FTB in London - which areas to focus on?

WagathaChristie

Hi all, 

FTB in my mid thirties looking to buy in London and very grateful for all your thoughts on the best course of action here. 

On the plus side, I’m a first time buyer, so I’m lucky to be in a flexible and free position as I’m not looking to sell a place of my own. 

On the flipside, an absolute dealbreaker for me is I’m after a freehold house and I really need to be close to good transport links (at most 10 mins walk away) and would prefer not to go any further than zone 4 if possible, and my absolute top budget is £650k.

I’ve looked at south London so far mainly, as it’s a good commute for me. Been looking in Streatham Common for a good few years now and I think I’m priced out of it unfortunately. Now looking in South Norwood and like the look of it, but haven’t seen anything I’ve liked that much yet and have heard it can be pretty sketchy and a dangerous. 

Any advice gratefully appreciated on whether I should stick with looking in S Norwood or whether there are better areas in budget I could consider? This is the first time I’ve been looking at this time of year, and it seems like more stock will hit the market in Feb/March, so shall I hold on until then? This is the biggest purchase I’ll ever make, so I want to go into it with my eyes open and not regret it! 

Thanks!!

Emmia

Have you looked at Catford? I know several people who've moved there in the last couple of years.

The truth is North London is better served with transport than South London, but there are price implications - stretching your travel time a little might also help. If you're commuting in, where do you need to get to, and how long are you willing to spend on the tube/train/bus as that may dictate your search area somewhat.

strawb_shortcake

My friend's son bought a house in Newham, I don't know the area myself, but they felt it was an upcoming area. He was only 19/20 when he bought, whilst I suspect he had lots of help from parents I think his budget was  much less than yours.

bouicca21

Something like this? Short walk to Norwood junction, 32 mins to Victoria?
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/156480986#/?channel=RES_BUY

but you’d definitely know every time Palace scored a goal.

Albermarle

Why do you keep posting multiple threads asking the same questions ?

geordiejon

bouicca21 said:

Something like this? Short walk to Norwood junction, 32 mins to Victoria?
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/156480986#/?channel=RES_BUY

but you’d definitely know every time Palace scored a goal.

pretty quiet then 

Rumana03

strawb_shortcake said:

My friend's son bought a house in Newham, I don't know the area myself, but they felt it was an upcoming area. He was only 19/20 when he bought, whilst I suspect he had lots of help from parents I think his budget was  much less than yours.

I wouldn't recommend Newham & my property is in Newham. The area still has a long way to go before it becomes good. The only pros is that Stratford is there and has amazing transport links & there is a lot to do there. Crime is high in the area. 

The OP has a decent amount of money & Newham is usually an area people purchase in if they have a lower budget.

arthurdick

Rumana03 said:

strawb_shortcake said:

My friend's son bought a house in Newham, I don't know the area myself, but they felt it was an upcoming area. He was only 19/20 when he bought, whilst I suspect he had lots of help from parents I think his budget was  much less than yours.

I wouldn't recommend Newham & my property is in Newham. The area still has a long way to go before it becomes good. The only pros is that Stratford is there and has amazing transport links & there is a lot to do there. Crime is high in the area. 

The OP has a decent amount of money & Newham is usually an area people purchase in if they have a lower budget.

I do agree with that, I was born and brought up in Stratford in the 60's, moved away when I was 10 because my mum and dad wanted the other side of the water.  Recently, the last couple of years I have been going over to Stratford for a few beers to see what it is now like, sitting outside having a beer in Stratford  by the church, you really get to see what it is like, even though not too bad, it is not too good either, it is a place you think ain't too bad during the day but could be less ok after dark.. The same could be said for Lewisham, even though I go to Lewisham a few times a week..

I have just had a look on Rightmove 1 mile radius of Blackheath, and I was quite surprised that there are Freehold houses in much better areas than Newham and Norwood.  For a budget of £650K,  there are places in SE10, SE12, SE9,  and SE13,  all of those areas feel much safer than most places around Newham.   The surprising ones were  being in Greenwich, I didn't think I would find places in SE10 for that budget.  Brockley area  could be ok too but I don't really know the area that much.

Greenwich, Lee,. Charlton,  Plumstead Common,  Hither green, and  Brockley are all ok for transport. 

arthurdick

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/157174208#/?channel=RES_BUY
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/153258815#/?channel=RES_BUY
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/153948251#/media?id=media0&ref=photoCollage&channel=RES_BUY
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/150492644#/?channel=RES_BUY
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/156421676#/?channel=RES_BUY

bouicca21

From the other threads I think OP needs to be on a line into Victoria, Greenwich etc go into Charing x.  Plumstead Common has the additional problem of being a bus ride/longish walk to a station which adds considerably to the journey time.  

MysteryMe

My sister has lived in Lee S12 for many years, I stayed with her for a while and it seemed fine, Hither Green is next door and that's fine too. Compared to areas I know in East London, the  transport links are not great, no tube just an overland rail service and the trains can be crowded but that was pre pandemic so might be different now. You can get a bus to Lewisham and get the DLR.

I was brought up in Newham, very hit and miss. There are pockets that seem nice enough, my old road near Plashet Park has undergone some gentrification last time I looked but the borough is one of the most deprived areas in the country and there are areas I definitely wouldn't be wandering around at night.