To think it should be possible to buy a decent place to live in London for £750k?

[Socrates67]

We have been looking at the market for a while now and are ready to pay up to £750k for the right property, but there seems to be nothing available within that price range. Sorry to moan and I know that it's a first world problem, but the prices seem ridiculous.

We would like a 2 bedder in or near WC1/NW1/EC1/SE1, ideally if not in a period building then one that isn't a high rise and with a bit of character and a bit of outside space - balcony, small patio garden or whatever.

Am I being unrealistic? Who can afford these prices? Certainly not most people, I am guessing.

Anyway, rant over and I would be grateful for any advice as to where we might look where we can hopefully achieve what we are looking for without going too far out of the centre. In an ideal world, I would like to be walking distance of theatre land/the south bank. Maybe Bermondsey would be an option, but it seems a bit isolated. Also Lambeth North, but according to the press it is full of gangs.

There are no DC involved in the decision so schools irrelevant, not that I suppose that it makes it any easier......

OP, I defo think sticking to near theatre land and going for a non-period and/or 1 bed flat is a better bet than shoreditch.

We're on the edge of Shoreditch. I wouldn't say we're walking distance to the West End or most theatres tbh, if anything I've become very lazy when it comes to walking short distances as buses are so plentiful! I rarely use the tube though except if I'm going as far west as South Ken/Notting Hill or if I have an appointment/train to catch and can't risk traffic delays. We can get to most places by bus, at any time of day.

Shoreditch is lively and fun and there often are lots of rowdy club goers falling out of bars in the early hours, and holding parties on their rooftop terraces. It's not for everyone, and it's not really family-orientated or community-minded. But there's always lots to do and I like the energy of the area.

Me too, whole. Shoreditch is a very different vibe to what OP described and not a nice walk from theatreland. Farringdon/Clerkenwell is the farthest east on the city side of the river that I'd go if I were her with that wishlist. Sounds like she knows Maida Vale already too and isn't into it for this era of her life. Still think it's poss to bag a two-bed with a fair wind (still very much up for the Brunswick Square timeshare!), but can see how a one-bed in Bloomsbury or even somewhere like Covent Garden would be a tempting alternative.

ck out if you're willing to extend your search zone. I work in Farringdon and would hate to live around here - the noise from the meat market lorries through the night really carries and you do have plenty of rowdy club goers falling out of bars/clubs through the early hours of the night/weekends

I can tell you from experience this is totally true - we lived in a short let in Smithfield for 8 weeks in between selling our flat in West Hampstead and buying our current house in Richmond. Meat lorries started coming at 4am every day and believe me the porters do not unload quietly!!

wouldn't say we're walking distance to the West End or most theatres tbh

Agree. Whilst I have walked home from the west end to shoreditch it has been in summer, during the day time and it has been because I want a walk rather than because tt was the quickest way home. Its 1h min.

OP, loads of people in London price on 'bedrooms' rather than on sqft like most sensible countries. So it is possible to pick up a 1 bed which is as big as a 2 bed for much less cash (I have found while perusing right move). Only issue with a 1 bed is you can't hide all your junk in the spare room.

I have friends who live mega central near oxford street on a pedestrianized little back street. That is a fantastic location albeit busy and noisy with people late at night (but nothing some decent double glazing wouldn't sort out).

Meat lorries started coming at 4am every day

That shouldn;t put you off a whole area tho - my flat is on a busy main road and noisy all night, but the bedroom is at the back onto a courtyard and is super quiet.

this - outdoor space, two double bedrooms.

That is a super sized flat and lovely roof terrace. I would want to check out the road noise situation with the double aspect onto main roads but you can always tertiary glaze.

Short walk to the N line to get into town and beyond.

I like the area too, vibrant but also homely. I lived near there when I first moved to L but I didn't like the canary wharf commute.

Added 31 July though - I would wonder why it is still up for sale 6 weeks later?

Also the 'unofficial' roof terrace = nightmare if the freeholder find out???

Probably because of the unofficial roof terrace.

I really like that flat in Camden whois, if it is still available. I think Camden has a lot to offer and feels quite central. Also good advice about the square footage. Thanks also for the info about Shoreditch.

Thanks for the tip about the meat lorries dinky.

That's what's so great about MN - you really do get inside up to date info about things which the agents will never tell you.

Shoreditch is walkable from the National Theatre, though, if you want to. I've done it several times (when I was able-bodied). It's not that short, about half an hour, but it's quite scenic and most of it is on quietish roads.

TBH though I wouldn't recommend it as a buyer if you can afford somewhere else. There's a real mix of beautiful buildings and hideous ones, with little in between, and you will not be able to afford the beautiful buildings. It can also get extremely noisy. I like the atmosphere most of the time, but it does make me feel ancient sometimes. There are quite a lot of older people still living here (on the council and HA estates mainly) but you don't see them out and about as much as the young trendies so it's easy to feel out of place.

Thanks scifi. We have now ruled out Shoreditch following the excellent advice on this thread.

I have some viewings lined up near to Euston/Kings Cross, which are relatively close to my preferred areas and seem to offer reasonable value for money.

Fingers x'd!

What about this one near Waterloo? You'd get plenty of change from your budget as well!

or some trendy loft apartments - also within your budget

This one has a private cinema and gym!

This is pretty - N1 this time

And another on in N1 which even has a garden

Kings Cross is nice these days.

BIWI - you are a genius. I like all of these apart from the high rise block - you could make a excellent career as a property finder (perhaps you are one already?).

Funnily enough the other area which we had identified as offering what we want within budget is the area near Lambeth North.

However, I am just wondering if these ones are still available as they appear to have been on for a while. I have requested details.

I am feeling more confident!

I lived in shoreditch till last year - lots to recommend it. You can also go a bit further out (haggerston), or further around (a bit north of euston /back of kings x). There is lots in your budget in the inner part of zone 2. Highbury, Stoke Newington (especially around clissold park).

Not a property finder just like a bit of property porn!

Actually - you should look in Pimlico for walking distance to theatreland.

Is no one else alarmed by the "unofficial roof terrace" of the Camden flat? ?

I don't know about alarmed but I wouldn't be marketing it as a selling point!