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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

London areas? Which are most fun to live in as a newbie??

86 replies

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 12/08/2018 08:45

Aibu to think London areas change quickly -ie ones thought of as 'dangerous' change to lovely village feel... Sometimes it feels within a few months...

Pal is thinking of moving to London, as am I. Both in health roles...

We're both flexible over geography...

Please tell us about your area of London and why you enjoy living there? ..

We love arty stuff, cinema /theatre /exhibitions... But would also like buzzy area with choice of places to entertain ourselves and choice of local shops?

OP posts:
JustlikeDevon · 12/08/2018 09:15

You might be flexible over geography, but unless you are minted, it will probably boil down to money and where you can afford. I'm in zone 3 and pay 1600 in rent for a 2 bed to give you an idea.

Original poster
IamtheDevilsAvocado · 12/08/2018 09:20

Where in z3? Jutlikedevon? Do you like it there?

OP posts:
Pikehau · 12/08/2018 09:21

I loved Balham - need to pay at least 800-900 each pcm I would think.

JennyHolzersGhost · 12/08/2018 09:21

Generally a notable bout of gentrificstion is triggered either by a major transport improvement or a big new development. In either case, unless you’re a home owner it isn’t likely to benefit you that much as rents will rise pretty quickly so you risk getting priced out.
I’d look for an area that’s got what you want already within your price bracket tbh.
I know you say you’re flexible geographically but it can take a couple of hours to commute from the wrong side of town so can you give some vague clue as to where you’ll be working ? Also budget ?

Cuppaorwine · 12/08/2018 09:23

I think you may need to work out the finances first op before you look at geography.

bakingdemon · 12/08/2018 09:24

Think about what you can afford and what your commute to work will be. A soul destroying commute can ruin the experience of living in London. But I would have a look at Hackney - try Clapton area.

SteviaStephanie · 12/08/2018 09:27

Definitely the most expensive ones - Islington, Shoreditch, Shad Thames, Chelsea etc! BUT you can find more affordable places that are near those areas so you can get there easily for drinks/brunch etc.

Most important thing is budget. Once you’ve worked that out, then you can start looking at areas.

hopingandprayingthistime · 12/08/2018 09:32

For young buzzy arty feel look at East London - Hackney / Dalston / Leyton etc. For young buzzy but posher / less artsy look at SW London - Clapham, Clapham Junction, Tooting, Balham, Colliers Wood. But fully agree your no.1 considerations should be what you can afford and where you will need to commute to, and work it out from there! You do not want a hideously long commute with multiple changes ruining your lives! Lots of medical professionals live in Tooting / Colliers Wood as close to St George's hospital and I'm sure there's loads of similar enclaves near the big hospitals.

Welshwabbit · 12/08/2018 09:40

I live in Brixton. Probably fulfils most of your criteria (buzzy, lots of entertainment options including Brixton Academy for music gigs, loads of places to eat and drink out) and has great transport links, but is correspondingly pricey. Here's some information (provided by Foxtons so take with a pinch of salt) about rental prices in the area www.foxtons.co.uk/living-in/brixton/rentals/. Good luck!

Original poster
IamtheDevilsAvocado · 12/08/2018 10:31

Many thanks for answers so far - very helpful!

Not yet finalised jobs... But likely to be fairly central London in the large hospitals

OP posts:
Branleuse · 12/08/2018 10:33

Unless youre minted id look at other cities.

Cloudyapples · 12/08/2018 10:36

I live in Finsbury Park and love it - super easy to get into central because we have a train and two tube lines, lots of family run and unique places to eat locally, and easy to get to places like Highgate, crouch end, Hampstead Heath by bus for a more villagey feel. I used to live in Highgate which is beautiful and quiet, but it’s mostly chain restaurants and mush more expensive rent.

MaMaMaMySharona · 12/08/2018 10:37

I used to live in Colliers Wood which is zone 3. It took me about 40 minutes on the northern line to get to my job in Bank. I lived in a shared house and paid £600 for a double room, another £160 odd on transport. Colliers Wood is a bit of a dive with nothing in it but supermarkets, Tooting is a little bit up the road but it also pretty grim. A few nice pubs and restaurants though.

My friend lives in Leyton and loves it, she says there’s a lot to do there and it has a nice community feel. I don’t see it personally, but then I absolutely hated living in London so I don’t think I’d approve of many places!

mayhew · 12/08/2018 10:38

Once you have jobs. Look at the main transport routes that serve that place. Minimum commute is always best especially if you work long shifts/unsociable hours. I had a job at St Thomas which I loved but door to door was an hour.

Then look at each stop going out. Check which routes have 24hr service at the weekend.
When you find a stop you fancy/ can afford, that's it.

Stepmum3 · 12/08/2018 10:41

I moved from Newham as it was becoming more dangerous and didn’t want my children raised around there. However, further up from us was Wanstead and it’s very much like a village and on the Central line.

Regards,

MakeLemonade · 12/08/2018 10:44

My vote would be for Brixton, loads to do, great buzzy vibe and lots of newcomers so I think it’d be an easy place to make friends.

Tooting is good too - but further out and a bit cheaper. Tooting Market has lots of lovely cafes, bars etc.

titchy · 12/08/2018 10:44

Seriously find jobs first. 'Fairly central London' isn't a small enough area to work out commute. You also need to state your budget - £800 a month or £5000 a month?

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 12/08/2018 10:48

Camden Town and the area around Kings Cross are really central but expensive.
Do the hospitals offer staff accommodation at all? If they do I would think about staying there whilst you find your feet and explore.

Redinthefacegirl · 12/08/2018 10:55

Waves at cloudyapples, we're in Finsbury park too. Love it! Can do local/villagey feel and great acces to town. Both Dh and I work in hospitals, he cycles in, I run in. I agree you should get the commute right. The wrong commute is miserable!!

blinkineckmum · 12/08/2018 11:00

Brixton

Istolethisusername · 12/08/2018 11:02

I live in Stratford in newham - transport links are brilliant and rent is not as bad as you’d think- especially if you and your friend are sharing.

If no jobs finalised I’d suggest joining barts bank - always lots of work available until you find something more permanent.

m.bankpartners.co.uk/barts-health/

Liverbird77 · 12/08/2018 11:04

Kilburn has some nice pubs and is handy for the underground, overground and buses

rose69 · 12/08/2018 11:23

I would also suggest Brixton as easy to get to several hospitals and lots to do. The town centres which are near by such as Streatham and West Norwood are also commutable and have cinemas, theatres and small cafes.

Pringlecat · 12/08/2018 11:35

You need to figure out where you will be working first.

Zone 2 might sound great (if you can afford it) but it might be the wrong side of zone 2 for your commute and/or necessitate at least one or two changes. When given the choice, you want to find somewhere with an easy normal commute and a plan B commute (i.e. what you can do when the tube is totally screwed).

Everywhere in London has its charm, even the stabby bits. You'll settle in wherever you go. But job first!