To ask where to move to in London?

[Firsttimemumxxx]

Hello,
Looking for some advice from Londoners about which areas are nice to move to? Me and my partner are moving from Oxford as I have a job in the city and he’s working from Heathrow. We have a budget of 500000 at the most for a flat and have been looking at areas such as Chiswick, Fulham, battersea and clapham; but having not spent huge amount of time in London we can’t decide what’s best for us! Looking for somewhere nice, fairly safe and with nice places to go (pubs , cafes etc). Also somewhere nice to bring up young children as hopefully will be thinking about that soon. I stayed in Chiswick last year and loved it- nice pub on the river and the relaxed ‘vibe’ I’m looking for. Just wondering if there’s any other suggestions of where might suit us/ which part you’d recommend?
Sorry for the long winded message!
Thankyou x

I know we probably won’t get much for our money in these areas but I’d rather go for location and get something small and then upsize in the future

How long are you planning to stay because if you're relying on equity to upsize then I wouldn't buy a flat in the areas you mention.

Personally I would try & future proof & buy a house a bit further out. Plus you will struggle in those areas with 500k.

You need to be exceptionally careful about buying a flat, the cladding scandal is just the beginning. Many recent builds have issues with fire compartmentalisation and more. Check out the leasehold knowledge partnership. If you can possibly buy a small house with the potential for adding an extra floor, converting the roof or extending. Or failing that a share of freehold flat.

Wimbledon
Kingston
Surbiton
Southfields
Balham

Earlsfield/Balham/Clapham are known collectively as Nappy Valley because they're so good for having children. In ordinary times there are loads of classes and groups for young children, and the primary schools are very good. Having said that Surbiton might be good for you - quick trains to the city, nice relaxed vibe, close to Kingston for shopping, by the river and not a million miles from Heathrow (there's a bus from Kingston).

Being stuck in a small flat with a kid may take the shine of Chiswick's trendy vibe

I agree about Putney for the same reasons as unchien. Putney and Barnes are expensive obviously, but you could try Mortlake to get a bit more for your money. Mortlake is in the same line into Waterloo as Putney and Barnes. Also, Mortlake property may be a good investment because a whole development of the old brewery there is planned in the next few years - it will be shops, restaurants, apartments etc. (No idea if Covid has impacted this though). Mortlake has no tube, but is very near Chiswick bridge so not a bad drive to Heathrow (or just get the bus to Richmond which is very nearby).

Do bear in mind that Hammersmith Bridge is closed at the moment for repairs. They are talking about it reopening for pedestrians in the summer - so let’s see.., Hammersmith is the tube station serving Barnes.

Otherwise Parsons Green (pricey though). Or Chiswick (though you do generally have to get over / under the A4 there to get river access).

Going further out, there is obviously Richmond (no cheaper than Barnes or Putney really); but you could definitely look at places like Isleworth, St Margaret’s, Teddington or even Hampton for the laid-back river vibe you’re looking for. The river is gorgeous that way and lots of parks, cafes etc. Still quick into Waterloo and much closer to Heathrow.

I wouldn't say Chiswick is particularly trendy, lovely & leafy but it's not cool.

I would also suggest looking at Kew Bridge as a starting point and moving west along the river through Brentford, Syon , Isleworth, St Margaret's , Twickenham and so on. Richmond is close by for shops , restaurants cafes etc.

Ruislip. 20 min drive to Heathrow, 3 tube stations, 40 min direct tube to central london. I think you’d get a 3 bed house for £500k. Nice green areas.

We live in Ealing and love it. Couldn’t quite afford Chiswick but Ealing has great shops and pubs/cafes. There is definitely a lot opening up around here especially with cross rail coming (hopefully) soon. Lots of parks and open space too.

I actually used to work at Heathrow and the drive would take me 20 mins or I’d jump on the tube/train there.

Ruislip and Eastcote - oddly lower prices than many similar areas.

@marcella1

Insane money for a two bed house

I was thinking that was really good value for a house in Chiswick!

@Bouncebacker

BlackHeath and Greenwich are delightful, we moved as DINKYs (Double Income No Kids Yet) and it was fab, lovely, fun part of town, lots going on, great open spaces and brill for small children

You would get a one or two bed flat in Blackheath/Greenwich for 500k. It’s really lovely and green but because of that, 500k won’t go far.

Putney/Wandsworth is lovely - it’s safe and is near the river but also you can walk to Barnes/Wimbledon/Battersea/Fulham. Good transport links too!

I live in Chiswick. It is lovely but I don’t know if £500K will get you much. I don’t know much about flats but modest homes in my neighborhood are going for £1.5m at a minimum. (We bought years ago— could never afford it now!)

How many bedrooms do you need OP? And are you open to a flat or prefer a house?

I would look at Ealing Broadway, for Crossrail connections to work for you both. You wouldn’t get a house, but you might get a share of freehold flat with either a garden or a loft with potential to convert.

Now that I think about it you really don’t see many couples in Chiswick without kids. It’s definitely a family vibe rather than cool. The high road on a Saturday night after 8 pm is a ghost town.

Depending on when you need to move, Greenwich/Blackheath might be a great option. Crossrail from Woolwich is opening in 2022 (first quarter apparently), so a short train ride from Greenwich to Woolwich, then 10 mins or so to the city. Crossrail also goes to Heathrow airport directly for your husband.

That being said, I moved to the area back in 2018 hoping to use the imminent Crossrail, so its how much you trust the opening date really...

Also Charlton village might be better. Still walkable to Greenwich park and Blackheath, but closer to Woolwich station and more for your £500k

How about Hampton Wick.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/83510482#/

How about a house boat

If you really want a bang for your buck. Look at Crawford/Feltham you will even have money left over.
Be the first on the Piccadilly line and a few mins away from Heathrow.

Alternatively, Brentford is a good shout, only a short bus ride away from Chiswick and all it's glory

Meant to say Cranford

I grew up in Chiswick (until I was 24!), and moved back there for a short while in my early 30s. I liked it, but I like Ealing a lot more. Especially around the Walpole Park area. I've also lived in Battersea, which was nice, but got extremely bored of having to walk along a main road to get anywhere.