Who knows London really well?

[Namechangearoonie123]

If you were going to buy a one bed flat which would you choose out of these areas?

They are all really small - 350 feet to 450 feet. And really close to Central London

1. Snowsfield in Borough behind the Shard

1. Bloomsbury, the smallest

1. Kennington but about 5 minutes walk from the Bridge so not really into South London, the largest

1. Westminster, as small as Bloomsbury

1. Swiss Cottage, about 15 minutes walk from Regents Park

They are all madly expensive. Selling a 3 bed in Bucks to move in and downsize for middle age.

Any thoughts?

I was thinking about keeping my clothes in the garage and swopping over seasonally but if they'd perish there would be no point

I work near Rochester Row and it's lovely round there, very central but not too much hustle and bustle in that particular bit. Easy to walk to loads of places.

I'd go for Borough or Westminster. But that's because they would be the most handy locations for me, considering my interests and the things I like to do. You could walk almost everywhere I'd want to go, really, and for those things outside walking distance the tube lines would fit (and of course for mainline trains, getting out of London, there's London bridge and waterloo and blackfriars within walking distance of Borough, and Victoria and waterloo within easy walking distance of westminster) - but perhaps not for you, depending on your interests. Kennington is not that well connected, and not in walking distance to the things I'd need/want. But I know people who live there (in fact I lived there myself briefly a long time ago) and they love it. Some nice indian restaurants too!

If I was buying a pied à terre in London (ha ha) I'd go for Borough or Covent Garden. Or maybe, just maybe, Barbican/Finsbury/old street sort of area.

...why not rent for 6 months first?...I agree that it depends on what you see yourself doing with your time and how often...ie if say you see yourself 3 x a week doing all the theater, museum stuff -- then go central to Bloomsbury or Westminster - where you can walk everywhere and do not have to use public transport....I have lived in Bloomsbury and depending where you are it is nearer to Regents Park than Swiss Cottage. There are also a lot of garden squares for your green fix. (I don't get Swiss Cottage at all = busy polluted major route into London with suburban shops).

But depending on where you are specifically there can be an issue with light -- some roads with v tall buildings block sunlight to pavement and it can be a bit oppressive. So would chose a top floor flat

However if you want to live in a villagey/neighbourhood community - and see yourself hanging out at the local bistro etc then I would look at more interesting urban villages, Primrose Hill, Kentish Town, Islington, Maida Vale, Queens Park, Shoreditch etc....I (or family/friends) have lived in many of these urban villages and certainly for eating out, bars, cafes -- they are a much more authentic and better quality experience than others "up west".....we never go into town to socialize in bars/restaurants - much better vibe in the residential urban villages - away from the braying business people, gawky tourists or suburbans on a "big night out".

What is your own personal experience of these areas and what "life-style" do you see yourself getting out of the move....PS I am in Bucks now and this is also my downsizing ambition....

OP I lived v v close to Rochester Row. Great spot. Some decent food vans on weekdays in Strutton Ground. Easy groceries etc in pimlico. Loads of convenient buses on Victoria st and vauxhall bridge rd. Plus the best greasy spoon in the world is around the corner.

Pm me if you want more info!

yes, fabric could well go mouldy/get eaten by something in long term store in a damp garage. you'll need to downsize your clothing, I expect that like most people you have four times the amount that you need.

I did get away with storing bedding and a suitcase of clothes in an attic for several years; but fortunately it turned out to be a very draughty attic and of course it was getting heat from below. A blunder put some chair seats in a shed, they were only fit for the bin when we collected them.

Do you mean the Regency Cafe Mo ?

Love it there. They used to do a fab bacon sandwich.

I grew up in Kennington, my DH grew up in Westminster.

My H is a London cabbie of many years.

His advice "No contest, Bloomsbury". Apparently, it would suit you best for everything you need, including transport.

Absolutely, quangle. I dream about that place.

If you'll go ex local authority you can have a house on our street in vauxhall for 500k.

Otherwise, kennington is lovely. Probably the one of those areas which will have the most real people, and has the moat villagey feel. After that Bloomsbury.

I find Rochester row a slightly odd place. Further down into the millbank estate is nice but Rochester row itself feels very officey, not so much a place to live.

Having said that, my husband loves the regency cafe. Has breakfast there most mornings.

I love Bloomsbury. Borough would also be a hot contender. I lived in Kennington for a white and really liked that although not really central. I could hear Big Ben strike before I fell asleep and a lot of politicians have their london homes there, also lots of cabbies which meant getting a cab and a sense of real london community existed.
For me living centrally I found it v important to be near nice square or parks. I had both these in Bloomsbury and Kennington

So what is your budget, op? Tbh I wouldn't live in the middle of London unless I could afford a proper flat (as opposed to a studio or crash-pad).

You can park really easily around Rochester Row/Vincent Square at most times - especially with a resident's permit. It is usually quiet and there are lots of good restaurants within easy staggering distance.

It's a lovely walk through St. James' Park and on up to Piccadilly. That would be my choice. I have walked to Islington from there too, but I am a bit stupid.

What about South Kensington or near Hyde park. Depends on your budget though!

Westminster or Bloomsbury. Westminster is deserted at the weekends and restaurants aren't great at weekends also. At James's tube is quite quiet and handy for most places. Lovely walk through the Parks to West End
Plus low council tax at Westminster. Resale or letting guaranteed top dollar especially in a general election year.

I only know Kennington really well. I know it's the largest of your possible properties but I wouldn't, I really wouldn't. It's the least salubrious of all the choices and personally I'd go for safe over size every time.

I'd be inclined to feel the same about the Borough. In your shoes I'd go for Westminster, for the ease of access to everything the city has to offer, or Swiss Cottage.

I can't believe you've found somewhere in Bloomsbury for £400k OP!

Great idea though.

Dining around Westminster isn't amazing but it's so close to Soho that it's not too much hassle. There is a wonderful Italian restaurant serving Venetian cicchetti on Vauxhall Bridge Road called Tozi, which opened about 18 months ago. I don't often eat out for Italian but this place is great.

For me it would be Westminster because living very centrally was amazing when I lived in London. Very safe, easy to walk anywhere, no need to tube or bus to work, easy to rent or sell, size won't matter - its not a long term thing? You won't need the space, and its a different way of living.

I second hoobypickypicky, I am not that clued up about London, but a friend of mine lived in Kennington, and I used to go and see her frequently. I made the journey on my own nearly every time and I found it pretty scary. This says something, as I was living in Manor Park, just south of Ilford at the time, where there were quite a few prostitutes and I was accosted fairly regularly by potential clients (honestly was just in work trousers and a smart top). That felt less scary than Kennington to me.