Despite London house prices steadying, and even falling in some areas, over the past couple of years, capital prices remain out of reach for many.

For others, a yearning for a quieter life starts to take over, not to mention that fact that houses for sale outside London tend to offer more space for your money.

Those reasons are perhaps why the UK saw a huge 292,000 people leave London between the middle of 2015 and the middle of 2016, opting for a life elsewhere in the country.

That figure was 14% up on the previous decade and the rate of departure for pastures new is showing no signs of slowing down.

But if you are thinking of moving out of the capital, there is the commute back in for work to consider when pondering where to live outside London.

That's where a move to Oxfordshire or Berkshire can pay off.

With great transport links and amazing properties to buy and rent, those counties remain hugely popular with families and younger professionals.

So, let's take a look at three of the best areas for London leavers to put down new roots...

Where to live outside London

Reading, Berkshire

Transport

Trains from London to Berkshire reach Reading in a super-fast 30 minutes, with London Paddington the capital terminus.

However, once Crossrail arrives trains from Reading will go direct to Bond Street (55 minutes), Liverpool Street (61 minutes) and Canary Wharf (67 minutes) meaning comfortable commuters don't have to deal with changes at Paddington.

As well as that, the M4 motorway at Reading is just 40 miles from the west of the capital for those who prefer road to rail.

Houses for sale in Berkshire

If you like your period properties then Reading's Edwardian and Victorian homes will certainly tantalise your tastebuds.

Many are large, detached family homes but traditional rows of terraced properties are also popular alongside the town centre's array of new-build flats and apartments.

House prices in Reading, meanwhile, sit at £421,070 on average, according to Zoopla, in keeping with a town where buoyant employment and superb transport links are all present and correct.

Twyford, Berkshire

Transport

Despite being a village, Twyford station offers commuters direct trains to London Paddington in just 52 minutes.

Moreover, the Crossrail Elizabeth Line will stop at the station later this year meaning direct trains to Bond Street and Tottenham Court Road.

Like Reading, Twyford is also within reach of the M4 into West London for drivers.

Houses for sale in Twyford

Twyford's mix of large detached family homes is flanked by period properties and village cottages.

Property is not cheap, but remains dwarfed by London prices. A semi-detached home will set you back £455,821 on average, with larger detached properties bumping up Twyford's overall average price to £537,514.

Thame, Oxfordshire

Transport

You do need to get back to the capital for work though, so let's not get too carried away with rolling hills and fresh air.

London to Oxfordshire trains from Haddenham & Thame Parkway (two miles from Thame) take just 40 minutes to reach London Marylebone.

On the roads, the M40 links Thame with London in around one hour 20 minutes.

Property for sale in Oxfordshire

Homes in Thame are a real mix of more modern developments close to the M40 and character cottages and Victorian and Georgian properties closer to town.

Period terraces and semis average between £360,00 and £413,000, while Thame's sought-after detached family homes average £614,643.