Check the crew room for adverts.
Crews I know rent rooms in Takely, about a 10 minute bus ride to the airport. Night life is non existent unless you like to watch the grass grow. Bus transportation cost ranges from 90P to 1 pound depending on the bus company. The busses run farely frequently from 04:15 to 00:20 except sundays. A cab ride will run 4.50 which can be split by other passengers equally.
Bishop's Stortford has train service in addition to buses and taxis. More night life in B/S than in Takely.
Other airports with basings have similar transportation as well. Property values are greatly over valued in the UK at this time. May be hard to pay off the mortgage with F/O pay.