Any advice for London buyers with 400k?

[indiegrrl]

Possible London newbie here with absolutely no idea where to start. DP has prospect of moving to a job in London; I work in Oxford and he's currently Up North so this would be great. For various reasons we'd be living in London rather than Oxford if he got it. Haven't a clue where to start househunting and wd love some tips before DP gives up in despair...we'd have 400k and would like 2 bedrooms, pref within 40 mins bus/tube of central London (the Strand). I'd need to get the train from Paddington or the bus from Marble Arch, Notting Hill or Shepherd's Bush but I'd be commuting weekly so while we'd like to be as near as possible to one of those, it isn't that essential. We like all the usual stuff: parks, high street, cafes etc etc (god knows if we can afford to think about any of that!) - but not fussed about parking space or clubs or pubs. Any tips very, very gratefully received. Thanks so much.

I have friends who do this very journey (let me guess, you work in publishing?)

They live in Olympia/Shepherds Bush borders and you'd probably get what you want for your budget, although a garden might be a tough ask. She walks to the roundabout stop and I remember her DH telling me he can cycle to work in 20 mins.

Buses are great in London, and getting better: dedicated bus lanes, 24 hour services, and every couple of minutes in rush hour. Cheaper than the tube, too.

Parts of Chiswick you can get 2 bed w garden for 400. If might be nearer acton or strand on the green but still walkable to high road.
Chiswick is divine - loads of coffee shops restaurants parks etc. kew gardens close by (get annual pass) and an hours drive to Oxford.
Go onto rightmove and search 2 beds 400k in w4.

If you are happy with a 40 min commute why would you live in London when you could live in Kent or Surrey and get so much more house for your money and possibly better schools. Use this to get ideas. I live in Sanderstead in Surrey (in Croydon borough) and it is lovely but still could get to the Strand in 40 mins.

Dulwich/Crystal Palace is nice if you do want to stay in London.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-38325713.html

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-38325821.html

another 'vote' for West London.. Ealing, Northfields, Acton... all make sense for the commute back out to Oxford as others have pointed out its on the overline train into Paddington. £400k should be good for a decent 2 bed flat or small(ish) house.

DP and I both work on the Strand. There are loads of convenient tube stops: Charing Cross, Covent Garden, Temple and Holborn closest; Leicester Sq and Tottenham Court Road also v. walkable. So lots of possible lines.

We live in Belsize Park which is a short commute (only half an hour door to door via Northern/Jubilee+Circle), but you won't get a 2 bed flat here for £400K. Not sure how quickly prices go down as you venture west, but West Hampstead/Kilburn might be worth checking.

Both Chiswick and Ealing sound like sensible suggestions and good areas to look.

Hey thisoldgirl, please come on in! Wow, everyone, this is so helpful. And I'm so relieved no one has just laughed at our budget. Mistlethrush, thanks for the tip - for now, though, we really want to be in London. We spend a fair bit of time in the centre anyhow doing galleries and theatre, and I'm very fortunate in that I'll only be commuting twice per week. I work at one of the unis and they provide me with a flat in central Oxford, which we're happy with longterm. Because we don't have to pay rent on it, and because we don't mind being apart a few nights a week, we'll keep that on and buy in London. Thanks though for tips re Oxford tube and commuting!

We don't have kids (I'm just sneaking on here illegally really), and what we're interested in, ideally, is easiest possible commute for DP, pretty lively, and yet quiet - I know!! What I mean is, a bit of bustle, some nice cafes, easy access to the centre but not the local drug dealer booming out his muzak upstairs. Had enough of that up north!
Excited re Kentish Town tips, as we have friends there but didn't think we could afford it...don't know Ealing or Acton or Shepheard's Bush but very interested...more info on the areas much appreciated!

Maybe look at Tuffnel Park as well as Kentish Town?

Ah ok if no kids and not planning them imminently then I agree that Kentish Town/Tufnell Park/Dartmouth Park etc is worth a look except that it's not ideal commute wise (doable though).

I have also lived in Oxford (twice actually - am a lecturer) and would always choose to live in London instead, even if I was reverse commuting a few days a week. But then I have never been able to get on with Oxford at all!

My MiL lives in Charlton, near Greenwich and I like the feel of it when we visit - good access to the city via train etc - and easy to get to Greenwich park.

West Kensington/Baron's Court - W14 - is west london and miles cheaper than neighbouring places like Fulham, Chiswick, etc. We used to have a LOVeLY flat in Queen's Club Gardens W14 before children came along - I still miss it!

I think Baron's Court is now much steeper, esp Queen's park Gardens, bella! there is communal park and tennis court though. You COULD get a one double/one single beds flat there that needs modernising, but they don't come up often, and you can get a lot more in Ealing or even Chiswick.
OP, busy yet quiet - that's Chiswick (Turnham Green tube is nicest)! High Street hugely improved over the last 10yrs and is nice and veyr lively, and leads int Haamersmith for more chain stores and more transport links. River walks nearby, leading to Kew/Richmond - very nice if you like some nature! You can get a good 2 bed there - but I'm convinced prices will be going up! Your DP can commute via Hammersmith (change to piccadilly line from T.Green)to Covent Garden, less than 30min on tube. Or walk to Chiswick Park tube for direct Picc line.
Ealing is nice but High street nowhere near Chiswick High St. It has very nice family houses area though and is green, but does feel more suburban. It's literally 12 min to Paddingtom by train from Ealing (overland), and tube to Holborn (about 30min) - top end of Strand. Central line on tube is too hot in the summer - they overheat it!
Kentish Town is charming but very small (the nice part of High st/cafes), and to get to the centre you have to pass through King's cross/Oxford circus which can be very crowded in rush hour and beyond.

I meant no big chain stores in Chiswick, apart from food stores like small Waitrose/M&S - but IF you needed big chain stores they are in Hammersmith. Good Waterstones and discount book shops in Chisw.

Ah, likeatonneofbricks - I think you are right, prices in QCG have gone up since we've been gone... we must have sold at just the wrong time!

Rent. Why would you buy when you don't know where you want to live plus London prices are in for a big drop soon?