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.

@Whilamina Churchill Gardens looks brilliant!

[quote NotJustACigar]@Whilamina Churchill Gardens looks brilliant![/quote]
Less than 30 mins walk to trafalgar square

We will be cash buyers when we sell our house which might help with the negotiations. 2 beds listed I'm Churchill Gardens for £450k!

What's the deal with Churchill Gardens - short leases?

@DaisyNGO

What's the deal with Churchill Gardens - short leases?

Ex LA and current LA- grade 2 listed as architecturally protected Lots of Westminster ex la is similar prices.

Pimlico is cheaper. But a great area to live.

That's interesting Holiday, thank you
I have a friend looking to buy in London and he'd be interested in those

@NotJustACigar

We will be cash buyers when we sell our house which might help with the negotiations. 2 beds listed I'm Churchill Gardens for £450k!

OK. That will help massively

1 flat we looked at was on at £550, dropped to £500. Then dropped to £475 and sold the same day- apparently for £440 (waiting for it to come up on land registry) .

The agent told us that the investors have given him a cash price for many properties- which the owners initially refused but as soon as they drop they offer again (or leave the offer on the table) - lower than the drop and get them.

There's these two in West Hampstead, which might be worth considering. I lived there for many years, and the tube to the West End was easy (and a very quick change to the Met line at Finchley Road or Baker Street) , and also night buses, both to West Hampstead and up Finchley Road, and the Thameslink was surprisingly useful too.

Added to which, it's a friendly and lively area of itself. Many lively bars and restaurants, and a wide variety of friendly people in the area generally.

@DaisyNGO

What's the deal with Churchill Gardens - short leases?

Westminster are the leaseholders and so lease extension would be easy and not too expensive.

Or this one which looks to have some outside space and is near the Czech club, which is a great place for a beer...

OP if you don’t live in it full time, buy a broom closet in town. I lived most of my time in London inside the circle line through a variety of lucky circumstances and shitty but cheap flats and it was brilliant. Just being able to stroll home after a night out was fab. Once we bought a bigger flat with garden etc further out, the flat was fab and we got to have a cat but I go so tired of it taking an hour to get home from everywhere after being able to walk home in 30 mins or less.

Have a look at shepherds bush- you can get a one bed for that, great transport links,
For example

Loftus Road, London, W12
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/82740294

Don’t forget that, as well as tube and night buses, it’s pretty easy to jump in an Uber or black cab to get home. We live in zone 3 and an Uber costs about £20 and takes 25 mins from the West End. You could easily budget a healthy amount for taxis and buy a place further out.

What’s your objection to high rise? There are lots of shiny new blocks going up around Kings X, Finsbury Park, Stratford, 9 Elms, with lovely big windows and balconies. They usually have great security and someone there at all times to take parcel deliveries, maybe a gym in the block etc.

My main high rise objection is that DH suffers from claustrophobia and won't get in a lift, @HaveringWavering.

Elephant and castle has come up a lot but it’s really quite horrid so I wouldn’t recommend it. The area has been under ‘regeneration’ for years. The tube station and underpass system is unlikely to hit the mark if your DH has claustrophobia.

Avoid Walworth. Rough as arseholes. Some lovely roads and squares but a horrible area.

You also need to factor in the service charge for the flat. We pay around £200 per month, which is pretty cheap for Central London. If you’re looking at something with heating and hot water included, and a concierge, it will be a lot more.

We're in Zone 3 but if we were to sell up to buy centrally, I'd choose Pimlico in a heartbeat. Everywhere's walkable from there – Southbank, Hyde Park, Oxford Street, and you're also close to Victoria bus/Tube station too. I wouldn't choose the Kings X/Euston area because the traffic is awful and pollution recorded on the Euston Road is among the worst in the country.

Walking distance from the west end? You’ll be lucky to find a broom closet at that price.
Not at all true
Just bought 1 and viewed loads.

Where did you buy? Because everyone’s now suggesting flats that are well beyond a half hour walk of the west end.

Freehold apartment in Bloomsbury for 375 www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/116333852#/?channel=RES_BUY

Crikey that's a good price, what's the catch?

@MargotEmin

*Freehold apartment in Bloomsbury for 375 www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/116333852#/?channel=RES_BUY*

Crikey that's a good price, what's the catch?

That does seem good. Massive service charge?

You could try putting in Vauxhall as an area. It is v central with good rail connections. And easily walkable to the West End. Stockwell is a bit further to walk but still not that far. Kennington and Oval as well. I think you could get a small one bed for that price.

Eg www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/106950140#/?channel=RES_BUY