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 would avoid any location that means having to cross London at rush to get to work, especially if you need to change lines. Walthamstow might be ok for Victoria but it’s a bit less convenient for Westminster. Quite a few places suggested are east. A horrible commute will take the shine off any new location.

Areas between Kingston and Sutton might be worth considering.

Forest Hill is a good shout. Good train connection. Nice restaurants and stuff.

This is a beaut of a flat in Forest Hill.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-71306030.html

Hi everyone, thanks so much for your replies. I think I am quite keen for it to be furthest out of zone 3, whilst we are fortunate enough to be in a position to buy most of our friends rent in zone 2 as we are only mid-20s. We don't anticipate moving for a while until schooling/space is an issue and we are quite far off thinking about children let alone them being old enough to go to school! Having said that, we would like the second bedroom to be a functional size (far too many places advertised as a 2 bed and the 2nd bedroom is a literal cupboard )

Some really good suggestions, I'm going to spend some time researching I think and some weekends to go and visit the areas and see what they feel like thanks again everyone

The Streatham end of Norbury, near the common is nice.

Go for this whole house, MoleGrey, in great part of area already recommended by lots of others in this thread... near tube, great community with friendly Bushwood Area Residents Association, loads of new shops, restaurants and cafe right on your doorstep. New ones coming soon like Eat17 eg refurbprojects.com/2018/03/06/Eat17-unveil-plans-for-new-east-london-eatery-and-grocers/

www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/46971461?search_identifier=5ed61f60586602d3ab6212c3d7788959

seven sisters in tottenham is very up and coming and there are some nice open spaces. victoria line, so easy to get about.

If you can stretch to it the suggestion by E11Millie is a good one - Bushwood is a little haven of leafy suburbia tucked between Leytonstone High Street (lots of nice cafes and pubs etc) and the very southern tip of Epping forest (enormous oak trees in Bush Wood giving way to grass on Wanstead flats). Carlton Road is just behind Leytonstone Mosque which makes it feel even safer as there are often people coming and going (quietly!) early in the morning and late at night.

Otherwise two bed flats in the area would be well within your budget.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-53116752.html

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-71873711.html

I can highly recommend the Finchleys in North London. We moved here from zone 2 Camden borough last year and absolutely love it. Suburban, leafy, safe but with excellent transport links (zone 4 on the Northern line, so London is your, well, oyster!!). Our two bed Victorian terrace cost 570k, but we’re very close to both tube station and high street, so I’m sure a slightly less optimal road would have houses at 550k, or there are lovely maisonettes to be had.

On the tube map, look up the stretch from East Finchley to Woodside Park. HTH!

OP - I know it’s a little cheeky - but I am currently selling my 2bed house in Leyton, 10mins from tube which is in your budget.
Dawlish Road, Leyton, E10
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-53282196.html

Nice house Katff!

Streatham Vale, 3 bed terrace with garden under 500k, gentrifying rapidly so good pubs and 20 mins into Victoria.

Like the house Katff. It's just what my daughter needs but a couple of years too soon!