Where to buy in London?

cupid_s

Hi all,
I am looking for somewhere to buy in London, and really have no idea where to start. The only areas I know well are around SW (Fulham, Hammersmith, Putney, Wandsworth, Clapham) and they are lovely but I can’t afford to live there.

I would like a commute of 40 minutes or less to Euston Square/Warren Street, so somewhere on the Victoria, Northern, Hammersmith and City, Metropolitan or Circle lines would be perfect.

I have a budget of 500k, which sounds loads to me having moved from the North, but I absolutely need at least 3 bedrooms and some outside space (communal grounds is fine) and it's not easy finding anything more than a 2-bed flat for that amount.

Can anyone suggest anywhere? I have never lived in the greatest areas so I’m happy to buy in an area that’s a little rough around the edges. Just nowhere that would be classed as unsafe.

Thanks

movilogo

With that much budget, you will get something easily in North [eg Hendon] or West London [eg Harrow]. In general, N & W London are better than S & E London.

cupid_s

Is Hendon ok? I've heard bad things about it and did pass through there recently and it looked very run-down. I can't imagine I'd feel safe there.

I have considered Harrow but there are still very few properties there for less than 500k, and those that are available aren't suitable.

ConfusedofYorkshire

Nothing wrong with south east London! But they do say you're either a north or the river or south type person. Personally, I never liked north London.

Forest hill and sydenham might be worth looking at. It would be a landline followed by tube though. Unless things have changed since I lived there.

Greenwich is nice but not sure about budget.

How about Hemel Hempstead? You can be at euston station in 26 minutes from there.

benjus

Generally SE London is the cheapest part of the city (although prices are rapidly catching up with the rest of the city). It's true that there are more nice areas to the North and West, but those areas tend to be at silly prices now.

I'd say that if you're looking at the more run-down parts of North/West London, you might be better off considering nicer parts of South/East London - e.g. you could just about get a 3 bed place with some outside space in Blackheath (which is a genuinely nice area) for £500k - although you'd probably be looking at a flat for that price. Commute would be about 40 minutes from Blackheath station (train to London Bridge, then Northern Line).

katejo

cupid_s wrote: »

Hi all,
I am looking for somewhere to buy in London, and really have no idea where to start. The only areas I know well are around SW (Fulham, Hammersmith, Putney, Wandsworth, Clapham) and they are lovely but I can’t afford to live there.

I would like a commute of 40 minutes or less to Euston Square/Warren Street, so somewhere on the Victoria, Northern, Hammersmith and City, Metropolitan or Circle lines would be perfect.

I have a budget of 500k, which sounds loads to me having moved from the North, but I absolutely need at least 3 bedrooms and some outside space (communal grounds is fine) and it's not easy finding anything more than a 2-bed flat for that amount.

Can anyone suggest anywhere? I have never lived in the greatest areas so I’m happy to buy in an area that’s a little rough around the edges. Just nowhere that would be classed as unsafe.

Thanks

There are 3 bedroom houses with gardens in Walthamstow for around 360-450 K. I have a 2-3 bedroom terrace there. It is gradually improving.

Rodders53

Around 40 mins on the Met line into Baker Street... and another two stops to Euston Sq. would get you out to Watford/Croxley/Rickmansworth areas. Semi-fast trains by-pass some intermediate stops. Outside zone 6 so a bit more expensive commute.

Watford area also has the option of fast mainline into Euston.

Even though those areas can be expensive, there are still some very nice homes within your budget in the nice parts of that area.

I'm told the new Met trains are nicer (air conditioned and better suspension) than when I commuted from my West Watford, North Watford and Croxley Green homes into central and west London for some 26 years.

browneyedbazzi

Have you thought about areas to the south like Winbledon, Raynes Park and Worcester Park? House prices are a bit more affordable as you move south but transport into the city is quite good and there are some quite nice areas where crime/safety isn't a big issue.

AndyGuil

Have a look at Finchley.

cupid_s

Thanks everyone. This is really helpful.

I hear such mixed things about Walthamstow, but it would only be a 25 minute commute from Walthamstow central and I know I could get something which is a decent size. It’s definitely somewhere I’ll try to scope out, and spend some time there to see what it’s like.

My aunt used to live in Blackheath and she recommended there, but although it’s only about 45 minutes from the station to my work, unless I am living very close to Blackheath station (which I can’t afford – even if I’m only looking at flats) the commute is nearer to an hour which is just not feasible for me. I think with my work being the North side it just doesn’t make sense to be living in SE.

Commute cost is another problem. I could probably just about afford zone 6 but once my OH moves in with me, we would be spending 7k a year to commute from somewhere like Hemel Hempstead and with commute costs like that, the amount we could afford to take out on mortgage would drop dramatically.

I would love to live somewhere like Wimbledon, but it is well out of budget for me and is much more of a commute than I currently do. My best friend currently lives in Worcester Park actually so I’ve spent a bit of time there and you can get a decent amount for your money and the commute isn’t that expensive. She was trying to convince me to buy there or in Raynes Park but she has recently started work in the building next door to me and her commute is 1hr10 and after doing that for only a month she is looking to move somewhere closer. I'd definitely rather compromise slightly on size and location to have a decent commute.

Andy – any part of Finchley in particular (is East Finchley much better than around Finchley central or West?)

hazyjo

Was going to suggest Walthamstow too. Or you could go slightly further out to Highams Park or Chingford (3 and 4 stops (respectively) further on the overheads from Walthamstow).

Still a very quick journey.

I'm in Chingford and love it - and nights out near Kings X are fantastic for me. Home in no time!

Jx