Is Elephant and Castle good to buy in?

[MovingCW]

My niece is looking to buy a 1 bed flat in the E&C / Old Kent Road area. Is this a safe area with a potential for price increases? My opinion of that area is not good at all from 10 years ago but she insists it's improved a lot recently.

Any advice from people who know the area well is welcome!

There’s been a big redevelopment of that area over the years and there are lots of new flats and a massive influx of first time buyers. The demographic has definitely changed a bit - many more young professionals.

The area is the same as it’s ever been in terms of being busy, residential but also a lot of passing traffic, not very pretty but very good for transport links. It’s as safe as any urban area.

Probably a good investment.

I'd say it is still "edgy". It wouldn't be my first choice tbh.

It’s being massively redeveloped but still a bit of a shithole. Lots of new flats but also still has lots of very problematic people living there. I’ve just stopped working there and it’s not somewhere I would want to walk home alone at night.

On the plus side, it’s super central and walking distance to most places in central London and probably going to increase in value.

What's her budget? We could suggest other areas which are safer.

Check the building isn't full of cockroaches. Many years ago friends of ours lived in a block in e&c that was full of them. They were crawling all over the place and you'd see them scatter when you turned a light on. It was horrendous.

It was bloody rough back then and I still left my handbag in the car boot rather than take it into the flat and risk hitchhikers. I went twice and refused to go again. Bloody traumatised! They had two very young kids too.

Not the prettiest of areas, but central. A lot of new development going on. Probably a good buy.

This one is not a new build but is surrounded by newer, tall buildings. Still doesnt seem very safe though. Didn't even think of cockroaches!

Her budget is 250-300K - where else would you recommend @Ilefttownonsaturday ?

Personally I think it’s a great place for a young single person who wants to make the best of living in London.

Excellent public transport and quick travel, walking distance to Borough Market and surrounding brilliant areas.

I would pay attention to the terms of the lease, service charge, ground rent though.

I live around there, and know it pretty well. You can get to any part of the city from elephant and castle - a lot of new development going on around here but it's very pricey tbh. Even a 1 bed flat is super expensive.

Thank you @dellesapples is the area around Burgess Park generally safe? Is there much to do in E&C itself for young single women?

I wouldn't want to live there because of all the traffic, but if your niece doesn't mind that, then it's a good choice. It's safe, has good transport links and is on the up, so prices will continue to rise,.

@MovingCW I've risen through burgess park at night on a bike, I didn't feel threatened but that's just me and it was 7 years ago things might have changed since then. I think if you have friends locally it can be fun to explore the area.

If she wants to live in the hood then go for it! Plenty of nicer areas to live in, in SE. Especially if she’d like to buy. Bermondsey is a bit nicer?

*ridden