Where to buy in London

Kirri

[Deleted User] wrote:

They're affordable, that's all. I've lived in a few areas which are considered quite rough (in London and elsewhere) and in my experience they're usually nowhere near as bad as people imagine. Where I live, the violence that you do hear about is gang-related and only really takes place between rival gangs. If you're not a member of a gang then it just passes you by - it's like people are living in two completely different worlds.

Of course, often when these areas do become popular, prices rise, they become gentrified the 'rough' areas move elsewhere.

I guess so re affordable though having walked through some of those gang infested places at night I could never live there and even then the trouble has spread out into other non gang towns. I just think there can be less crime ridden places in London I'd rather live in than some recommended places in these types of threads - esp if I had a budget of 350k!

demontfort

Reading these posts just reminds me why I have so much disdain for the average London buyer/property owner especially the young professionals. They seem to kid themselves that their miniscule rathole of a flat on yet another bland, dirty, crime ridden London street is worth half a million just because there's an organic butchers and an artist commune/crack den nearby. :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Strapped

sinbad182 wrote: »

Living in the city has more to offer if you're under 40 and can afford somewhere decent area wise though.

Not imo - I used to work in the City but I definitely never wanted to live within London. Not for me at all.

sinbad182

demontfort wrote: »

Reading these posts just reminds me why I have so much disdain for the average London buyer/property owner especially the young professionals. They seem to kid themselves that their miniscule rathole of a flat on yet another bland, dirty, crime ridden London street is worth half a million just because there's an organic butchers and an artist commune/crack den nearby. :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

I'm sure the individuals you describe have just as much disdain for bitter, chip on the shoulder rented slum dwellers from leyton :rotfl:

demontfort

sinbad182 wrote: »

I'm sure the individuals you describe have just as much disdain for bitter, chip on the shoulder rented slum dwellers from leyton :rotfl:

No doubt they do. But I'm soon to become a pwoperty owning slum dweller myself in lovely Leyton, my dream to own a shoebox in ASBO central is coming true.

At which point I'll then feel obliged to start telling everyone that Leyton is an up coming area on the cusp of gentrification, just like happened in Stokie and the Stow. I can tell you about the vibrant array of bistros, michelin starred fried chicken shops and organic creches. Plus wax lyrical about the wonderful pop up street market which sells overpriced rotten fruit blah blah blah

sinbad182

demontfort wrote: »

No doubt they do. But I'm soon to become a pwoperty owning slum dweller myself in lovely Leyton, my dream to own a shoebox in ASBO central is coming true.

At which point I'll then feel obliged to start telling everyone that Leyton is an up coming area on the cusp of gentrification, just like happened in Stokie and the Stow. I can tell you about the vibrant array of bistros, michelin starred fried chicken shops and organic creches. Plus wax lyrical about the wonderful pop up street market which sells overpriced rotten fruit blah blah blah

Who actually does/says this stuff?!

The only place I've heard this nonsense spouted is the property section of the Standard where they are trying to flog some awful Lego lookalike development in places like canning town or Stratford.

Surely normal people will just admit these places are tips, but are necessary to move up the property ladder?

bluedrop

OP, did you look at Bromley / West Wickham / Beckenham / Petts wood / Orpington?

These areas are in London zone4-5. If you choose the area wisely, you will be able to get a nice 3 bed house for that price. Good neighbourhood, good schools and easy commute to London.

olly300

Kirri wrote: »

I guess so re affordable though having walked through some of those gang infested places at night I could never live there and even then the trouble has spread out into other non gang towns. I just think there can be less crime ridden places in London I'd rather live in than some recommended places in these types of threads - esp if I had a budget of 350k!

Your comment reminds me of someone I went out to a club with once in a well-known rough area of London.

He was so frightened of being mugged or stabbed that I'm sure someone from outside the area would have obliged. Due to the shoes he was wearing and the bag he was carrying the locals would worked out he was a waste of time.

newbian

Most claims of London neighborhoods being gang-infested ghettos are completely exaggerated. Compared to other major cities like New York London is very safe. I have lived in some of the most crime-ridden areas of London (Lambeth, Tower Hamlets) and only personally experienced crime once - vandalism.

Stratford and Bow - I wouldn't live there. Mainly because they are unattractive with few green spaces, the local shops are kebab houses/sari stores/cheap off-licenses, and Stratford station is like a horrible maze that takes 15 minutes to get in and out of and forces you past the entrance for Westfield which is always congested.

If you are going into Liverpool St, the suggestion earlier of south London on the Overground line is a good one, getting out at Shoreditch High St which is less than 10 min walk from Liverpool St itself. It now links to Clapham/Denmark Hill as well as south through Crystal Palace and Croydon. A lot of decent value that will evaporate as more people become aware of the new transport links.

Ellie007

For £350k you can get a decent 2 or 3-bed house in Chingford or Highams Park.

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-41608592.html

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-37881019.html

Liverpool St. Station approx 20-25 mins on the overground train, and trains every 15 mins.