Where to live in London

[astormgivenflesh]

Hey all

Really struggling to figure out where to live in London - we currently rent a 2 bed in south east for £1400 a month which is the top end of our budget tbh. Recently found out I'm pregnant and want to move somewhere bigger if possible. It's not a fantastic area yet flats around us are now going for £1800+ inc the one above us (converted Victorian house) so we couldn't afford to stay here

We've been looking around and everywhere seems to be min £1700 for a 2 bed, £1800 for 3. We've looked into moving further out to suburbs but the slightly cheaper rent is then off set by high travel costs for DH to get to work in central London. I'm really freaking out, there seems to be NOTHING at all, estate agents keep showing us 3/4 beds at £2400 a month and it's a toss up between crying or laughing. WHO can afford these??

Are there any hidden secret boroughs with decent rents and transport links worth looking at?? Any other suggestions?! Commuter towns such as high Wycombe/ St Albans seem great until monthly travel card is £450 plus tube and never seeing husband as he spends his life on the train! At the moment he cycles every day so that's free obv.

I'm panicking basically, I work from home so that's fine but DH has a great job he doesn't want to leave but how is £1800+ affordable for a couple??

You don't need somewhere bigger though do you? You could try getting somewhere either with outside space or near a park and read some small space living ideas ?

You can get a 3 bed in Lee/Grove Park/Hither Green for 1700 or less.

South east londons your best bet, 14 minutes to the south bank from Hither Green. Closer from Lewisham.

At the moment we have a massive garden and are minutes from a big park but that space isn't usable or useful! I would stay here but it's freezing and v prone to damp and mood despite our best efforts! Only 3 radiators in whole flat and teeny tiny kitchen

£1400 is top top budget which is why we're struggling to find somewhere I think. Thank you so much for your response and suggestion xxx

Where does your DH work?

Try Carshalton walking distance to zone 4 station

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-62363873.html

Oh god if the garden isn't useful then it's just upkeep for the sake of it - no wonder you want to move

Croydon or South Croydon? Leafy Victorian conversions. Less than 20 mins to Victoria or London Bridge. Two beds £1200

This one is on quieter road
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-44480706.html

As your partner works in London, it really doesn't matter where you live. I have found that to be true. The rent might go down, but travel will go up! If you're going to look in SE London, take a look at Bromley, which is where I live. Its zone 5, but you can be in London in 20-30 minutes. A monthly travelcard is £212. I think 3 beds range from 1400-1800.

Thank you so much for suggestions! Fast falling out of love with London tbh! DH salary sounds great on paper until you factor in extortionate rents and travel costs

Looking at suggestions now! xxx

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-44427699.html
Isleworth is nice. Easy to get into town plus close to Richmond and Kew Gardens.

Ham? Lovely common and an easy cycle to Richmond for shopping and entertainment as well as being on river and Richmond park. This one is very near some excellent schools:

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-61906805.html

You can always make an offer.

How about the East? Good links on the Central Line. Some good value in Leytonstone area

Where is he travelling to?

He needs to get to Liverpool Street or London Bridge as he works in between the two!

Catford is great. It's really on the up. Very fast links to London Bridge.

Sangley Road London SE6
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-61976954.html

2 bed house. Small yard. Not far from station.

Best of luck.

Look up Hayes, Kent. It's near Bromley but smaller - nice little place!! Shortlands is also nice around there. Both have mainline railways too

Come round my neck of the woods

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-46222441.html

Split level 3 bed flat with garden and trains from Norwood Junction to London Bridge take 15 mins.

Scribblegirl, LOVE that flat so much!! Thank you!!

Crystal palace, 3 bed flats for around £1500-£2000. Plenty of parks (and dinosaurs!)
Lots of transport links into town, e.g. London bridge, Victoria, plus over-ground.

Glad you like it SE25 is fab. It's a bit shabby around the edges in part (although I've not seen many bits of South East London that aren't!) but period style property's affordable and there's a good few green spaces and independent cafes. Stanley Halls do lots of community projects and things for kids, and there's a new hipster pub which seems to be doing quite well in the first few weeks. The transport links are what clinched it for us (I'm in the City and love that I can be at my desk within 45 mins when Southern aren't striking!).

If he needs to get to Liverpool St then look out East or into Essex maybe? Chingford perhaps?

I'm with you OP. Pregnant with our first child and in a 2 bed in south east London (also WFH/ run my own business). We're intending to stick it out where we are for the time being and probably look to move next year, but I've been keeping my eye on the market and I do wonder how people afford it. We've been considering Catford, Beckenham, Sydenham, and around Norwood. Currently in Peckham and will be very sad to leave.

Walthamstow? On the Victoria line, 20 mins from central London. And you always get a seat in the morning!

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-61388462.html

3 bed for £1400.

Or Leyton - Central line?

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-56424289.html

I live in Blackhorse Road area, on the Victoria line and train line to Liverpool Street. You can rent a three bed house and garden for £1700-£1900 or a three bed flat for less.
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/find.html?locationIdentifier=STATION%5E1055&minBedrooms=3&maxPrice=1500&numberOfPropertiesPerPage=24&radius=0.5&sortType=6&index=0&viewType=LIST&areaSizeUnit=sqft&currencyCode=GBP