Where to buy a house in London?

[Daisyroselondon]

Hi all, looking for a little bit of advice on where to move to in London. We're a couple who recently discovered that we sadly won't be having children - so schools etc aren't any issue for us. Good transport links as partner would still need to get into central London. I would need to work from home with access to London so 2-3 bedrooms with a garden and near green spaces. We're thinking probably north or west. Somewhere that isn't insanely priced, probably 800 - 1million (I know that sounds crazy to think that isn't insane!) Thanks in advance :)

As schools are not an issue you could definitely find a nice house of the size you're looking for on that budget. Hammersmith might fit the bill, but your garden would not be massive.

Ealing is nice-good mix of people, great transport connections and leafy.

@Subbaxeo

Ealing is nice-good mix of people, great transport connections and leafy.

Ealing is a good shout. Wouldn't have thought of there, thanks

Wimbledon?

Sorry just realised you said north, its lovely though!!

@IDidntFloatUpTheLaganInABubble

Sorry just realised you said north, its lovely though!!

No, no - was actually just musing on Wimbledon. Am open to anywhere really just not super East. Somewhere green, not super family centric and yeah - moderately affordable!

In that case definitely Wimbledon! I didn't suggest it before as your OP said north or west, but there are lots of nice places in Wimbledon. South Park Gardens has properties in that price range but not with big gardens. If you want a large garden in SW19 then you may need to look in Merton Park - much bigger gardens and off street parking, but further from the station (though you could use Morden on the Northern line or the tram into Wimbledon)

We’ve recently left Ealing and I miss it terribly. Would definitely recommend 👍🏼

I'm in Clerkenwell and I love it. Lots of beautiful Georgian squares, leafy and green but super buzzy, loads of cafes, restaurants, independent shops, galleries etc, and a half hour walk to anywhere you want to go in proper central London. Plus there's also a real sense of community and I know my neighbours really well.

You can get lovely 2 bed garden flats where I am within your budget. As you won't be needing to consider access to schools/outdoor spaces, I wouldn't dream of edging into suburbia. You can easily stay in Zone 1 with that budget if you don't mind a flat. London is one of the greenest cities in the world and central London is much greener and quieter than you might think. I bought my flat a couple of years ago for far below your budget and I've got private and communal outdoor space. I wouldn't live anywhere else in London!

@BlackberrySky

In that case definitely Wimbledon! I didn't suggest it before as your OP said north or west, but there are lots of nice places in Wimbledon. South Park Gardens has properties in that price range but not with big gardens. If you want a large garden in SW19 then you may need to look in Merton Park - much bigger gardens and off street parking, but further from the station (though you could use Morden on the Northern line or the tram into Wimbledon)

Oo, thanks! I'll check them out :)

@Isbobmyuncle

We’ve recently left Ealing and I miss it terribly. Would definitely recommend 👍🏼

Oh really? What do you miss about Ealing? Any tips? hope you're enjoying your new area to :)

@EnidSpyton funnily enough, we are near you! I'm pretty desperate for a house but I'll definitely check out garden flats - thank you

I was also coming on to say Ealing.

Or Acton if you want more property for your money.

Shepherds Bush and Hammersmith are also both great areas.

When looking at towns, remember that sometimes being a little further out can mean a faster commute into the city because of faster trains.

I’ve lived in both Ealing and Wimbledon, loved both.

All around Kingston is great too. Lots of trains into London and a short drive into Surrey.

Parsons Green? Putney? Wimbledon village? Balham?I like Battersea and Clapham but perhaps toomany families

I wouldn't move as far out as Ealing or wimbledon, isn't that where people move because they have children?

I'd stay more central and buy an amazing ground floor garden flat somewhere walking distance into a central area, so you don't have awkward commutes. Wimbledon will be at least an hour from door to door.

Kew is lovely and you can easily get into Ealing and Richmond plus driving out of London isn't so bad. Hampton also lovely. Basically you could follow the river down depending on your budget . Barnes is lovely and great restaurants.. very villagey field but quite pricey.

Forgot to mention Ham ! Snuck away at the top of Richmond ..

@Daisyroselondon howdy neighbour!

I was the same when looking for my place a couple of years ago - really wanted a house. But when I started looking, I realised that flats - particularly period conversions - often have a larger square footage and larger rooms than houses. My flat is the equivalent size of a two up two down, just all on one floor. And it was a couple of hundred grand cheaper than a house! So don't write off a garden flat/maisonette.

You will also find a lot of former council stock in this area that was built in the early 20th c and is beautifully, solidly built, with period features and lovely room dimensions. I've got a 1930s former council flat - which was considerably cheaper than the Georgian properties I also looked at - and the rooms are lovely big rectangles with huge windows, parquet floors, art deco fireplaces, etc. It's also very well insulated so my fuel bills are tiny.

Just giving my perspective as someone who was sold on a house, didn't want to have to put up with neighbours above/below me - I have never regretted my decision to go for a flat instead. And I saved myself at least £200k in the process.

I moved from Ealing 20 years ago, and, while very happy indeed in N Wales, I still miss it. I lived there for many years as a singleton no kids and found the mix of areas, people and great tube connections into Central London with trees and parks to be a lovely place to live. Further from the tube is Pitshanger, lovely village-y atmosphere with Edwardian houses and a garden village (Brentham) with an arts and crafts feel. I visit a lot to see friends and it’s even better now. Some areas do have lots of families though but there are very nice garden flats near the centre and cute cottages.

Which terminus in London will you need to get to- this will inform your area, best to avoid having to schlep across London on the tune for example if you can get to where you need to be from a main line train

Hanwell is nice. Cheap and soon to be on Crossrail so will have mega fast connections to central.

What about Greenwich/ Maze hill? Lovely arty feel, deptford up and coming and beautiful parks and independent shops.

SW London. Earlsfield. Close to Wandsworth Common, Tooting Common and Clapham Common. Easy access to Richmond Park as well. Add in nearby Streatham Common and Battersea Park. Simply loads of green space.

Norwood junction- lovely lake parks, 10 mins direct train to london and you could get a wonderful house for that money! Within walking distance of cafes in Crystal Palace too