North or South London for a 25 year old?

[tramtracks]

We are helping our dd buy a 1 bed flat and she is fixed on North London. Our ds (older) says she should definitely live in Fulham/Wandsworth/Clapham etc but she is concerned that its miles from her friends and the lack of tube stop bothers her.

I've never lived in London and so I'm not sure. I am hoping that this flat could accommodate me too from time to time. Any advice on what areas of north London you could buy a nice 1 bed with a budget of around £550k.

I’m 40 and the cool factor is still a thing for me when buying a house. I want to be in an area that suits my interests. If you didn’t have to, why would you want to live in an area that doesn’t?

I want to be in an area that suits my interests. If you didn’t have to, why would you want to live in an area that doesn’t?

I've moved to a less cool area but it's more family focused with lots for the dc to do & still has a decent high street. As you say it suits me & my needs.

Soho! It has everything, you can go clubbing or go to the theatre or go swimming. I adore Soho, and property values in WC1 never decline. If you can't get anything in actual Soho, Bloomsbury is also cool.
And your daughter went to UCL so she knows how much fun that post code is. Think about the money she would save on cabs getting home safely to a hell hole like Fulham or East Dulwich. And you could use the place to stay in when she is on holiday think how much you would save. I wish I had bought in Soho 25 years ago when I first had the idea.

Balham?

His take on things sounds pretty bizarre and I think you should leave his opinion entirely out of it.

She lives in London, has friends in London and knows the kinds of areas she likes. Let her lead the way.

Most flats she could afford in Islington will be ex council flats. Coming with risk of expensive works eg replacing all windows.
Also, if her friends are currently renting, she should be aware that when they buy they may well not be able to afford as central as her. It can end up being lonely after people move to more affordable areas! (In my case everyone went either east to Leyton or south east to Brockley, Forest Hill etc).
I’d recommend she looks in these areas to see how much more she’d get for the money than in Islington. Also be aware of noise and neighbours- an issue potentially in any flat but I have experience of Islington noisy council flats!

Think about the money she would save on cabs getting home safely to a hell hole like Fulham or East Dulwich.

I think this might be peak Mumsnet.

Wandsworth isn’t dodgy. Nor is Clapham a dump,it is over rated though
All of ldn has its good and iffy bits.
Wood Green or Stroud Green good transport good value. Worth a look

Nice but pricy.
Tooting is better value

If we are doing north, Wood Green, Archway . Both have changed a lot, mix of old property and new apartments. Both good transport links