Having called this corner of Buckinghamshire home since my school days, first in Beaconsfield and now in Amersham, I've witnessed families engage in what can only be described as a property Hunger Games, hopping between villages in pursuit of the 'perfect' postcode. The truth is, once you leave the Chilterns or South Buckinghamshire, returning becomes a near-impossible financial challenge, with soaring prices locking many out for good. It's no surprise, then, that people obsess over getting it right the first time, chasing the most desirable and luxurious locations.
Redefining Luxury Beyond Material Wealth
As the founder of a luxury lifestyle magazine, The Life of Luxury, I frequently ponder the true meaning of the word. Here's the unvarnished truth: luxury isn't about seven-bedroom houses, electric gates, or the number of Range Rovers on your driveway. Real luxury lies in the coffee shop that remembers your order, the florist who knows your name, and a high street buzzing with life on a Sunday morning. This perspective makes me chuckle when those glossy 'Best Places to Live' lists are published annually, featuring the same predictable names like Beaconsfield and Gerrards Cross as the ultimate dream destinations. Having walked through these towns for years, I can't help but question their soulfulness amidst their grandeur.
The Glossy-But-Soulless Postcodes
Beaconsfield stands as the quintessential 'I've made it' postcode, yet it often feels like a film set after everyone has gone home. Big houses and gates dominate, but the high street has lost its former vibrancy. Where Christmas shopping queues and bustling butchers once thrived, now there's a noticeable lack of atmosphere, with tinted-window SUVs gliding past before disappearing behind hedges. A telling sign of change emerged in January with the opening of a J D Wetherspoon, which locals initially decried as too downmarket. Ironically, it has become the town's busiest spot, packed with millionaires enjoying £1.99 pints, while older establishments sit half-empty. This shift prompts a deeper question: if a budget pub chain is the only place fostering genuine community interaction, can the postcode truly claim its luxury status?
Gerrards Cross, meanwhile, appears to be experiencing an identity crisis. Once a humblebrag destination with big houses and quiet roads, it has long attracted low-key celebrities thanks to nearby Pinewood Studios. However, the shine has worn thin. The high street feels increasingly sparse as independents vanish and empty shops linger due to unaffordable rents. Adding to the contradiction is its proximity to Slough, with all addresses technically falling under a Slough postcode—a far cry from the luxury narrative sold by estate agents. The town's charm now feels flat, despite its multi-million-pound houses and chaotic jumble sales.
Chalfont St Giles consistently baffles me by topping 'Best Places to Live' lists year after year. Undeniably beautiful with its cottages, village green, and hanging baskets, it offers quintessential charm but little practicality. Beyond a great pub and a lovely bakery, there's almost nothing to do, requiring a car for trains, supermarkets, or even a simple coffee outing. While pretty, it lacks the walkable village life many seek, raising doubts about whether list compilers have truly experienced living there.
The Ones That Actually Feel Like Luxury
Amersham, in contrast, delivers on the commuter belt fantasy. Old Amersham enchants with cobbled streets and Tudor buildings, but the real magic lies in the New Town. On a Saturday morning, parking is a challenge as cafés buzz with queues, tables fill with families, and neighbours greet each other amidst a mix of independent shops and practical stores like Waitrose. Top grammar school catchments and excellent transport links to London add to its appeal, creating a vibrant, lived-in atmosphere that many pricier postcodes have lost.
Winchmore Hill feels like a well-kept secret, with locals whispering its praises to avoid overcrowding. This tiny village boasts winding lanes, hedgerows, and a sense of community where neighbours genuinely care for one another. Children play on the green, and the pub serves as a second living room, offering a slower pace of life reminiscent of Devon or the Cotswolds, yet with London commutable in under an hour.
Great Missenden, home to the Roald Dahl Museum, exudes a storybook charm with winding lanes and cottages, but it remains lived-in rather than touristy. The main drawback is transport, relying solely on the Chiltern line without Tube backup, which increases commuting costs and requires more planning.
Princes Risborough stands out for its lack of postcode peacocking. Here, a high street full of busy independents, bustling cafés, and local shops fosters a genuine sense of community. It attracts a creative crowd, including celebrities like Sienna Miller and Jamiroquai, who blend in quietly rather than flaunting their status. This unpolished, real vibe offers a refreshing contrast to more sterile, affluent towns.
In essence, the most expensive postcode isn't always the one you'd want to call home. True luxury in Buckinghamshire isn't about prestige; it's about finding places where life feels authentic, connected, and genuinely enriching.
