Where in London?

[katienana]

DH, DS(2) and I might be living in London for 3-4 months. Budget is £750-£1000 per week for a 2 bed place. We would like to be fairly central, since whole point of us living in London is so DH can work. Have no idea really what is a good area, from my own point of view I would love to be near a park, supermarket, cafes and good transport links. Where should I demand suggest to DH?

Should add, we want to be North London and any commute home will be via Kings Cross so guess that is a consideration.

Chalk farm? You have Primrose Hill and Regents Park (with the zoo) right on your doorstep, plus Camden with the nightlife, a couple of stops on northern line or bus to Kings Cross, and super easy to get into central London. Lots of nice cafes, supermarkets in Camden, etc.

That sounds ideal, thanks! I'll get searching - anyone know a good letting agent? (loaded question).

If you can spend as much as that why not live somewhere AMAZEBALLS like very central - Bloomsbury, Covent Garden - walk everywhere easily - loads of parks and museums 5 minutes walk away

If you've got 3-4000 a month to spend on rent you can get somewhere fab

Bloomsbury is nice with kids, but Covent Garden actually quite ropey (lots of drunks/needles etc)

Being able to walk everywhere would be good, DS is a bit too small to ditch the buggy but won't always go in it.

Marylebone is nice, Regents Park near by, nice cafes/shops etc but not crazy noisy at night (some quiet side streets with high flats).
Agree with other poster re Cov Garden. Bloomsbury has a great playground near Russell Square but is a bit busier traffic wise than some parts of Marylebone.
Alternatively you could try South Kensington - Natural history Museum, Science Museum etc nearby and relatively central/safe/quiet area.

Hempstead/Highgate

Hampstead not Hempstead

You should ring around letting agents and ask if they have properties that will be happy to let for that short.
I think the minimum contract is usually 6 months.
Maybe if owners are trying to sell and have already moved out?

I think it is possible to get short lets in London, as there are lots of people who only need somewhere on a month by month basis. I've been looking at Foxtons and found some great flats. I like the look of Hampstead and Kensington appeals as we've stayed there before in London so I feel like I know the area - although transport wise it was a bit of a trek though going via Olympia. Marylebone might be good, my great great grandparents lived in Marylebone, my G-G-Granddad was a coach driver (as in coach and horses)!

I'm sure you can, but not necessarily through usual letting agencies. More like tourism, I'd think.

I would really ring a couple of estate agents and ask about it before getting in love with flats.

Oh, actually, Rightmove do have a short let section

3 month contracts are quite common in London as you say katie. I'd second the PP who said Primrose Hill, if you can find something it really is a great place to live with DC's, it does feel like a village. Marylebone is lovely but feels very built up and in central London, whereas Primrose Hill is much more peaceful and leafy but gorgeous and Camden, Regents Park are literally on your doorstep, Hampstead and the Heath 10 minutes up the road, Marylebone 10 minutes bus or a nice walk through Regents Park, West End/Soho less than 20 mins on bus too. Its also very easy to get to Kings X, less than 10 mins from Chalk Farm tube to there....

You may also want to look at onefinestay - I know they sometimes do rentals for the kind of period you are looking for. Not only would you get a ready prepared house but the owners leave loads of local info - best coffee shops, nearest post office, favourite takeaways, things to do with DC's etc. If you give them a call they would make some enquiries for you and you may just come up lucky (if it appeals )

Really depends what sort of person you are.

You'll be near a park, supermarket and cafes pretty much no matter what, though in the centre centre the supermarkets and parks do tend to be a bit small!

With that much money, if it were me I would look to the immediate left and right of Upper St in N1 - the Barnsbury and Canonbury areas. Highbury fields nearby, supermarkets agogo, super quick into 'town' town but leafy enough to be a bit relaxed.

That said, those bits are very much guardian-reading types who fancy themselves cultural so if you're more of a shopping/glamour (though N1 is pretty glamorous also) person I'd look into Chelsea/Knightsbridge. If you're sporty, have a look at Clapham/Fulham. Chalk Farm/Primrose Hill also very nice, lots of finance workers. That part of town feels a wee bit like a gated community to me - which can be a good or bad thing.

Hampstead/Highgate very nice but actually a little bit of a pain to get into town, comparatively and more of a long term thing I think, than a 3 month thing.

For something more city you could also look into Farringdon or Bloomsbury. Or an apartment in the Barbican complex!

well, I'm a born-and-bred Londoner and I'd say if you have the opportunity to live centrally then do it. Bloomsbury and Marylebone would be fantastic.

Farringdon is a bloody nightmare with the meat market lorries and the cross rail lorries through the night - I work there (often late into the night) and no way would I want to live there with a young child!

Marylebone is lovely (and v close to Regents Park) - I've always found Chelsea/Knightbridge to be abit overrated. I have friends with children who lived in Bloomsbury but have moved abit further out as they said it was too much traffic noise so if going for Bloomsbury, pick your spot carefully.

Agree Hampstead and Highgate are a pain to get into town (the northern line is working ok at the moment but always v crowded and pretty much your only transport option from there).

Pimlico? Lovely villagey feel right in the centre of town. Very shop, direct tube hop from there to kings x. Victoria st is a short 5 min walk so you can access anywhere quickly, though most of the centre is walkable.

It's a short stroll to Buck Palace and the surrounding sights, including st James park which I think it utterly gorgeous

We're just about to rent our flat out in primrose hill for that budget. You can see pics here: www.johndwood.co.uk/property-to-rent/3-bedroom-property-in-Darwin-Court-NW1/PRH259379/
Primrose Hill is such a lovely place to live with children. It meets all your requirements and so much more.

I'd go with Primrose Hill too.
Hampstead just a bit too far out and traffic is a nightmare.

Marylebone is lovely. amazing shops and the park and zoo on your doorstep.

Kings Cross itself is really buzzing and exciting at the moment but probably more suitable to a couple than to kids

St john's wood worth considering too