The beautiful market town that's the UK's 'cheapest' just 30 minutes from London

quieter but still in easy reach of the office is something many people living in the capital seek at some stage in their lives. But with competition in the commuter belt fierce finding somewhere that's still affordable can be tricky.

to be had and none more so than the town of Leighton Buzzard in Bedfordshire which has previously been voted one of the "cheapest" towns within 30 minutes of London. The settlement of just over 40,000 gives off a charming county town vibe, despite being only a few miles from busier Luton.

According to office rating website the town "is a fantastic choice for commuters who appreciate a charming, close-knit community while still being within easy reach of London" and it also boasts house prices which hover around £315,680 for a terraced property. Overall houses sell for an average of £362,315, according to RightMove, a significantly cheaper price tag than the £683,827 mean amount for a London pad.

What makes Leighton Buzzard stand out is the excellent transport links, especially with the faster trains able to get you into central London in just 30 minutes. The Trainline booking website says there are around 88 trains per day running between Leighton Buzzard and London Euston, which usually take 47 minutes to complete the 35 miles (57 km) journey but can take as little as 30 minutes on the fastest services.

For those who love to plan ahead, a ticket from Leighton Buzzard to London can from as little as £11.50 when you book in advance and travelling Off-Peak or using a Railcard can also help you save.

Of course there are also options to drive into London using the M1, or even the M40 which is also quite close to the town. And for those who prefer a very much more sedate pace, the Grand Union Canal runs through the area so a canal boat could be an option for people not in a hurry.

Australians Ana and George Klappas recently moved to the development in the area with their family.

Mr Klappas said: "With both children in great, local schools, and fantastic transport links into London and Milton Keynes to visit friends and family, we're so comfortable here.

"Everything is so clean, and it has a fantastic family-friendly atmosphere. There are a few young families at Clipstone and it's nice to all be going through life together at the same time."

Mr Klappas added that he was attracted to the new-build development because of savings on energy bills from more efficient homes.

Marc Woolfe, Director of Sales and Marketing at Barratt David Wilson North Thames, said: "We have such a wonderful community growing here at Clipstone Park and its clear to see that energy efficiency it at the heart of it."