Where to buy?!?!

[katmayhan]

My partner and I are looking to stop renting in London and get on the property ladder. We both work in London, he in Charing Cross and I in East London, so are looking for somewhere under an hour commute-wise. Our budget is around £240,000 for a two/three bed, which I know isn't a great deal, but we would be looking to buy a project rather than the finished article. There are lots of houses within budget popping up in the Erith/ Dartford area but I can't say I've ever heard good things. Does anyone know of any areas that would be suitable?? Not overly fussy just hoping to feel safe walking home at night!! Any help much appreciated!

Don't buy in Dartford it is truly awful. How about Tonbridge? Good for commuting but cheaper than Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells.

Erith/Belvedere/Bexleyheath all nice (some roads better than others, as in all areas)...and you'll find something just about in budget if you are buying a fixer upper.

Trains on the Woolwich line will give you access to Charing Cross and East London (DLR from Woolwich Arsenal) and Crossrail is going in at Abbey Wood which is making house prices rise. Train travel is £130 a month to London from Abbey Wood.

We are moving to Thornton Heath. Prices have gone up there quite a lot over the past few months.
Yes it doesn't have nice shops etc but I'm sure things will pop up over the coming years & it's very close to crystal palace.
It's a 23min direct train from TH into Victoria.

Croydon? You've got the ELL from
West Croydon and the mainline to London Bridge from East Croydon. There's a lot of investment in the area (Westfield) and lots of green space.

Oh, and I wouldn't buy around west Croydon, but we live on the outskirts and I've never felt unsafe walking home.

We have lived in bexleyheath for 8 years. Would highly recommend it. We are moving soon further into Kent as we need a bigger house. But will be sad to leave.