Moving to London - renting advice

jobseeker2018

I have a new job in London based in Canary Wharf.

Looking for a 1 bedroom flat/studio (yes, it will take up a lot of my wages but I can afford it - I might share in future once I get to know people).

Any suggestions on what areas to look at (and avoid)?

At the moment thinking:
Lewisham/Deptford/Greenwich
Isle of Dogs
Bow/Poplar
Anywhere else on the DLR
West Ham/Plaistow/East Ham/Barking/Dagenham (East London seems cheaper than other areas)

Any other advice? It is my first time living in London.


The sites I have been looking on are:
Rightmove
Gumtree
Spareroom
Openrent


Any other good sites? Is it better to go and speak to agents directly (properties seem to get let quickly)

csgohan4

Isle of Dogs is nice, rented an apartment by the Thames, 1 bed for 1.4k PCM a few years ago, had to move out due to the rent taking a large chunk of the salary.


DLR is a nicer journey in imo


Avoid Gumtree, too many scams

jonnygee2

West Ham/Plaistow/East Ham/Barking/Dagenham (East London seems cheaper than other areas)

These areas are either a bit rough, or there's nothing in them. West Ham is alright.

Look for somewhere close to both the center and your workplace, ideally about 20 mins from each. Limehouse, Shadwell, Bow, Mile End and Stratford might work out better for you.

boliston

the google maps 'transit' overlay is quite handy for planning a commutable rental - stratford looks like good in terms of transport https://www.google.com/maps/place/London/@51.5209406,0.0079469,14z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x47d8a00baf21de75:0x52963a5addd52a99!8m2!3d51.5073509!4d-0.1277583!5m1!1e2

boliston

jonnygee2 wrote: »

These areas are either a bit rough, or there's nothing in them. West Ham is alright.

Look for somewhere close to both the center and your workplace, ideally about 20 mins from each. Limehouse, Shadwell, Bow, Mile End and Stratford might work out better for you.

West ham does not look too good on street map - East ham seems to have a lot more in terms of local shops & services although it's an extra change on the tube

skint_chick

Bow north of Mile End Road up to the canal is really nice IMO - Bromley by Bow is a bit depressing as there's only a couple of shops open on the High Street these days and apart from the big Tesco next to the A12 there's nothing there. Poplar high street area is OK - I like Chrisp Street market and it's a bit cheaper but nightlife wise it's not that exciting.

Would avoid West Ham etc as it's rougher and further from work and safer green spaces. Stratford is also a bit rough around the edges - the last 2 times I've been out and about there I've seen a knife fight and a mugging.

I would think about Greenwich, although it's pricier than Limehouse etc - you could easily cycle to work if you were close enough to the river, lots of green spaces and good shops and nightlife/eating out.

hazyjo

jobseeker2018 wrote: »

West Ham/Plaistow/East Ham/Barking/Dagenham (East London seems cheaper than other areas)

Wouldn't touch any of them with a barge pole. Each to their own though.

Greenwich is obviously the nicest out of that selection.

bouicca21

Deptford is quite nice nowadays, good transport, not far from Greenwich. I think it might be preferable to Lewisham itself, but you need to have a look round to see what sorts of area attracts you. I suspect Greenwich is more expensive, but of course it has loads of restaurants, cafes, pubs, shops, the park and the Naval College, as well as its own micro brewery.

Shdeez

What is your budget? If you live close enough to walk you save c. £100pcm on transport so worth considering in context of your budget.

Sharing is not a bad idea imo even if you don’t know them initially. Just look for an en-suite to avoid morning drama.

goodwithsaving

You could explore Croydon way (overground) and change at Canada Water for the Jubilee. Does get a bit busy during rush hour though. Or Surrey Quays (although the area around it isn't the nicest. But there's no getting away from that in London).
Or consider the boat using the Thames Clipper service. Then you could look to Putney, Wandsworth etc which are nicer, and have a more pleasant commute.

Toucan_toucan

I know the Deptford/Lewisham/Greenwich area very well and really like it. Easy for getting to Canary Wharf and in the case the DLR breaks you've got the Jubilee/Overground option (to New Cross or New Cross Gate and then a walk or a bus) or you can walk through the foot tunnel from Island Gardens to Greenwich (it comes out by the Cutty Sark). The DLR doesn't break down often, but it's definitely best to have a backup plan!

There's loads of newbuild stuff in Lewisham and Deptford, less so in Greenwich, if you'd prefer a new flat.