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Original poster

Can you find me a London pad?

82 replies

JoJoSM2 · 25/06/2019 10:46

This is half-hypothetical as it's more of a medium-term plan for us. However, I know many people on here like to browse Rightmove and I'd like to start getting ideas.

So, the budget is roughly 1M, 3-bed preferred but a spacious 2-bed could also work. Needs to be in a pleasant area and convenient for going out in central London.

OP posts:
Sandybval · 27/06/2019 18:31

West Hampstead! Doesn't take long at all to get to zone 1, you have the jubilee line, plenty of bus stops and also Thameslink. Loads of independent cafes and shops one way, chains the other way, and relatively quiet for London but a fair bit going on. If youd be open to a spacious flat could get a 3 bed for well within budget. I would recommend it to anyone! And some greenery.

cardboard33 · 27/06/2019 18:47

I'd say Canada Water regenerated about ten years ago tbh! We first moved there in 2011 and it was nice then but still considered on the up, and now it's even nicer. I don't recall it being unclean, far from that given how much open space there is, obviously you're reliant on your neighbours looking after their own gardens too but you've got that everywhere. It's mostly a mix of mid to high income families and settled young professional couples who want a home rather than a good night out. After we moved out my friend bought a flat there (sold it last year though) and there was something new around the station (residential and commercial) every time we visited her. If I were in the market to buy in zone 1/2 then that's where I'd buy if I wanted somewhere that doesn't feel like London but totally is in London with excellent transport links etc.

Parsons Green is nice (also have a friend who lives there) but you're heavily dependent on the district line unless you're closer to Baron's Court too.

cardboard33 · 27/06/2019 18:56

I suppose it also depends what kind of property you want. If you're after a Victorian/Edwardian style property then Canada Water is not for you given everything is less than 30 years old, mostly since the millennium.

AquaPris · 27/06/2019 19:53

Wait you want a 3 bed house in zone 1 for £1m?

You could try Vauxhall but they will probably need renovations

AquaPris · 27/06/2019 19:55

Claylands Road, South Lambeth
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-79139003.html

Claylands Road Vauxhall SW8
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-59595792.html

This ones lovely
Vauxhall Grove, Vauxhall, London, SW8
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-73420166.html

Blue5238 · 27/06/2019 20:06

Canada water is souless and dull but zone 2. What do you want OP? A really nice property but zone 2/3? Something in zone 1? I between?
On your budget for a crash pad I'd go for something near London Bridge or a little further out but still walkable to there

sunshinesupermum · 27/06/2019 20:15

A lot of central London has fallen in price A LOT in 2018 (even over 20%)

Depends on what you consider central London. I'm in Putney where there are plenty of flats under £1 million but not many houses eg
this is a 2 bed at just under £1 million
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-66495202.html
This is a 3 bed at £900K www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-77818982.html
Southfields would be in your price range but otherwise think of well over £1 million for a decent 3 bed house (and prices won't go down because houses are in short supply)
Flats on the other hand, plenty of new build which are expensive. Be wary of both ground rent and service charges.

happychange · 27/06/2019 20:17

We lived in Highbury and loved it! Super close to central London with Victoria and Piccadilly line

BubblesBuddy · 27/06/2019 20:30

House 1 and 2 above are the same house. It’s not a bad area around there but some roads are clogged with traffic. Oval into central London is quick though. Kennington is more Villagey but prices are higher.

HeronLanyon · 27/06/2019 20:32

op I love extremely central and it is far less busy then zone 2. Honestly when I go to Islington or Holloway or Vauxhall, Chiswick etc that kind of distance out I find it too busy. There’s a kind of dougnut effect in some very central areas - Bloomsbury, Clerkenwell, parts of Holborn, firzrovia, Regent’s Park Marylebone, south ken etc. Pricey but some streets/areas are really quiet (less so than used to be but still better than inner suburbs).

Xenia · 27/06/2019 20:33

They just want a 3 bed flat and we have found lots at £1m including right in the centre of London.

Here is one in Marylebone www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-70168597.html

Original poster
JoJoSM2 · 27/06/2019 22:52

We do want to buy wisely. The place needs to be somewhere that we'd be happy staying for a few days and where we could see DS (or any future children) living for a few years. We do love central London and go to theatres, restaurants and events regularly. However, we do like peace and quiet so we need to find that compromise between relative peace and quiet and access to zone 1.

In terms of the property, just something that will feel pleasant to be in. Could be a flat with full height windows and nice views or a little terrace in a cute area. Things I'd find depressing would be basement or dingy flats, ugly blocks, being above a takeaway, near sth noisy etc
I've also had bad experiences with leaseholds and service charges so that's making me slightly apprehensive.

