London areas for 2 bed, 200k budget

abankerbutnotafatcat

sarah3585 wrote: »

We have decided to look even further South on my next visit and go to South Croydon as well as E.Croydon. Focusing on places around S.Croydon Station and Purley Oaks. I've heard nice things about Purley and that the S.Croydon is the 'nicest' part.

On rightmove it seems we can get a 2 bed with a private garden, which I would love. The trade off being about a 40 min commute for my OH and the travel costs from zone 5 or 6.

Hi Sarah, thanks for keeping us up to date. I have a friend from Sydenham, he's lived there his whole life. I think he likes it and would buy there if he could afford it but he does say it sometimes has an urban edge but nothing he feels threatened by and that's to be expected in any big city. He also says that there aren't many eating out options but there are other areas close by. I'll ask him for any tips.

I do think you're approaching this very sensibly - investing the leg work and time.

Yes, South Croydon (town)/ South of Croydon borough (Purley/Coulsdon) are nice areas but you are getting into zone 6 with the latter but they are lovely, leafy surburban areas but will be pricier as well and you would be quite a long way out of London (Coulsdon runs down to the M25) in the 'wrong' direction for Islington. I thought East Croydon was a good bet as it has such good transport links that if the OH changes job location or you get a job you'd be able to get to most places (including the South Coast and Gatwick and Luton Airports) really easily from there.

aliama

abankerbutnotafatcat wrote: »

Hi Sarah, thanks for keeping us up to date. I have a friend from Sydenham, he's lived there his whole life. I think he likes it and would buy there if he could afford it but he does say it sometimes has an urban edge but nothing he feels threatened by and that's to be expected in any big city. He also says that there aren't many eating out options but there are other areas close by. I'll ask him for any tips.

I do think you're approaching this very sensibly - investing the leg work and time.

Yes, South Croydon (town)/ South of Croydon borough (Purley/Coulsdon) are nice areas but you are getting into zone 6 with the latter but they are lovely, leafy surburban areas but will be pricier as well and you would be quite a long way out of London (Coulsdon runs down to the M25) in the 'wrong' direction for Islington. I thought East Croydon was a good bet as it has such good transport links that if the OH changes job location or you get a job you'd be able to get to most places (including the South Coast and Gatwick and Luton Airports) really easily from there.

I live in Coulsdon. The transport links into central London are actually pretty good -- half an hour into London Bridge from Coulsdon South, and from there it's a straight hop onto the Northern Line (and when the new Westfield is built a direct journey there too). The area is also due for regeneration.

abankerbutnotafatcat

aliama wrote: »

I live in Coulsdon. The transport links into central London are actually pretty good -- half an hour into London Bridge from Coulsdon South, and from there it's a straight hop onto the Northern Line (and when the new Westfield is built a direct journey there too). The area is also due for regeneration.

I know, I live a few stops south on the same line and I'm a big fan of Coulsdon. But OP is looking to travel to Angel (yes, Northern line so you could change at LB) and I was pointing out that there may be better options for her than zone 6, south.

aliama

Soundgirlrocks wrote: »

You would struggle to get a two bed in South Wimbledon for the budget.

I think the OP mentioned considering a one-bed in Crystal Palace, so perhaps it's something they would be willing to compromise on. Rather than South Wimbledon though, I'd suggest Colliers Wood. I lived there before moving to Coulsdon and while I love the area I live now, I do miss the easy links to shops, the proximity of the hospital, Wimbledon town centre, and the Northern line. Lots of expansive green areas, Dean City Farm, easy walk into Tooting for the shops there. It's a nicer area than South Wimbledon imo and it has its own library.

It would have to be a 1-bed, I think, but the area is due for a regeneration so could be a smart place to buy.

aliama

abankerbutnotafatcat wrote: »

I know, I live a few stops south on the same line and I'm a big fan of Coulsdon. But OP is looking to travel to Angel (yes, Northern line so you could change at LB) and I was pointing out that there may be better options for her than zone 6, south.

Fair enough and I think you're probably right about that.

sarah3585

Firstly I'd like to thank everyone for their replies.

We really are looking for a 2 bed, the area would have to really knock us out to consider a 1 bed. I plan to be working from home so really need the second room as a study and I think I'd go mad in a really small space.

E.Croydon travel links do look better than the South. But the South seems to be just 8 mins more, not as frequent but still v good. We were thinking somewhere between Purley Oaks and S.Croydon station so my OH can walk to S.Croydon to stay in zone 5. 23 mins to London Bridge then 15 min tube to the Angel.

From looking on Rightmove I got the impression we could get more for our money in S.Croydon than the East? 2 bed with garden maybe.

We have a house rabbit, so I'd love to be able to introduce her to some grass, if we could squeeze some outdoor space into our budget.

We will visit both places regardless, but it's good to be as clued up as possible.

GreenSheep

Used to live in North Cheam (SM3).
Getting to Morden is very easy on bus and nice area.

And nice 2 bed places are 200k there!

woodenman

I'd say you get more for your money in the East than the South of Croydon - especially if you start going into Addiscombe. I also found that although there were some 2-bed places in the South around my price-point they tended to have rooms smaller than I would have liked. I also liked Waddon when I was looking around, though you'd need to either take the tram to E Croydon to get the fast trains or live with the stopping suburban trains via W Croydon.

Norwood Junction / SE25 is also good and cheap - I recently moved from rented accomodation there. Zone 4 and only 15 mins to London Bridge (4 fast trains an hour). I would have happily bought there, but there wasn't anything that struck me in my budget when I bought. It's not got much nightlife or anything too fancy in the area, but that's what Crystal Palace/fast trains to London Bridge are for. The South Norwood lakes side of the train tracks is nicer than the Country Park side, though.

I ended up buying in Thornton Heath - to be honest I prefer SE25/E Croydon or Addiscombe as areas, but I was more interested in the property than the location. It's also very cheap (got a 2-and-a-bit bed maisonette with garden for under £200k) but you're on a slower 25-min train to Victoria rather than a fast 1-2 stop train to London Bridge.

Streatham/Norbury could also be potential areas to look at - more pricey than the CR set - probably more in line with Anerley-Crystal Palace. They feel more 'London-y' than some of the other areas. I think you'll be looking at flats rather than houses for your price-point in these areas, though.

abankerbutnotafatcat

South Croydon has some nice restaurants on the west side of the railway line so has its own little social hub. I'll see if I can send some links (just getting into LB now for work!)

BigG10

How about this...

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-23879250.html

Not too far from Twickenham station (15 min walk). Then 15 min train ride to Waterloo.

Twickenham is lovely. This is twickenham Isleworth borders - hence the price. We looked at this property in 2008 and it was quite big. Looks like they have done a lot of work on it!

I know Twickenham may not be the area you want but still...lots of lovely restaurants etc in Twickenham. Or there is a 2 bed flat in a purpose built block closer to Twickenham - however its on at 219,000 but has been for a while so you could negotiate.