Where should my sister live in London?!

[curiosercurioser]

My sister is 34, recently separated from her partner and moved back down to London.

She’s now managed to get a good job that will allow her to get a mortgage and get on the property ladder. She’s looking for a 2-bed flat up to £500k. She says in a safe area but she needs a bit of London buzz… and a bit of Tinder!… to restart her life.

She works by Bank station, otherwise is open as doesn’t have many friends in London any more.

Where’s good, MN?

That's a nice tool @househunter19
@JoJoSM2 the price change does bother me but doesn't bother her. Think she likes security of her own place.

Where in Wandsworth? I know it a fair bit.
Also a pp mentioned Crystal Palace. Have you considered there? I've just looked on Rightmove and it's a lot more affordable than expected. Loads of nice places to go out on the Triangle + a nice park.

Camberwell. Good value but fairly central. Can walk to Peckham, Brixton, ED; quick bus to Clapham, overground at Denmark Hill. Closer to the middle but cheaper than above areas. Bus to N line for bank. Full of young professionals, has a couple of small yoga studios, posh coffee shops, indie wine bar etc. Just not as hip as Clapham or Peckham but will be cheaper taxi home from hot dates in Soho than either of them!

Crystal palace or East Dulwich, super easy to get to London bridge.

@JoJoSM2 Maybe around East Hill, so she can take a bus to Clapham. Or west towards Putney, near the river. @hellotoyellow Looking now!

I'd also say Crystal Palace or East Dulwich - neither is on the tube though if that's an issue (but good trains). Or Stoke Newington? Again, not right by a tube, but not too far and easy to get train to Liverpool St or bus to Bank. Finsbury Park? I've not lived there but people I know who have love it.

Wandsworth isn't bad, you're close to Clapham Junction, Battersea & Fulham. I think it just doesn't have much character as a place in it's own right.

Yes, the bit around East Hill doesn't have much of its own personality and she'd want it get on that bus/train all the time (bar a couple of places).

The bit near Wandsworth Common Station is much better located. If DSis is likely to want to go out in Clapham and Putney (maybe Parson's Green or Wimbledon Village too?) then a good spot would be between Earlsfield and Southfields stations. Places to go out locally, lovely Wimbledon Park and 1 stop on the tube/train to get to the other places.

Are you not feeling SE London much?

Personally, I'd also be a little skittish about Brixton or Camberwell as the Met Police stats are very unimpressive.

Victoria Park village/Bethnal Green. Great community, fantastic park, short hop to Bank. Best part of London IMHO.

As I assume we’re talking flats here, don’t forget to factor in the management fees, especially if there’s a concierge, underground parking etc. - they can be incredibly expensive & can suddenly increase by a huge amount, over which you have no control.
Also ex local authority properties can be great - usually a decent size & in fantastic locations. However, I’d warn against them as, if any refurbishment is required, leaseholders will receive a massive bill, about £40k in a friend’s case - if her parents hadn’t been able to help out, she’d have lost her home.
Hope that your sister finds something suitable soon!

I’d second Earlsfield.
Inbetween Clapham Junc, Wimbledon, Tooting, Wandsworth and Putney,

Short walk up to Wandsworth Common.

Good overground service to Waterloo (10mins).
Definitely MC