a 1 bedroom property: £823

Average return journey price to central London: £10.46

7. Rickmansworth

Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire is near to the end of the Metropolitan Line in zone 7 - so way out of the big smoke.

Houses cost a lot less than in more central zones, and you're close to lovely pubs, places to walk and canals.

Average price to rent a 1 bedroom property: £1,026

Average single Oyster fare at peak time: £5.60 (Daily pay as you go cap is £14.00 and monthly tickets could save you more money)

8. Bromley

Decent-value homes, shops, rated schools and fast trains to all London mainline stations are a winning combination, as young professionals and families are increasingly flocking to the area.

Local stations include Bromley South, Bromley North, Bickley, Sundridge Park, Shortlands and Ravensbourne. Bromley South has 20-minute non-stop Victoria trains.

Average price to rent a 1 bedroom property: £1,036

Average return journey price to central London: £4.57

9. Cheshunt

This Hertfortshire town by the Lee Valley is around half an hour from central London, and has cheaper houses than the city does by a long shot.

It's not too far out of town, being just 12 miles north of Highgate Village and 17 out of central.

Average price to rent a 1 bedroom property: £906

Average return journey price to central London: £5.34

(Image: Getty Images)

10. Shenfield

Shenfield has fast National Rail links to the City - and when the Crossrail is eventually finished your commute will suddenly get even easier.

On the edge of the Essex countryside, Shenfield is a relatively affluent commuter town. However, there are still much more affordable housing options than in London. There are also plenty of schools - making it a popular choice with families.

Average price to rent a 1 bedroom property: £849

Average return journey price to central London: £7.87

11. Epsom

Epsom is a market town in Surrey, with rail links typically getting commuters into central London in around 40 minutes.

There's plenty of parks, local attractions and things to do.

Average price to rent a 1 bedroom property: £1,026

Average return journey price to central London: £5.26

* Rent prices calculated using Home.co.uk data

** Rail prices calculated using National Rail's season ticket calculator, tube prices via TfL's fare calculator.