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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Can I still buy in London?

94 replies

londonfirsttimebuyeragain · 06/08/2024 15:35

So this been done to death but here it goes. I have lived in South London since graduating from uni, renting but always wanting to buy. When I think I cobbled enought money for a deposit - the market runs away from me. I started in a house share in Fulham, then studio in Clapham, then one bed in Balham, then one bed in Tooting, getting priced out every few years on rent. I thought I could buy in Tooting but... I started looking a few months ago and I just want to cry. I was always hoping for a two bed but have to admit that it's a pipe dream altogether.

So with a budget of 500k (may be 550, big if) where in London could I buy. I have to commute to central London every day for work so has to be fairly commutable. Ideally tube rather than train (just because of how late and frequently it runs) but open to compromise. Otherwise the holy grail of nice(ish), safe (ish), green (ish), cafes/coffee shops, gym(s), pilates/yoga studio(s), park/common/green space(s), community feel. Childfree so schools not a consideration. Probably capped out my earning potential so not a step on the property ladder but rather a long-term thing so would need to get it right.

Please hit me with ideas! Or tell me if I am being delusional and I need to rethink completely...

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Campcritters · 06/08/2024 18:47

No, I only looked around Tooting Bec/Tooting Broadway - it used to be so affordable! Tooting Station is not the nicest area and the transport links are not ideal but I need to look again. I am at a point of being happy to move areas completely to get a “nicer” area even if it means a longer/more awkward commute. I am rethinking everything TBH.

The bits near Tooting Broadway aren’t that different to Tooting station.

Campcritters · 06/08/2024 18:48

but when I lived in Fulham Tooting Bec was a no go zone

lol! What on earth made you think this?!

Campcritters · 06/08/2024 18:49

You are going to really struggle if you thought Tooting Bec was a no go zone 😆😆

londonfirsttimebuyeragain · 06/08/2024 18:49

Thank you for all the wonderful ideas, will binge on rightmove tonight and I guess my weekends will be quite booked up next few weeks/months. I need to rank my priorities - I suspect it will niceness of the area vs commute and distance from the station. I must NOT let myself obsess over perfection before I get prices out again

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Beamur · 06/08/2024 18:50

South London. Friend of mine lives near Beckenham. 20 minutes to central London. Leafy green area. I also know people living in Forest Hill and Catford (more central but a bit ropey in places).

TunnocksOrDeath · 06/08/2024 18:51

There are lots of 2-bed flats in Tooting worth under 500k, mine included. Are you filtering for “overlooks Tooting Bec” or something else that would push the price up?
Our place is exactly a mile from Earlsfield station, 10 minute walk to Tooting Broadway. Wimbledon town centre also walkable in comfy shoes.

Campcritters · 06/08/2024 18:53

There are loads of options

londonfirsttimebuyeragain · 06/08/2024 18:55

Campcritters · 06/08/2024 18:48

but when I lived in Fulham Tooting Bec was a no go zone

lol! What on earth made you think this?!

LOL
Back in 2010 or thereabouts when I was living the dream in a house share a colleague was moving from Tooting Broadway citing violence/safety - he had a brick randomly thrown through his window and other things. He moved to Ashtead. He had two kids so I think space and schools came into it. I am not looking for such a commute. I love nature and space but not THAT much.

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hooplahoop · 06/08/2024 18:55

If you like Tooting, your budget would comfortably get a flat in the Amen Corner / Tooting overground area :)

potplantsinparadise · 06/08/2024 18:55

Crystal Palace, Nunhead, Brockley, Crofton Park, Honor Oak, East Dulwich, and Camberwell are all naice, have green space, shops/cinemas/bars etc, and all have some lovely 2-beds for up to £550k.

NewtGuineaPig · 06/08/2024 18:56

Surbiton/Kingston?
Fast trains to Waterloo, near some smaller parks and the river plus Bushy Park and Richmond Park, nice coffee shops, decent shopping, good pubs, a fair few gyms/yoga etc.

NightBirdy · 06/08/2024 18:57

Ginmonkeyagain · 06/08/2024 18:43

Stop looking at areas with tube stations. Your money will go a lot further.

