Where to move in London?

[MoleGrey]

I'm hoping for some advice! My partner and I are looking to buy a larger property soon (currently have 1 bed flat, looking to upgrade to at least 2 bedrooms). We currently live in Norwood Junction, which we bought due to cost and transport links, but don't like the area as it's very run down and has probably the worst litter problem I've seen ever. I've previously lived in Clapham, Brixton and Kennington, all of which I liked.

We have a budget of 550k. Does anyone have any suggestions of areas to look at where we might get something decent for the price? We would like good transport and to feel safe walking around, with some nice pubs. Schooling is currently not a huge factor as we don't plan to have children for another 3 or 4 years. I feel like my knowledge of house buying in London is very poor!

I know everyone pimps their own bit of London so I’m going to pimp the loveliness of Blackheath. Direct trains to Victoria (and Charing Cross/canning street). It’s utterly LOVELY and posh as fuck. You walk for 5 minutes over the Heath to Greenwich Park and all of the amenities of Greenwich are accessible.

Blackheath itself is a triangle like Crystal Palace but er... even nicer restaurants, cafes (the Ivy Cafe and a lovely new waffle/crepe place). Farmers market on Sundays, loads to do, really green area (not suburban feeling imo)

You will get a great 2 bed with a garden - there are loads for sale next to the park (10 minutes from the station) or this one right next to the station. Lots of choice.

I cannot stress too much how nice this area is.

North of river look at N Finchley - good for families, transport links and great schools?

Ooh watching this thread intently as I’m also looking to buy a 2 bed flat. I’d definitely take at London Fields if you like a creative, arty, liberal vbe. I’ve found a lovely 2 bedroom flat with a garden just moments away from Broadway market that I’m viewing tomorrow. A vey genrified area and people are really friendly.

Looked at a few flats in Islington and West Hampstead yesterday but nothing really stood out. Good luck on your property search!

I would also bear in mind that some parts of London have changed hugely (in some cases beyond recognition) in the last few years - so recommendations from those who live there now, plus a really good look round yourself, are likely to be your most fruitful methods. In terms of other areas, I know you know Kennington and Brixton but have you looked around Oval? It doesn’t have as much in the immediate area as the other places but for that reason can be very good value.

Wapping?

Furzedown? It's a leafier area between Tooting and Streatham, slightly cheaper because a bit further from stations, but you can still walk to the station fairly easily. You don't mention kids, but the schools are good. There are a lot of more expensive houses, but there are still a few like this -
which you could probably negotiate down given the market

and the odd fixer up

Sorry, I missed that you said schooling not an issue!

Brockley or telegraph hill, zone 2 but has more of a leafy suburb feel, trains to Victoria from nunhead and easy connection to jubilee line at Canada Water.

Some options:

Tressillian Road, Brockley
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-52736592.html

Tressillian Road, Brockley
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-63502786.html

This one is a 3 bed with v easy access to the station and shops Cranfield Road, Brockley
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-68448545.html

Smaller 2 bed but lovely garden and close to the park Waller Road, Telegraph Hill, SE14
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-50712600.html

Tooting?

Well, if you think you might like like more of a suburban feel, I’d recommend Sutton. Direct trains to Victoria and the City so the commute would be easy. For 550k you’d get a house (3 bed with parking and garden). The crime rate is amongst the lowest in London and schools amongst the best in the country- so a fab place to settle down.

If you’re not at that stage yet, though, and would prefer a more urban area close to central London, then you might just be able to get a pretty central 2 bed, eg Bayswater or near London Bridge. Personally, I’d much prefer that to locations like Brixton, Streatham, Leyton or Walthamstow - I find them to be really overpriced armpits (no offence to anyone as I know some people like that slightly rough, dirty vibe).

Telegraph hill or Nunhead? You could probably get a nice two bed flat there. Decent transport links from Peckham and new cross gate. I've not traveled from Nunhead but I think there's a Victoria train.

move a couples of miles up to Crystal Palace. For example:
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-52118847.html

If you’re not at that stage yet, though, and would prefer a more urban area close to central London, then you might just be able to get a pretty central 2 bed, eg Bayswater or near London Bridge.
*
Jojo* could you post some examples? Never been able to find anything for that money in those areas.

Bold fail Jojo

I live in Streatham. I don't like the armpit vibe. I just couldn't afford two beds anywhere better!

I love Walthamstow, where I've lived for over 20 years. Daughter grew up here and plans to return this year. Lots of interesting, creative, socially engaged people. I never walk the dog without chatting to someone. Great pubs, restaurants, cafes, market. Brilliant transport. And it's now been re engineered for safer cycling/ reduced car use, which is controversial but I like it. Back on my bike!
It does have urban problems, as does much of London. But I wouldn't enjoy a more suburban environment.

Sheepy, here are some options - budget end of the market but there are options with over half a million to spend

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-50480952.html

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-50837403.html

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-52830186.html

And around zone 3, I’d probably favour somewhere like Earlfield in that budget for a flat.

Think how long you want to stay in this flat. You are going to be paying £20k in stamp duty, you don't want to be moving too soon.

Really have a think about your lifestyle - what do you do after work, how do you get to work, where do you see friends, where do your friends live now? What do you see yourself doing in 3 or 5 years time?

@JoJoSM2 that first one is not even 500 sq foot!!!! That is NOT acceptable space for a 2 bed flat for 2 people to live in.

Wanstead is green safe very middle class , fantastic primary schools, all kids have professional parents and are nice, great shops, cool pubs inc The Duke, 2 tubes

10m from Olympic Park, Hackney canal, 15m taxi ride to shoreditch, 1m to Westfield. Absolutely love living here

@JoJoSM2 I love Earlsfield but you'd be pushed to get a decent 2 bed there for £550K! We have lived there, but can't afford to any more.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-63875638.html

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-52352961.html

Forest hill? You could get a 3 bed flat for that budget.

Leafy, good community, lots of local businesses and good transport links.

Where do you need to get to for work OP? I'm definitely a North London girl but that's no good if one of you works in Croydon!

We're in Harringay and you can get 2 bed garden flats around here and in parts of (slightly nicer!) Crouch End within your budget. £550k goes much further towards Tottenham but personally I wouldn't want to buy over that way despite the Victoria line being far superior to the Piccadilly line! We saw places in Stokie/Stamford Hill too and if I was looking again, I'd look further up towards Bounds Green/Bowes Park as well to get more space.

Jojo those are leasehold with under 90 years remaining (68 and 82 years where that info's given) so OP would struggle to get a mortgage on them.