London flat €400k convenient to West End?

[NotJustACigar]

Please can I have some advice on whether AIBU to look for a flat that's 30 minutes or less walking distance from the West End please? If so where should I look? A 1 bedroom would be OK but not in a high rise building or above a restaurant. Just me and DH, no children. I want a place where I can easily go to the theatre and walk home afterwards. Thank you.

[NotJustACigar]

@SW1amp I meant the Covent garden ones but can see that's probably not achievable ...but am wiling to compromise definitely on distance.

[HolidayTime2021]

£450,000 will get you

Lots of ex la around Waterloo, borough etc
New builds (about 10 years old) around Bankside
pimlico

[1990s]

Brixton. 15 mins on Victoria line into Oxford Circus.

www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/property/london/brixton/?beds_min=1&price_max=400000&view_type=list&q=Brixton%2C%20London&results_sort=newest_listings&search_source=home

[NotStayingIn]

Alos definitely embrace ex-council properties in council owned blocks. They generally are a bit cheaper than other non-council owned flat blocks in the same area.

[HolidayTime2021]

Plus take 10-20% off any advertised price as that's what they are selling for.

[ghislaine]

Or this in the Elephant? Metro Central Heights was designed by Goldfinger and the area is currently undergoing massive regeneration. 900+ years left on the lease. Two tube lines and in zone 1. www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/115655471#/?channel=RES_BUY

[Viviennemary]

You probably wouldn't even get a garage for that price.

[GreenLunchBox]

@WheelieBinPrincess

What 😂

Our crappymouse-ridden (rented) flat in zone 2 is worth 400k.

Why are so many London properties mouse-ridden?😭

[Luredbyapomegranate]

SE London - Crystal Palace, gypsy hill, penge, is a good place to look - into Charing X via London Bridge.

[OneTC]

Elephant, 40 minutes walk, you'll find for that price but will be in a tower

[ghislaine]

This is a one bed flat in the Ladyshave for £415. media.rightmove.co.uk/66k/65124/77480907/65124_P54133_DOC_00_0001.pdf

[Fupoffyagrasshole]

Just go somewhere further out on the tube line !

I live in Tottenham and went to the theatre the other night near Piccadilly Circus - I walked out the door at 18.20 - was sitting in the theatre at 19.00

Easy to get home as well

Honestly with the brilliant public transport available I don’t know why walking distance is a must

[HolidayTime2021]

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/113532896#/?channel=RES_BUY

This one has been dropping in price- ex LA just behind Tate modern.

1 bed flats are selling being listed at 2017 prices and selling for 2013.

[WheelieBinPrincess]

@GreenLunchBox

I know, it’s terrible, it’s a six-flat Victorian conversion block and you cannot get rid of them, they crop up in every flat in the building, then disappear down their little network between them again. We are so careful obviously about not attracting them, but last winter one got into my handbag (which wasn’t even on the floor) and ate a pack of pregnancy vitamins. They are relentless.

[GreenLunchBox]

[quote WheelieBinPrincess]@GreenLunchBox

I know, it’s terrible, it’s a six-flat Victorian conversion block and you cannot get rid of them, they crop up in every flat in the building, then disappear down their little network between them again. We are so careful obviously about not attracting them, but last winter one got into my handbag (which wasn’t even on the floor) and ate a pack of pregnancy vitamins. They are relentless.[/quote]
Omg Wheelie 😭

[Cyberworrier]

I would be very wary of buying ex-LA in a city you don't know well, in an area or street you don't know well. Even though it's an investment for you, sounds like you also want to be able to use it and enjoy it.
The possibility of considerable charges for upgrades on the block should also give you pause- private owners of council flats can have to pay 10s of thousands for new windows etc when the whole block is done, and you can't opt out.

I scoped my ex LA flat thoroughly, or so I thought, but two months after moving in, my vulnerable neighbour was taken advantage of by a group of druggies who basically took over her home. Separately, a serious violent attack took place right outside and lots of drug dealers hanging about. Friends living in ex LA blocks experienced similar.

If you have a choice, why would you risk it? Your budget isn't huge for london but it's not to be sniffed at and it will go a lot further a little further out. It really does depend on what you want though!

I do get the wish to be able to walk into the centre, it is lovely. Hopefully you have lots of different avenues to explore now!

[HolidayTime2021]

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/115083023#/?channel=RES_BUY

[ScribblingPixie]

Do a search on Rightmove for Walworth and Elephant & Castle. Check the areas out for safety.

[downtonupton]

There are a lot of theatre people in South Norwood, Anerley & Penge. You can get a good flat for £400k in South Norwood. It is 12 minutes from Norwood Junction to London Bridge then the train from there to Charing X run every 3 minutes and it takes about 5 minutes more. Or there is a direct train from Elmers End to Charing X - but that takes a little longer - but is another route if there are problems on the line.

[MarleneDietrichsSmile]

My advice to moving to London is to spend at least 1 year renting to really get to know it through and through

We then realised we were much happier to live in East London and use the Tube, we got a beautiful 1 bed flat with garden and long lease (at less than your budget)

We found it not worth the money to live in the West/centre of London

Just rent first

[NotJustACigar]

@Cyberworrier you totally get it - thank you so much. If I, someone who doesn't know the area well, decide to snap up a flat that looked like a bargain I am probably going to be totally wrong and get myself and DH into serious trouble. I'm sorry to hear about the problems you and your neighbour experienced. I'm starting to think those who have said to look a bit further out and take public transport are spot on!

[HolidayTime2021]

Ex LA usually dont allow airbnb if you want to do that-min 3 month lease
Some boroughs limit airbnb such as Westminster.

[EdgeOfTheSky]

OP: many leasehold flats in central London will have sky high service charges and possibly ground rents, and this is not a good use of your money, especially if you are not there full time.

I would look for a conversion or maisonette with a share of freehold somewhere like Balham, which has nice shops and restaurants, Tooting Common, and excellent quick transport on the Northern Line or overground to Victoria. Lots of nice one beds in budget.

[DaisyNGO]

Define walking distance

Is 40 mins okay?

Someone posted this, perhaps she biught it. 2 bed, £435,000.

Also think what kind of area you're all right with.

[DaisyNGO]

Link
What is wrong with me today?

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/114220451#/?channel=RES_BUY