Areas to buy in North London

NJG_2 · 19 February 2014 at 1:59PM

Myself and my partner are looking to buy a 1-2 bedroom flat in North West London. Our budget is in the £300-350k price range and close proximity to a tube station is vital. We are confident that putting in that money should get us a place in an area that will safely increase in value over the next 3-5 years+.

We are looking primarily at Finchley Central/East in Barnet and Willesden Green in Brent.

Willesden Green seems to be shooting up in value and agents have pressed us to look at Harlesden. Given Harlesden's previous reputation I haven't been keen but given it's proximity to Willesden Green/Queens Park, could this be a place that prices rocket up?

Places in Barnet on the other hand doesn't seem to have as much potential despite Finchley being a very nice area.

With prices going up 8% and in some places more - can anyone advise where the up and coming/smart investment areas of North West London are?

demontfort · 19 February 2014 at 3:21PM

Just buy anything, anyhwere in London and prices are guaranteed to skyrocket. In 5 years Harlesden will look like Knightsbridge I predict prices in London will on average rise 700% in the next 3 years. The only better global investments right now are Tulip bulbs and Enron shares. :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

apple_mac_user · 19 February 2014 at 3:30PM

because walcott does not like harlesden, it means harlesden is not a good choice

AndyGuil · 19 February 2014 at 3:35PM

West Hampstead and Finchley are my top two picks in NW. Golders Green not far behind (close to the stunning Hampsead Heath!). Up and coming in the near future will be Brent Cross & Cricklewood due to the huge regeneration that has just been approved there.

cayennepepper · 19 February 2014 at 3:55PM

I would choose East Finchley or Finchley Central over Willesden Green every time. Finchley's prices have been going up even doing the recession and the new Archer Academy is pushing the prices up even more. The proximity to Muswell Hill and Hampstead make it a very desirable area, IMO from an investment point of view you can't go wrong. Queens Park and West Hampstead are also very nice (not Cricklewood or Brent Cross, I would not live there despite the regeneration but that is just me)

silvercar · 19 February 2014 at 5:36PM

Look at where you want to commute to, which tube line is easiest. Also consider the price of your tube ticket, you are quoting areas that are in very different tube zones that will effect the price you pay and the time you waste commuting.

alberty · 20 February 2014 at 12:55AM

Surely the big decision one can make now is house vs flat. Wembley/Kenton/Harrow is no further from the centre of town than Finchley, and you can currently buy a 3/4 bed house with side garage for the price of a Finchley flat. When london fills up with skyscrapers all the way out to zone 3 (ie Golders Green becomes Soylent Green) that will be a good thing? Also Burnt Oak is very cheap and disgusting now. but its bordered by white hot real estate and will be Peckhamised sooner or later (buy two, buy three).