Area near Canary Warf for young couple?

[GillyG1970]

My son is contemplating relocating from Edinburgh to Canary Warf. His partner is going to be going with him. Any suggestions about a nice place for them to be looking at renting? I think somewhere with green spaces a bit of a village feel and a reasonable commute - he'll be working long hours and if he doesn't have to add in a huge amount of travel, then they will hopefully settle in a bit more easily. He wants to be able to get home before his partner is in bed! They could choose to move further away in future if they decide to at a later date... I've not been down to London so can't really advise. He's obviously looking into it himself but wondered if I could add any value to the discussion! Thank you.

What's his budget? How many bedrooms?

The Isle of Dogs itself is surprisingly pleasant to live, I lived there for a decade in the early 2000s. It's quite high density with a lot of apartments but there is very little traffic because it's not a through road to anywhere, there's a big park in the middle and nice river walks, you can get the DLR or walk through the tunnel to Greenwich at the weekends. It was my favourite place to live of all the different places that I lived in London.

The areas of Bethnal Green and Mile End which are near Victoria Park are lovely imo.

As PP said, looking somewhere on the Isle of Dogs is worthwhile. There are some pretty bits, especially around all the waterways and Dickensian pubs.

Greenwich, around the park, is absolutely beautiful and a very easy commute but fairly pricy.

I agree with looking on Isle of Dogs first, the bottom round Island Gardens station always seems nice and there's a traffic-free walk past the old docks up to Canary Wharf.as alternative to using DLR.

There's also North Greenwich, 1 stop on Jubilee from CW. The residential area (Millennium Village) isn't immediately by station though, and is very new so limited shops etc.

Canada Water (1 stop on Jubilee other direction) is being redeveloped and has lots of new flats. Plus a library, theatre and shops that are longer established. Green spaces at Southwark Park and Russia Dock Woodland plus not far from Thames Path. Canada Water is on Overground as well as Jubilee which gives access to other areas of London.

It's all about the transport links here in London. Canary Wharf is on the Elizabeth line and the Jubilee line and the DLR. I live in South East London and I can get to Canary Wharf easily via overground and Jubilee line. So they could live in my area , the lovely tranquil Honor Oak Park.
But really anywhere on the Elizabeth line is possible all the way out to Maidenhead or even Reading. But areas close to Canary Wharf are either very expensive and very urban, a lot of flats and not much greenery. Or how shall I put this, not peaceful and prosperous.
Canary Wharf is right next to some of the poorest areas not just in London but in the UK. I work in Custom House which is one stop further on the Elizabeth line, and although I lived happily in Newham for many years none of my friends moved there having visited me!
Also I had a girlfriend once who was a Scot and lived in Glasgow, we were power gays, commuting by plane once a month, lol, she lived in a gorgeous property in an utterly fabulous area and my tiny flat in a high crime hotspot was worth more! So it's all a bit variable down here. For what its worth I would advise looking at places in budget on decent transport routes. Remember the overground in South London connects directly to the Elizabeth Line at Whitechapel!

Look at transport routes. As PPs have said, Mudchute Farm on the Isle of Dogs is a fab green space, and Canary Wharf could be reached by bus, cycle or potentially even walking.

If he's working in CW I'd suggest not living there as it will be boring AF.

Try Kennington, Oval, Brixton, Pimlico. Easy commute but closer to the city for evening socialising and weekend adventures.

I know East London and Canary Wharf well. Personally I wouldn’t want to live in Canary Wharf or Isle of Dogs and wouldn’t recommend it to someone new to London. It’s safe and clean but not the most exciting place, and I understand wanting a short commute but I wouldn’t want to live too close to work.

Greenwich - can be pricy as pp have said but it’s so lovely near the park, and very easy commute to CW. Has the jubilee line and DLR.

Limehouse basin - short walk from CW, also 2 stops on DLR to the City of London. If you stay close to the basin side / narrow street / it has a nice feel, there’s also a small green space and the walk to Canary Wharf overlooks the Thames. I’d avoid the side overlapping Poplar, and Stepney.

Mile End - I always overlooked Mile End in the past as parts are quite run down. However a friend who lives close to the station has changed my view. Walking distance to social areas of Hackney, but there is also Mile End Park, regents canal (takes you on a lovely walk to Hackney). Also, it’s well connected with central and district line. No direct tube line to Canary Wharf though, but close enough can cycle or take the bus.

