Relocating to London

kmmr

not offended, just mildly amused! My friend got mugged in Wimbledon the other day, so you really cant make assumptions in london. it really changes street by street in some areas.

but happy to help! i love property surfing. what are your absolute must haves? distance to work, or parking (do you really need a car?), sharing?

linuxuk44

deleted post

CautiousWithMoney

South Woodford's a nice area, have you tried there?

BitterAndTwisted

Or Wanstead although I don't know what the commuting would be like from there.

kmmr

not too close to town, but about the right price
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-19008852.html

Nice looking one bedder - but east.
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-34157222.html

Your other options are studios. You say you are 'not alone' - does that mean partner? Child? Pet?
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-19117107.html
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-34213079.html

PasturesNew

Gang maps: https://sites.google.com/site/londonstreetgangs/home/gang-maps

linuxuk44

deleted post

diable

For your budget and for what you want for it you'll be lucky to find anything suitable.

starryshell

That one bedroom that was linked to in Leytonstone is in a decent area of Leytonstone. Around Whipps Cross is fairly ok, but be aware that the streets can change very, very quickly.

Try and spend a lot of time in an area where you find a flat if it is in east London before you sign on the dotted line. Even a trip to the local grocery store and a coffee nearby will give you a good idea of what it is like in that area.

kmmr

People feel that certain areas are 'no go' zones, when in reality huge numbers of average non-gang, non-violent people live in every single part of London. The average salary is still £30k, and so the average person doesn't live in Holland Park! We do all have our prejudices though. I wouldn't want to live in a lot of the council estates around, say, Shadwell, and yet two streets south you get into Wapping which has some really nice areas.

In relation to gangs, they are generally uninterested in you! There are some very sad accidents, but I believe the vast majority of gang crimes are between themselves, and the rest of us live our quiet lives around them.

However, in some areas the council houses are nice! The think with council houses is that they are designed for people to live in as flats, rather than conversions, so they tend to have better more spacious layouts than some conversions. As starryshell says, you need to find a flat, and then walk around the area to see what it is like. Probably a good idea to see what it is like on a Saturday night and other times. I'd also suggest getting a six month lease, or one with a break clause so you can get out of there if needed. 6 months flies by in reality.

Leyton/Leytonstone, and Stratford I think I really strong areas. They are on the central line which gives you very quick access to the city, the new Westfield will soon open and the Olympics will bring a real buzz for the next 18 months. I lived there last year, and it's not always pretty, but it's safe, easy parking and in some ways a nice little community feel. I have also lived in Whitechapel, Bayswater, Fulham and Brook Green, and they all have their pros and cons.

Good luck - its the best city in the world!