Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
London
Original poster

Help us find a location!

19 replies

chaotta · 05/05/2023 16:06

Hi the community!

We currently live in the Hampstead village area. We love it but no way we could afford a decent place here. And even if we could, we wouldn't buy as it's ridiculously overpriced.
Anyway, we have a budget of max 800k. We love the village feel of Hampstead. We need to commute into Farringdon, hopefully in around 45mn max.
We are looking for 2 bed/2baths minimum, with a large garden.
Help help help!
Both SO and I are not form the UK so have very little knowledge of surrounding areas.
I have looked at lots of places. Windsor seems nice but lots of plane traffic and if you are inside the city, you don't get much garden space. But an area cute like a Windsor/Cambridge kind of feeling?
Anyway we've been struggling a lot to find something that is both super cute, has enough shops, and great commute into Farringdon.
Reading to too much of a city, Hitchin is not cute enough, Bedford looks ok but no charm, etc.

Any ideas...?? <3

OP posts:
QueefofSheena · 05/05/2023 16:07

St Albans? Tight budget though unless you consider the villages

byronicheroine · 05/05/2023 16:08

We are in a similar position, so interested to see replies. We are looking at Ruislip, Ealing maybe or Amersham. Not sure though

QueefofSheena · 05/05/2023 16:08

Bedford is much rougher than Hitchin btw

Original poster
chaotta · 05/05/2023 16:11

Hi @QueefofSheena , Thx for your reply! We've looked a bit at St Albans but almost too build up as well, we're looking for more medieval, if it exists even? x

OP posts:
Original poster
chaotta · 05/05/2023 16:14

Hi @byronicheroine it's so difficult isn't it! I feel as I may be looking for something that doesn't exist! 2 years we've been searching for an area where to live...

OP posts:
Floppyelf · 05/05/2023 16:16

Ilford- its on the Elizabeth Line. Seven Kings/ Goodmayes has amazing properties for your budget.

Original poster
chaotta · 05/05/2023 16:20

Hi @Floppyelf , Thank you for your message! We've looked at Maidenhead and a few stops along the Lizzie line that way, but we are missing the village feel in all those places :(

OP posts:
Londonlady84 · 05/05/2023 16:30

You should be able to find a 2 bedroom in West Hampstead or Child's Hill for your budget. Both only 15 min walk to Hampstead village.

Ealing is a nice part of London too and more reasonable priced than Hampstead.

Outside of London, Harpenden is also nice and the train into Kings Cross is very quick.

parietal · 05/05/2023 16:34

if your commute is to Farringdon, you want to be on the Thameslink or on the Elisabeth line. Look carefully at the train maps and search around each station.

if you like being in zone 2, then Kentish Town would probably be in budget but would not give you the large garden. a garden is always a big ask in these areas.

Original poster
chaotta · 05/05/2023 16:43

hi @Londonlady84, thx for your advise! We were looking into outside areas because we were hoping to find a “village feel”. But it may be a more reasonable choice to look into WH/Child’s Hill I agree! Still hoping to find that perfect location though XD

OP posts:
Original poster
chaotta · 05/05/2023 16:47

@parietal wow! I didn’t think you could find places like this in WH. This is definitely eye opening!! We have heard really positive things from the area as well, and also that flat look really good, how did you find it XD

OP posts:
Sissynova · 08/06/2023 15:03

Floppyelf · 05/05/2023 16:16

Ilford- its on the Elizabeth Line. Seven Kings/ Goodmayes has amazing properties for your budget.

The most bizarre recommendation! I've never ever hear Hampstead Heath being compared to Illford!!

Spidey66 · 08/06/2023 15:11

I live near Ally Pally. It’s Zone 3, with train links to Moorgate. Very green, nice pubs, restaurants etc in Crouch End and Muswell Hill. However as it’s N22 ie Wood Green it’s cheaper than Muswell Hill. The local schools (Rhodes Ave Primary and Alexandra Park Secondary) both have good reputations. Don’t let the N22 postcode put you off. It’s the right side of the tracks lol. The housing is varied from 1930s detached and semis to Victorian and Edwardian terraces and purpose built flats.

Londonlady84 · 08/07/2023 18:37

@Sissynova I did think the same...couldn't be two places further apart in feel if you tried.

TheYear2000 · 17/07/2023 21:35

You should be able to get a 2 bed garden flat around Herne Hill for that budget. It's a lovely part of south london with direct Thames link trains to Farringdon in 25 minutes. 10-15 min walk to Brixton for tube as well. Herne Hill has lovely cafes/restaurants, Brockwell park has a great lido, all in all it's a super corner of south london and very good connections to Farringdon (and other places!)

TheYear2000 · 17/07/2023 21:37

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/134818784

TheYear2000 · 17/07/2023 21:39

Ps I agree with PP that Norwood Junction has good transport links but I think you'd find it too much of a culture shock after living in Hampstead. Herne Hill has a more established villagey vibe and if you're happy with a big flat/maisonette for your budget, I imagine it'd be nicer to stay more central

New posts on this thread. Refresh page