The Most Cruical Help I've Ever Requested (London Flat Renting)

chewmylegoff

wezznco wrote: »

[*]Clapham South (friend reccommended)
[/LIST]
As has been mentioned; living close to Westminster would save a lot in travel costs - which would in turn mean I could stretch to the higher end. Elephant and Castle has been mentioned by friends a lot, but not sure on the area

Forget about clapham south unless you're willing to live in a studio.

I lived in elephant for a couple of years, was fine although with your budget you'd prob be over on old Kent road side which is a dump, but that's the reality of your budget if you want central.

You could think about twickenham, you might get something there and fast train to Waterloo only takes just over 20 mins, but zone 5 so more on travel.

wezznco

Good recommendations once again -

Looked around Clapham, and as stated above; too expensive for a 1 bedroom.

Regarding hospital intranet, I've looked and there're only 5 flats up - all of them 400pcw+.
I'm researching into the hospitality advertised within the hospital.

twickenham is too far out although some nice places - I feel it's a little too far out although I have adjusted my expectations.

There are a lot of flats up around the Elephant & Castle area, Peckham, and Finchley that are within our price range. Anyone know the areas well?

We're looking on rightmove and zoopla -

Thank you for the advice regarding fees.. does anyone have a breakdown of what fees i should expect? And which are usually 'additional' that I can avoid?

Sam

BitterAndTwisted

"No" to Elephant & Castle and a "definitely not" to Peckham! Neither of these areas would be a sensible move for an out-of-towner who wouldn't know these places well.

If you can afford Finchley, rent there. It's quiet and pretty suburban plus it's got half-decent transport links. The main down-side is the Northern Line but that shouldn't be a deal-breaker imo.

mustang1

On that budget, you seriously need to think about cost of accommodation and travel together. You may be able to up your accommodation budget if you are close enough to work to only use the bus or tube. Otherwise you will get somewhere cheaper further out of London with higher travel costs.

Colliers Wood is nice and on the Northern Line (with change to Victoria Line at Stockwell for your other half) and you could get a decent 1 bed flat for about £850-£900 pcm.

As for Agents, each area generally has their own so you'd be best to look on rightmove to get names. Everyone has already said avoid Foxtons though which is the best piece of advice you could ever be given.

Good luck in your hunt.

Soundgirlrocks

I second colliers wood it's nice round here! Travel wise it is a fairly easy cycle into central and it's on the cycle super high way and a night bus that runs all night. I would stay away from elephant and castle I wouldn't feel safe walking around there during the day let alone at night!

neverdespairgirl

Caveat_Mortgagor wrote: »

I'm sorry I have nothing constructive to say...... but it makes me sad that you are willing to pay so much in return for so little!

Glad I'm not in your part of the world paying those prices.

I was thinking of all the places near Westminster he can't afford for that!

neverdespairgirl

wezznco wrote: »

My budget seems to be on the cusp of central living according to rightmove and foxtons websites.

Does anyone have any area suggestions? And/or trustworthy Estate Agent reccommendations?

Primelocation is often better for central London than Rightmove.

Trustworthy EAs? You wish.....

neverdespairgirl

I'd really avoid both the Elephant and Peckham. I'd look at other bits of SE1, though - Old Kent Road, Borough, Bermondsey.

honey9

I second Tooting or Collier's Wood - both have great transport links and it's easy to get to Westminster area. In the interests of disclosure I live in Tooting and work in Victoria (ie the Westminster area) and it takes me about 40min to get in in the mornings, door to door. That's on the tube; alternatively I can get a bus to Balham and then the overland train into Victoria which takes a little less time. Of course this assumes everything's working like it should!!

I'm no longer renting but when we were (until Dec last year) we were paying £1100 a month but that was for a really nice 2-bed flat in Tooting.

They're both pretty safe areas, I've lived here for 11 years and never felt unsafe; you obviously need to take the usual precautions as you would in any part of London though. I wouldn't live in Elephant - one of my friends does and when I go to visit him he has to escort me back to the station!!

pimento

I was born in Bethnal Green and it's 1000% better than it ever used to be. Very gentrified. Not sure of the rent prices these days though.

Wilmot Street is fine and only a step away from the tube.

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-24801764.html