To ask which areas of London are still ‘affordable’ for buying property?

[Acapulco12]

Looking for some advice on which areas in London are best (ie most affordable) for buying a property.

I’m a first time buyer looking for a house (rather than a flat), but willing to compromise on space for location and condition. I’d prefer to have a smaller house - but which doesn’t need a huge amount of work immediately - in a more central area that’s close to transport links. I’m happy to do work on the house over the years though - just would prefer to move in somewhere that doesn’t need a complete immediate renovation job.

Any advice on areas I could look at please?

I’ve been looking mainly at Streatham and really like that area (nice parks, good amenities and shops, have visited the area a few times and it still seems kind of affordable-ish). I also looked at Ealing and Acton, but I think those are out of my price range. I know this is a tricky question, as lots of variables, but grateful for any advice.

What’s your budget?

What's your budget?

My friend not long moved out of Streatham and could not express how glad she was and what a shithole it has become. She lived there for 33 years so she knows her stuff.

Are you able to share your budget? You’ll get much more helpful advice if so. Definitions of “affordable” vary wildly!

You can buy a 2/3 bed terraced house in good condition in zone 2/3 (New Cross/Ladywell/Lewisham/Catford) for 600k. Good train/DLR/cycle/bus routes into central. Rapidly gentrifying.

People will call all of the above a shit hole but having been to Ealing and Streatham I don’t think they’re any worse. Nice communities, green and leafy.

Interesting to hear it’s going the other way. I’ve heard people say the same about Beckenham, but whenever I’ve been it looks lovely.

I think there are aspects of big city living that do not change, unfortunately.

budget???

Crystal Palace, or if you didn't mind a small commute areas like Bexleyheath or Abbywood.

new Cross/lewisham/deptford/catford/harrow/

Oh yeah CP is a good shout. Train goes to Victoria right?

Thanks so much, this is really helpful. My budget is £650k.

Forest Hill - SE23. There are several houses currently for sale in your budget. It’s nice here. Leafy, nice communities, the fab Horniman Museum and good connections to various parts of London via the Overground and National Rail from FH station and Catford and Lower Sydenham rail services within walking distance.

Crystal Palace is also nice but a little pricier, and because it’s on the dog leg of the Overground, services are less frequent.

OP, Streatham is fine. No more of a shithole than almost every other area of south London and the transport links are great. Nice parks, some affordable housing and depending on your circs/plans the schools are also good

Have a look at Maze Hill/Greenwich.. 15 minutes to London Bridge and a lovely part of South London.

Ah how come @Makeitmakesensetoday? I’ve visited Streatham a few times (mainly around Streatham Common, which I liked), but when I mentioned to a colleague who grew up in Streatham that I liked it, she thought I was mad! I think I like how close it is to amenities e.g. not far from green spaces like Tooting Common, supermarkets etc. I did hear its high street was once voted the worst one in Britain though!

Loads of houses in Harrow for that money. Parts of it are horrible but Harrow on the Hill and West Harrow towards Pinner are fine and in your budget.

What does everyone think of somewhere like Wembley/Alperton? I’m not super-keen, but have only visited the area a couple of times and not for very long. One of my family members mentioned it, but I don’t particularly like how it feels. Somewhere like Streatham common or Ealing (for example) just feels like it’s got more green spaces and a bit leafier - maybe just my impression though.

Alperton is grim, Wembley mixed.

Regarding Wembley, my DH worked there a while back and, at the time anyway, it had a predominantly Indian population and he wasn't made very welcome unfortunately.

Streatham.Vale would suit your budget, nice community, good schools, mini nature reserve, nice deli and pizza place and The Vale Social Club.

Wallington, 26 minutes on the train to London bridge, huge parks

Would you think about North London? You’ll easily get a 2 bed house near where I am for less than £600k.

And just to say, I am a high earner, have three kids etc. I have Piccadilly Line, Victoria Line and Overground near me.

What do you all think of this place?https://www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices/details/england-60374015-14120989?s=38d0999656a7b67946cdc78f63c9ccdaa0a92b19c80c9fd8e65912ad6388b6ce#/media and am going for a second viewing soon. It’s not on the market properly yet. Estate agent is putting a bit of pressure on - as they all do - as obviously they want to sell asap.

I’ve been to view it once and liked it. I like the general location - very close to transport links and quiet road, and really like the decoration (especially the living room area). The decoration has changed a bit from these pics here. I like that it doesn’t seem to need any work and it’s very spacious inside. Smallish garden though and I know the outside front view isn’t up to much but I don’t mind.

The only thing I’m slightly concerned about is it’s mid-terrace - would that be an issue? I think it would be good in terms of insulation, but just thinking it’s normally better to buy a semi or end of terrace if poss, to add value and improve it.

It’s pricier than my budget (£695k) but just been reduced from £750k. They might reduce it further.

Do you need to commute for work? It can take a very long time to commute from one side of London to the other!