Bethnal Green - Similar to Mile End but I think it’s even nicer, and you’re 1 stop from Liverpool Street, 2 stops from Bank so easy access to central. Walking distance to Columbia Road flower market, Victoria Park, Hackney city farm etc which are all lovely on the weekend, and different feel to CW.

Oh wow - just been out and come back to all your replies, thanks so much.

@CleanShirt - I think he's got a good budget but I've forgotten what he told me - off the top of my head I think he might have said £3,500...which seemed like loads to me up here in Scotland! He said it would get him a flat close to CW or house in Richmond... It's just him and his partner so probably 2 beds but if they could have a study then that would be even better. I haven't told him I'm asking here...

@deviantfeline - thank you. They have a great lifestyle just now - hopefully they can find a place within a reasonable commute which allows them to see some of each other mid week and enjoy the area at the weekends.

For that budget they could live central - I have friends who rent a 2 bed with a balcony next to Borough Market for less than that. Richmond is pretty borin for a young couple and really far from Canary Wharf - if I was them I'd live as central as possible!

@CleanShirt Thank you. As an old person I'd said I'd heard Richmond - and the park - is lovely!! But maybe not for a younger couple then!

Greenwich is only a quick DLR ride away. It's got the village feel and of course the park.

It's an easy commute to Canary Wharf from most of south east London. I would strongly suggest Greenwich.

Or Blackheath.

Richmond is absolutely miles away from CW.

With that budget I'd be looking for flat near Upper Street or around Victoria Park

Greenwich and Blackheath

Greenwich is young and buzzy - and you can get the dockkands light railway for 3 stops (about 8 minutes) or walk over/bike over on the foot tunnel. Loads of great pubs and restaurants.

Blackheath is at the top of Greenwich park and that's very villagey, nice restaurants and very green - and a lovely walk down through the park in the morning to the DLR or if you're tired after work you'd get the bus up the hill to Blackheath.

I'm in Blackheath and it's all ages but more weighted towards families than down in Greenwich

My DD and her partner are making arrangements to do the exact opposite - London to Edinburgh! They are totally fed up with the frenetic London life and are looking forward to a more laid back outdoorsy life. (They know Edinburgh is also busy and expensive but they can access sea, lochs and hills much more easily from there).

West greenwich - most of my exercise-mad neighbours walk to Canary Wharf under the foot tunnel, or cycle. There is essentially a Canary Wharf peleton cycling down from Blackheath every morning!

as per pp, slightly younger crowd in greenwich than Blackheath as Blackheath is so expensive.

Ooh Blackheath sounds lovely. He's mulling things over this weekend.

@ApolloandDaphne - they're so happy in Edinburgh! But thinking if they're ever going to have an adventure and travel a bit - to London and perhaps overseas after that - this is the time to do it. Then come back home to settle down, work a bit less and start a family.

I moved to Angus a few years ago. It's so peaceful. We're at the foot of the glens, and there are miles of deserted trails to explore. I would hate to be moving to London now - but I would have done it in a heart beat when I was in my 20s!

Yes for that budget they could look at Shad Thames between London Bridge and Bermondsey. Close to centre, Borough Market and lots going on at weekends. Jubilee line from London Bridge or Bermondsey to Canary Wharf. Not so great for big green spaces, some pocket parks and the Thames River path and
I'm very keen on the idea of riverside living 😁

I can see how London appeals when you are in your 20's. I think DD and her DP have done the travelling/fun stuff in London and are starting to think about buying a house (which they can't afford in London) and putting down roots as they head towards their 30's.

I used to live in Wapping and it’s my favourite place I’ve lived in in London. Not far from CW and central too.

Thanks everyone! @LewishamLass - you're probably right about riverside living... think that would definitely feel quite special!

@ApolloandDaphne - London prices are so nuts. No idea how anyone can afford it. Edinburgh is definitely much more affordable even though up here it also seems so pricey - my son is in a two bed flat which cost about the same as my house in Angus - views over the glens, a stream in our one acre garden... and a paddock!!

If he's looking at docklands in one of the newer developments I would suggest he checks out the facilities too. Lots of them have useful things like a gym, a pool, concierges etc. If he would normally pay for a gym membership then having a reasonable gym onsite will be handy. And don't underestimate how useful a good concierge staff is, when we lived in docklands our concierges would take in parcels and be a key holder for our flat, so they could let a plumber in if we were at work for instance.

@BlackAmericanoNoSugar - thank you. He's definitely considering gyms around where he's staying -sure he'd love one in his building! The concierge idea might be useful, thank you!