Places to live within reach of Croydon/Selhurst, Kingston, Balham

[Muminwestlondon]

I currently live in central London but we have to move. I work at Croydon and DH at Balham we have a DD at school in Kingston. Our budget is likely to be £1200 or less for a two bedroom place on a long rent. Any recommendations for nice areas to live and doable commuting times?

If you've got to be in Balham, Kingston and Croydon, I would suggest somewhere along the line into Victoria (your daughter would need to change trains at Clapham Jcn) as that would give you and your husband direct trains to Balham and many stations in Croydon. You could probably find something in Streatham Hill, definitely in West Norwood or Gipsy Hill/Crystal Palace (although that would make quite a long journey for your daughter). Alternatively, an ex-council flat near Battersea Park station or around Clapham Jcn itself.

Thanks for that. I was thinking in terms of Croydon as DD2 is applying to the Brit School and DD1 only has another year at her school in Kingston but it is good to know there are others.

I don't feel comfortable about leaving central London and would like Clapham Junction or Battersea and was even considering shared ownership in Battersea, but we don't want to be tied to a property that I would never be able to afford to own in full or sell.