This is true. This will include much of SE London - but also don't discount going further out into north London as the overground train services are pretty good.
My niece just bought in Enfield which sounds a long way out of centre but it's less than 30 mins into Moorgate on the commuter line she uses (with another local train line going through Hackney to Liverpool St in about the same time).
We visited last month and I was amazed at how pleasant the area felt and how cheap her lovely period two bed terrace with garden was (£480k in a desirable part of town).
She was initially looking in High Barnet but found that the presence of the tube pushed the prices up quite a bit and by moving to Enfield she got a much nicer property for her money. Worth a look, anyway.

londonfirsttimebuyeragain · 06/08/2024 18:59

I am probably being picky, I will give my head a wobble and look again. I wish I could buy the lovely flat I am renting below market rent but the landlord is coming back from overseas so that’s not an option. It’s really lovely so I am looking for something similar but it’s now a completely different price bracket than it was even pre-COVID. I could have bought something like that in COVID when prices for flats tanked but then I didn’t have enough for a deposit.

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Campcritters · 06/08/2024 18:59

@londonfirsttimebuyeragain as someone who grew up very locally Trinity Road & the Heaver Estate have always been expensive. You get crime in all parts of London though even where there are Gail’s!

Ratisshortforratthew · 06/08/2024 19:01

londonfirsttimebuyeragain · 06/08/2024 18:41

No, I only looked around Tooting Bec/Tooting Broadway - it used to be so affordable! Tooting Station is not the nicest area and the transport links are not ideal but I need to look again. I am at a point of being happy to move areas completely to get a “nicer” area even if it means a longer/more awkward commute. I am rethinking everything TBH.

It does sound like you’re being a bit picky - the area around Tooting station is absolutely fine, I used to live there! You can walk to Tooting Broadway station in 15 mins, it’s hardly worlds away from the trendy Tooting. I was also priced out so I moved to SE with a 200k budget in 2021. If I can find something, then you definitely can!

EnidSpyton · 06/08/2024 19:08

Have a look at Old Street/Clerkenwell/Shoreditch area. Lots of ex-local authority flats in your price range, and if you get lucky and can be patient, you can often pick up a maisonette with a garden or terrace, with up to 3 bedrooms, for 500k. It won't be in move in condition, but if you are willing to buy a bit of a project, you can get yourself on the ladder in a very desirable, and central, area - that is much quieter and more village-y than people think. At night, there's hardly any street noise at all.

I live in the area and it's got a fantastic community. Lots of long-term residents, plenty of local stuff you can get involved in - volunteering at Bunhill Fields, in local gardens/allotments, Whitecross Street has their amazing arts festival every year and so on - and you've got the glorious Barbican on your doorstep. Green spaces are easy to find - not huge expanses, but plenty of pleasant parks and little squares to sit in - and loads of bars/restaurants/cafes/museums/churches/shops/markets to enjoy.

All this and you're in zone 1 with tons of tube stations and overground stations to choose from.

Plus, with ex-local authority flats, you have low service charges, and the council looks after the fabric of the building for you.

It's not an area that many people think to look at - but it's a real hidden gem!

anothertaytay · 06/08/2024 19:10

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/150192425 this is in budget and fits description... imo

londonfirsttimebuyeragain · 06/08/2024 19:19

@EnidSpyton
https://www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/67930116/?search_identifier=d2e4bf3d52695737100b66d50b3491f311e0f88d555f4fdd34638df1dc0bcb7b

Is this the type you have in mind? Obviously way over the budget but is it the kind to be seeking out?

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Heronwatcher · 06/08/2024 19:20

Campcritters · 06/08/2024 18:56

Agree Colliers Wood. Ticks all the boxes on your list. Excellent community, great restaurants, good commute and don’t be put off by the road. Have you been to “coffee in the wood” it’s great.

In addition I’d have a look at this place. Like lots of upper maisonettes you could probably do the loft and this one has a garden too.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/144271895?utm_campaign=property-details&utm_content=buying&utm_medium=sharing&utm_source=copytoclipboard#/&channel=RES_BUY