SE London/North Kent - Where To Buy?

DullGreyGuy

MaiTai said:

Have been trawling Rightmove for the past few weeks and the lack of desirable bungalows is a little bit tragic unless you’re feeling the 1930’s vibes! Hopefully things will pick up as Spring approaches!

Its the cost of land in London, and the more central you get the more exacerbated the issue becomes. Almost all the big houses in this area have gone and been replaced with lowrise blocks of flats which isnt surprising when they can get £600k for a tiny 2 bed flat as a new build. In fact the not too far away tesco has given up half its carpark and a 35 story building is going in there with studios starting at £650k.

There is only one big house left and with its grade 2 listing even for its gates its relatively cheap at £4.7m compared to what you could get were you able to knock it down and put flats up.

As such, dont get too many bungalows around here. 

As you dont want to reveal your budget you are going to have to come down... Chiselhurst is nice but you are going to be talking £800k+ for a relatively small place. Your money will go further in the more town like Bromley with the same budget getting a 130m2 building (but less overall plot)

ReadingTim said:
there are currently 216 bungalows listed on rightmove within a 5 mile radius of Sidcup, so it's not going to take that long to look through them all,

And that includes a lot of semi and terrace properties so if the OP is strong on the detached front it will take even less time.

moneysaver1978

So sorry for your loss.

Is an apartment an option for you or are you sticking to your desire for a bungalow? Given you are not sure of the areas, it might be worth considering in renting first to get a feel of the area(s).

bouicca21

Without knowing the budget it is almost impossible to make recommendations.  Apart from independent shops and cafes what else is important? How will OP travel to see son? Being within 5 miles of Sidcup isn’t necessarily going to make visiting easy.  It’s a classic about London that travelling  tends to depend on going into London rather than round it.  I live within the target area but it would take me nearly an hour and several buses or a train ride plus buses to get to Sidcup by public transport or half an hour if traffic is light to drive there.  Will OP want to be visiting galleries theatres exhibitions and cinemas in central London?

Tiglet2

This bungalow looks very nice, unfortunately STC, that corridor would have no problem accommodating a wheelchair in later life!

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/129667244#/?channel=RES_BUY

baser999

MaiTai said:

baser999 said:

Tried Tatsfield? Or Keston, Farnborough perhaps. Would give you the rural setting you’re probably used to, with easy access to Bromley, main line rail links and the M25.
You say you’re moving to be nearer family, which area are they in?

I suspect these places may be a little further afield than I wanted as I want to be close to my son and his family to be on hand for Nanna duties when required!

They are currently renting in Sidcup and are looking to buy somewhere within my search area.I very much doubt they will stray further as the children are happy and settled in their new school.

Tatsfield is only about 13 miles, 30 minutes, to Sidcup