If you love London but cant afford to live there, where would you go?

[kissmyheathenass]

Having moved away 14 years ago, we are totally priced out of the London housing market. I am so so bored with where I live, (south coast dull retiremnt place) I yearn for city life. Where can I find a city like London but with lower prices (350,000 ish for a family house) AND good schools - primary and secondary.

OP I suppose Liverpool is a bit wet but significantly less wet and cold than Manchester ime . It very much has its own sense of identity and people really are very friendly.

Going by our local news, gun crime seems to have subsided massively in Nottingham in the last few years but I know what you mean!

I wouldn't have thought you would do much better than whatmatters flat in Clapham North. I would prioritise location over period/kerb appeal. We rented a big victorian house in a not great part of zone 3 I thought it was miserable.

I'm not quite getting why Clapham North (zone 2, 14 mins to London Bridge) is seen as central whereas Brockley (zone 2, 8 mins to London Bridge) is seen as the suburbs.

I'm rather impressed with whatmatters's Marylebone flat, though. I could definitely handle a morning run round Regent's Park rather than (my beloved) Hilly Fields!

that's not a part of Clapham I'd want to live near...it's either just behind or part of a council estate were there is a lot of gang crime/trouble.

(Apols for further thread hijacking but just wanted to thank LadyW for the fab links! I love the Christmas house! Am thinking of moving from ED.)

Have you had any further thoughts op?

ladywellian I think it's because Brockley feels suburban whereas Clapham definitely does not.

Clapham is everything I hate about London (and I have lived here all my adult life). It would be bottom of my list of destinations ... yes, even after Newham or Deptford or Dollis Hill or any of those other zone 3 no-mans-lands.

Blimey Mintyy, I live in Clapham and, while I don't think it's all that (definitely not as great as the property prices would imply), what upsets you so much about it? It can definitely be a bit smug but it's/we're not that bad .

LadyW: I think the train times are a bit misleading. I've just looked on the rail website and there are four trains an hour at this time of night from Brockley, there are probably more likely to be at least 10 or 12 from Clapham North. The underground is more reliable than the overground - I have rarely known a train go straight into a major railway terminus, there is usually several minutes a couple of hundred metres away waiting for a free platform especially during rush hour.

I'd move back to Manchester in a shot. Except all our family are around London.

I get where you're coming from mintyy, I feel like that about east dulwich a bit - I think you have similair views, don't meant to offend. I would hate to leave in that between the commons bit, but I really don't think the rest of it is that bad.

ladywellian I am roughly a neighbour of yours, but I kind of agree with lala, though the east London line is tube like enough to feel okay

New overground line is fine but problem is is that it doesn't go through central London.

Yes, definitely feeling jaded about ED! Not offended at all .

Lala - There's just so much traffic and too many Hooray Henrys in Clapham. And, sure, there is the common, but its not exactly charming is it? Just a huge flat piece of grass bisected by roads. But, no offence (as my 9 year old ds would say!).

None taken . The common is weirdly flat and uninteresting, there are lots of wealthy people who live in their own little self-regarding bubbles but they're generally ok once you get to know them. And you can learn a lot about pointless house improvements living in this area .

Liverpool, Liverpool, Liverpool!!! Great city, great nightlife, full of life and energy. There are some great places to live too it's not all poor and run down. If you like bohemian bars and restaurants on your doorstep try lark lane/Sefton park area (ten min drive from city centre too).

Right then - thanks everone
these are my shortlisted places - have spent hours googling, on zoopla, rightmove etc. How the bugger did we manage before internet?

Liverpool (lovely school, St Michaels, in Crosby, does that count?)
Sheffield - thanks for list Mumzy
Newcastle becuase I love the Geordie accent most of all
Leeds - my young, gorgeous cousin lives there and will hate me for stalking him and ruining his crred
Birmingham - have to convice dh on this one but I think it looks great.

Liverpool, Liverpool, Liverpool!!!

Assuming you don't need a local job of course, unless you work in the public sector but even they are becoming quite scare.

I would choose Sheffield or Birmingham.

I grew up just outside Sheffield and its a fab city. It's grown up so much in the last 10 years or so too and seems to be a really fun place to live.

Birmingham is my home now. I would never have expected to end up here but I love it.

Norwich is fantastic and has loads going on but it's not the slightest bit like London. I moved here from London two years ago and am just about getting over the culture shock

Hi,

Did you move from out of London? I am making a film for the BBC with Evan Davis about people who have been priced out of London, i'd be very keen to speak to anyone whose experienced this in the last couple of years.

Thanks a lot

Sarah

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