As we aren't in a desperate rush, I think I need to explore more areas in zones 1-2 as I don't know many of the areas mentioned that well. I'm mostly familiar with SW London.

Thank you for all the suggestions! I'm now keen to go exploring. Heron, it's very interesting about the donut effect and I'll check those areas out. Smile

OP posts:
TheVeryHungryTortoise · 02/07/2019 21:14

What about East Dulwich or Camberwell? We live in Camberwell and it's quite central without feeling really central.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-60903099.html

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-62256642.html

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-62672241.html

HundredMilesAnHour · 02/07/2019 23:08

I'd look at Wapping. It's lovely and quiet and feels off the beaten track but is just outside Zone 1 and is very accessible for the restaurants and bars of Shoreditch/Hoxton/Borough or even the West End. No problems getting taxis back to here in the wee hours.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-72597691.html

Or a riverside view perhaps?
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-71797489.html

Or a 3 bed penthouse:
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-71196301.html

HeronLanyon · 02/07/2019 23:13

I’d not advise Cromer street not the street but that block. The kings criss one is in the middle of soulless well appointed area of identikit new built blocks. Further south in. Bloomsbury (parts of) is quieter and more interesting (and more expensive though and not much on at the mo). Agree wapping a good choice.

another20 · 03/07/2019 08:27

Hundredmilesanhour - I linked to that Wapping penthouse up thread - wonderful isn’t it? Wapping isn’t to everyone’s tastes - some parts look like 80s new build docklands apartments that haven’t stood the test of time. It’s quite anonymous, not sure if there would be much community and only v few cafes, pubs, restaurants. But personally that would suit me - the river frontage apartments with a panoramic view to Tower Bridge are amazing.....and the old cobbled streets, ancient pubs (Prospect of Whitby etc) and theatre (Wilton’s Music Hall) give it a historic Dickensian atmosphere. It is also v quiet because there is v little traffic as it is a no through area and river side is a walkway. Agree great location for the more fun, creative, edgy, arty side of East London - though not green and leafy and lots of building of luxury flats on the outer edges which not sure will ever get bought (or at least lived in)

HundredMilesAnHour · 03/07/2019 10:53

not sure if there would be much community

I live quite close to Wapping and have friends there and there's actually a really nice little community. You have to make the effort to get involved but isn't that the same everywhere? I don't think it's anonymous at all - unless you want to be anonymous of course.

I would love to live in Wapping. I used to row on that stretch of water and have dreamily gazed at the riverside conversions far too many times. All that peace and quiet yet central London on your doorstep. And a Waitrose of course. The only thing that would bother me would be the lunchtime deluge of joggers (doing Canary Wharf to Tower Bridge and back).

Original poster
JoJoSM2 · 03/07/2019 11:30

Wapping isn’t to everyone’s tastes - some parts look like 80s new build docklands apartments that haven’t stood the test of time

DH has been reading books on post-modern architecture. I think he finds places like Wapping very interesting :)

And rowing would be a bonus -DS had good rowing genes and it super tall and strong Grin

OP posts:
another20 · 03/07/2019 11:39

That’s good to know that it has a community network - if you want it Hundred . I agree about the space and peace and quiet. The river gives the space and wide open panoramic views and really minimal traffic and pollution. One flat we nearly bought had 2 balconies and actual small sandy BEACH when the tide was out — so you could hear the waves lapping whilst you slept. Also many of the blocks have allocated underground parking - which I doubt any new central London development would have now.

HundredMilesAnHour · 03/07/2019 11:43

And rowing would be a bonus -DS had good rowing genes and it super tall and strong

Then if you move to Wapping, send him down to Poplar, Blackwall & District Rowing Club at Island Gardens. They're one of the very few clubs who row on the stretch of the Thames from Tower Bridge to the Thames Barrier. Smile

roseyposeypuddingandpie · 06/07/2019 13:49

@summerofresistance

In actual fact it's the opposite. I'm saying this because I could afford this and there's no way I'd be posting what the OP posted. My family is not as wealthy as we are and I'm always very conscious of not rubbing what I have in other people's faces. I just wouldn't have starts thread like this🤷🏻‍♀️

roseyposeypuddingandpie · 06/07/2019 13:49

Started a*

dodgeballchamp · 06/07/2019 14:00

I agree rosey. Just because you CAN buy a nice house that isn’t “above a takeaway” or in an “ugly block” (literally cringing myself inside out at the snobbery) for your son to live in doesn’t mean you should. How about he makes his own way in life and isn’t handed heaps of wealth and privilege just because you’ve got it?

roseyposeypuddingandpie · 06/07/2019 15:04

And rowing would be a bonus -DS had good rowing genes and it super tall and strong

I think we prefer a 3-bed even if it means extra 10min to get to the theatre

Really?!🤦🏻‍♀️

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