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Where to live in London?

49 replies

Honest1 · 24/02/2013 16:35

Hi,

DP and myself have started to look to buy a place in London. Budget is around 600k - Though we can spend a bit more if required. We both need to commute to the city, and are looking for a minimum of 2 bedrooms. We've spent the last 5 years living in and around London Bridge. We love it here, but it seems unrealistic to find a suitable flat. We currently don't have any children, but hopefully this will change in a few years (at least 2/3!).

The problem we're finding is where we'd like to live!
Currently I have few suggestions, but would like opinions on these said areas and any other areas to consider. We are quite commute sensitive and want to stay in "london" but don't want an excessive commute ~30 mins would be ideal.

Crouch End/Stroud Green - Has the overground into Moorgate, though no tube. Only wandered round once and it seemed quite friendly, lots of kids at the park, which I will take as a good sign!

between clapham common and wandsworth common - Seems good for primary schools. Not keen on the northern line commute.

wandsworth town/earlsfield - On the overground network and appears to be quite leafy.

Any suggestions on areas/particular roads would be much appreciated. At this point I'm trying to research many areas, to understand what people think who actually live there.

Many thanks

OP posts:
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tak1ngchances · 24/02/2013 16:39

I live in Wandsworth, nr WW Town. V good for commuting into London, plenty of nice places to eat/have a drink. Huge green spaces plus a massive shopping centre with cinema etc. It is mixed though. You'll be on a road of £1 million houses then turn a corner and be in a dodgy road. Maybe that's just London though

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MrsHowardRoark · 24/02/2013 16:47

Have a look at Stoke Newington. Loads going on, flats within your price range, some really pretty parts and although the commute would mainly be by bus or bike it is literally down the road from the City. I used to cycle in 20 minutes.

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legalalien · 24/02/2013 16:48

Key question, are you buying on a 5 year basis, or are primary school catchments relevant? I say east dulwich or herne hill.

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happyAvocado · 24/02/2013 16:52

have you got kids, how old ar they?

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legalalien · 24/02/2013 16:54
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legalalien · 24/02/2013 16:54
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forevergreek · 24/02/2013 16:55

Wimbledon?

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islingtongirl · 24/02/2013 17:01

I live in Islington (N1) and work in the city and me and OH love it here. Ive lived here for about 4 years, bought a flat back then near Sadlers Wells back in 2008 and late last year sold that and bought just off Essex rd. I really like the housing stock here, nice period terraces if thats the sort of thing you like, decent amount of green space and everything you need on Upper St. Takes 15 mins on bus max for me to get to Monument, and about 35-40 mins if I walk.

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islingtongirl · 24/02/2013 17:03

Ps am currently pregnant with our first and stayed here with this in mind, good mix of city folk, young people and parents with young kids we have found

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Honest1 · 24/02/2013 17:04

Thank you for the quick replies.

Nothing is set in stone, but we'd like to live in this place for at least 5 - 10 years. So Primary school catchment is a factor.

I will take a look at Stoke Newington. Any particular streets/post codes to centre a search around?

East Dulwich/Herne Hill. Have a friend who used to live in ED and speaks very highly of it. It was very suburban when I visited. Though that could have been just been the time of day/route I took.

Do not have any kids at the moment.

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Southeastdweller · 24/02/2013 17:06

Do you both work in the London Bridge area?

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PureQuintessence · 24/02/2013 17:09

Putney. Barnes.

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Gigondas · 24/02/2013 17:17

Putney or Barnes are nice but I would
Think your budget might be tight for
Anything more than small 3 bed in decent catchment area plus there are issues on primary oversubscription.

Ed is nice but It depends on what you mean as suburban- quite often that goes hand in hand with more young families in the area.

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Turniphead1 · 24/02/2013 17:19

C End/ S Green great for the City. And S green only 10 min walk to Finsbury Pk tube which is super because has both Vic & Picadilly line. 30min drive to West End or London Bridge.

The part of S Green east of S Green Rd is nice - triangle around ridge road/Stapleton hall rd even nicer and a short walk to C End.

For 600k you wouldn't get a house but you'd get a lovely garden maisonette or large flat.

If you do decide on this area pm me if primary school catchments an issue. There are some dead spots that need to be avoided.

HTH.

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Turniphead1 · 24/02/2013 17:22

And obvs you've highlighted the overground into Moorgate which is fab. From either Hornsey or Haringey.

Almost quicker to London bridge is Vic to Euston (not K Cross) and northern line down to L bridge. Due to proximity of platforms.

Putney and Barnes are lovely - but have always been Shock as to why people live there for the City. And all the flight noise would drive me demented.

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MrsDeVere · 24/02/2013 17:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Southwest · 24/02/2013 17:31

I'm not sure what you are looking for?

Something that suits you now?

Ie young commuting couple with no kids

or something to grow into?

remember if you have a dc in 3 yrs primary school is 8 yrs off

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ghoulelocks · 24/02/2013 17:41

In east or north east London with that budget you could have a huge house, or private school fees. Wanstead north Chingford Woodford or Houghton are at least worth looking at.

Mrsdevere, sorry but glad to have moved up the road...

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Gigondas · 24/02/2013 17:43

Isn't there a very desirable house with a gym next door to you Mrsdev? Maybe op could offer to buy that.

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MrsDeVere · 24/02/2013 17:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsDeVere · 24/02/2013 17:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Southeastdweller · 24/02/2013 17:50

Just seen that you work in the City.

I would go for Islington for the great transport links, masses of things to do and generally nice atmosphere. I can't recommend specific streets as I never lived there (but have hung around there for years and work nearby) plus it's close to your old haunts in London Bridge. I used to live in Highbury - not as lively as Islington but still quite smart and with two underground stations. Clissold Park is nearby, as is Stokey. My road was off Highbury Park and I lived it. You could get a good two bedroom flat in either areas.

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daytoday · 24/02/2013 17:59

Go to Crouch End or Alexandra Palace. Outstanding primaries and 3 very good secondaries. Go for a walk in High gate Woods. Alexandra park and countless small parks.

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missismac · 24/02/2013 18:10

I lived for years in Islington (proper - not StokeyN) & then Greenwich. I thank God every day that we moved to East Dulwich when pregnant with PFB (though I took some convincing at the time). Brilliant schools right through to secondary. Brilliant friends, great community (I know everyone who lives in our 50 dwelling street, also check out the thriving & often quoted in the press 'East Dulwich Forum'), lovely housing stock, loads of green space, great transport links (20 mins to LB on the train or scooter - 30 to Waterloo - door to door), great place. Frankly, you'd be mad to live anywhere else if you're planning on having children & want to stay in London (bit of bias creeping in there I admit).

However, maybe don't come here if you're going to look down your nose at us for being "suburban" - at under 4 miles from Big Ben, that won't go down well. Very odd to be looking at Crouch end/Stroud Green/Earlsfield/between the commons, but think that ED is 'suburban' - I don't get that at all?!

Hope you can find whatever it is you're looking for.

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CelticPromise · 24/02/2013 18:12

New Cross Gate. My sister lives there. Transport is brilliant and fast, and there are some really lovely family friendly roads up Telegraph Hill. Handy for Greenwich too.

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