New area, new house, £250-£350k

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We currently live in Kensington in a one bed rented flat

Love the area, walking commute for me, cycle commute for dh

However we really would like somewhere a little bigger and are looking to buy

What areas would you recommend?

Ideally I need to be able to get to Kensington in 20 mins/30 max ( long hours, and can start at 7am and finish at 11pm, so would need easy access to bus/ tubes and for them to be running still late at night- no dodgy areas really as want to feel safe late at night)

Dh needs to get to covent garden. Would like to still cycle if possible but tube fine otherwise

Our rented place last sold 4 years ago for £385k ( one bed), so it's not really in budget to buy

So, so far we have looked in parsons green. Won't work as the district line south to there is really shut for matenience far to often atm to be convinent. And Ealing which I hear good and bad things about so have no idea what to think. Still a contender I think.

Can anyone find anything decent for this budget? I at Lower end then happy to renovate.

Challenge- 2 bed, with balcony or garden, near transport, £250-350k

Based on my / my friends' recent house hunting experiences my initial reaction is that 2 bed, with balcony or garden, near good transport and not in a dodgy area might not be realistic on your budget. Sorry.

I think on that kind of budget you would need to be prepared to compromise on something. You will probably get some of the things you want but perhaps not all. I assume you are already speaking to estate agents and looking on Zoopla and Rightmove to get an idea of areas and prices.

I know a couple who recently bought a two bed flat for around the £250k mark in London, but I personally would not want to live in the area they have choosen (they call it "up and coming" and quite like the fact it is a bit "edgy", but I personally would not feel safe walking around there alone after dark). They do not have a garden (but do live near a park), no tube station near by and the flat needed quite a lot of work doing to it. However, they seem to be happy with it which is what counts.

Friends who have bought in what I consider "nicer" areas, nearer to transport and with gardens have tended to pay around the £400k mark for two bed flats.

I think for your budget if you want a nicer, safer area and insist on two beds and a garden and being near transport you might have to compromise and be prepared to commute from somewhere a bit further out. This was the conclusion I came to during my own house hunt. I now have a longer commute, but I have a nice three bedrooms, garden, and live in a very nice area where I feel safe, which was the absolute non-negotiable priority for me.

I would put your priorites in order of importance, then chat to some estate agents and get their thoughts.

Acton's probably your best bet, if you wanna stay north of the river. For instance:
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-33733744.html

Have you looked at Herne Hill (SE24)?

It's been a long time since I lived there and it was very 'dogs on string' then, but have been back since and it's now naice. Cafes', wine bars etc...

You have overground to Victoria (8 mins) and the Thameslink to City. Tube is a short bus or walk to Brixton. You have Brockwell Park and the Lido, Dulwich around the corner.

Thanks

I think Herne hill is too far tbh. If I finish work like tonight at 11.30pm in Kensington, I would still have a 10 min walk to station, then wait for tube to get to Victoria station. Then by the time I'm there its after midnight and the trains are pretty much finished so would be stuck.

I think it needs to be close enough that I can take a cab if on lates and not cost a fortune! ( is only about £6 for me to can home atm)

I can drive but sold both cars a few years ago when moved central as had nowhere to keep them and nowhere to park at work

Battersea?
Elephant & Castle?
Camberwell?

You can get a nicely done 2 bed house with reasonable/compact garden for about 300k in e17 5 mins from tube. On victoria line. Annual residents permit very reasonable if you got another car. Deprived area and east london is different to west but if you choose well routes to tube ok even late.

I'm in Ealing, you would get a 2 bed with outside space for the upper end of your budget. You could get the piccadilly line into work, it's really regular and reliable.

Look near Northfields, South Ealing, Ealing Common or Ealing Broadway tubes.

Also try Acton, prices are starting to go up because crossrail will be built soon. You'll make money on any property you buy there. Look near Acton mainline, you can get the overland train to Paddington (7 minutes) then hop on the tube. Crossrail will also stop at Hanwell and Ealing Broadway so try there too.

This one is does say sold but could fall through in this day and age. It's beautiful and I think in the area you want.
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-31539751.html