Where in London to definitely avoid (no judgement)

[PenisesAreNotPink]

I've been researching areas, every time I find a property in a road I like I do a google search on crime - and obviously lots of areas that come up are rife with crimes I'm particularly nervous of owning teenagers, knife crime.

So what areas/roads are particularly challenging?

My current favourite areas are kilburn, cricklewood, kennington, borough, Greenwich, Westminster (westminsters my favourite but only get 300 square feet max for my money and I really need a 2 bed)

Yep, location more important than space as looking to downsize. Bit confused at 'not concerned about green space and community' since the areas I've picked have lovely green spaces

Since we're likely to be living there in retirement I think crime is a factor and it's put me off a couple of places I was interested in - Caledonian road in Kings Cross and Lordship Lane in Dulwich.

I don't need schools, dd will be at uni and just possibly needing a small bedroom for a couple of years until she sorts herself out - so would only be sleeping in the kitchen if I had to for a short time

Im struggling to understand why anyone would want to live in Westminster? And id be surprised if you could buy a cupboard under the stairs for £400k.

If you look outwards a bit then £400k could actually buy you something reasonably nice. Is there a reason you have to be so central? Id second the person upthread who says look at Crossrail areas that will be up and coming in the next few years.

Hackney, Harlesden, Maida Vale, Tottenham, Willesden, parts of Wembley, Acton is also a bit meh and depressing I find.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-32187546.html

This is the current Westminster one I like

The building looks nice.

I really wouldn't be put off by crime - even in old age, you are very unlikely to be victims of crime unless you walk the street wearing a £25k watch. Burglary is a possibility but a flat will be reasonably secure and nicer areas tend to be more burgled.

It seems an odd starting point for a property search IYSWIM - London really has a very low mugging and assault rate.

How long is the leasehold? It seems suspiciously cheap.

I lived in London for ten years and felt much safer there than I ever did in my home town, mainly because there's usually always someone else around. We were burgled once, but that sort of thing happens all the time all over the country. I never once encountered anyone with a knife - certainly I was never threatened or ever saw one. These sorts of crime occur within pockets of society, often victims are known to the perpetrators.

You can't really specify which areas are good and bad - it can change from one street to the next! That said, I wouldn't choose to live in Tottenham or Elephant and Castle. I've lived v near both areas and both have very little to recommend them unfortunately.

Retirement ? Are you old enough to be offered retirement properties or to need a lift?

I would definitely want a lift if it was above first floor.

Not retiring yet but would want the option to stay for a while as I've already moved 28 times.

penises how many people would be living there? It looks ridiculously small with no storage and the living area doesn't even have a window.

I would also think that living in that sort of area in retirement would be very isolating.

Unfortunately can't imagine at that price that the lease would be guaranteed to last your lifetime. Saw a central London flat recently advertised at a really high price and had a lease of 35 years!

The living area not having a window would be awful!!

Have you been to all of these places OP? I understand you want to be central, but I wouldn't want to live somewhere that emptied at the weekends and in the holidays because every other property is owned either by a wealthy banker, politician or foreigner who only visits twice a year/Mon-Fri. But if you don't mind isolation maybe it's for you.

In addition to asking about the length of lease, also ask about the service charge, it can be very high in some of the blocks.

Oh yes good point. There's a beautiful block near me where you could pick up a two bed for £400k but the service charge is £14,000 a year at the moment at the leases aren't long

Hence it being 400k not 600k

christ, that flat is the literal definition of a shoebox. It's awful and in an area that's dead at the weekend. Seriously, it's a Mon-Fri pad for a rich banker with a wife in a McMansion in Surrey.

Have you looked in Marylebone? If you're happy with tiny you might find something up there, and at least it's lively all the time.

what about this - lift and at least all the rooms are separate and have a window.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-45741043.html

Was going to suggest Marylebone ish. What about the other side of the river?

OP - why do you want to live where you say you do? Looking to come in from the suburbs for a bit more life? Want to go to the theatre a lot? Want to be able to walk everywhere? Or do you just work in westminster? There are so many good bits of London!

Marylebone place looks okay, but surely that's a crash-pad, not a home?

yes, of course it is, but judging by the flat the OP posted, that's what she's after!

Why isn't that a home? It's got a bedroom, living room, kitchen and bathroom. Basically what dp and I live in...

That Marylebone one is a very short lease - think it's 12 years.

The one you've posted MrsdeVere looks promising but no pictures of it at all - it's already on my short list.

I want a normal length lease though just in case I stay or need to sell on.

I know they're crash pads but it would be a radical down size for us - if you've no kids/garden then you need a lot less.

I'm partial to Westminster because it's so quiet at weekends - most people go home then so no all night parties and loads of parking - it's only 10 minutes walk from the action at the South bank or into town.

Not to tempt fate, but I've lived in London (various parts of Zones 1 and 2) for getting on twenty years and I, and everyone I know, are largely unaffected by violent and antisocial behaviour/crimes.

If you Google crime anywhere you'll find some horror stories. Personally I'd rather walk home alone down a city street with corner shops, minicab offices etc open than through a quiet small town or suburb with no signs of life.

Speaking of no signs of life, Westminster is tomblike at weekends. I agree that Fitzrovia would be a better choice if you're happy with a small flat and want to live in the centre of things. Or Bloomsbury.

I'm waiting to hear about a job in Westminster too