Where (and what) would you buy in London for 500K

[newnicknewme]

Hello!
I'm currently looking at flats in Greenwich, where I've been living for the past 2 years. I like it here, but it's not ideal commute. The problem is, I only ever lived here and in other bits of central / East London, which I didn't like or couldn't afford, so I have limited knowledge of any potentially better suited places. So here I am, hoping for mumsnet's collective experience and some recommendations for places I would not think of myself.

I'm looking for:

• easy commute to Soho/Covent Garden and Kings Cross areas (which is why Greenwich works so-so, 45-60 mins door to door)
• 2 bed, ideally 60 sqm+ (so I can't go very central with my budget)
• NOT ground floor and preferably a balcony, if not then a small garden could do (which pretty much limits it to flats built in the last 20 years and upper maisonettes at a push)
• a safe and nice area where I can walk - I walk/jog a lot, and having pleasant places where I can go around is super important for me (doesn't need to be a beautiful park, nice low-traffic streets could work too) but I don't really care for cafes, trendy places around etc. Basically, if your elderly auntie would like the place, I probably will too
• schools not important yet, primary school may be a factor in the future but we can cross that bridge when we get there
• up to 500K (FTB so it makes a big difference in SD if I go a bit beyond)

Thanks!

Tooting?

Colliers Wood, if an upper maisonette is ok

Rotherhithe may fit the bill

Walthamstow? Camberwell?

Go from Blackheath on the main line train to Charing Cross?

It's 18-23 minutes on the train - then walk from Charing Cross (about 6 minutes)

Wood Green - by Ally Pally. Lots of nice starter flats on Clarendon Road.

Hither Green/Blackheath?

Walthamstow is 6 stops from Kings Cross and seems very popular here. I don't know the area well, but a brief search of Right Move turned up a number of properties that fit your criteria.

Blackhorse Road, close to the marshes for some fab walks :)

Balcony, top floor, 70 square metres. 3 bedrooms, 3 minutes walk to the station.

I've deliberately picked one really close to the station so that your commute is 30 minutes There are lovelier looking blocks but further away from station.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/108446462#/?channel=RES_BUY

Walthamstow/ Wanstead/ Woodford

Bexley?

East Finchley. Northern Line into town, Highgate Woods or the Heath for fresh air and walks, loads of flats. Highgate is nice but not v trendy.

Ealing. Northfields especially. Has nice shops and cafes but not too trendy. Lammas park is nice for runs, walks etc.

On the Heathrow branch of the Piccadilly line which gets you directly to Covent Garden in 30 mins or so.

Good primary schools nearby too.

How about this in Denmark Hill?
2 beds, 3rd floor, communal gardens, 69 m2. Very close to Denmark Hill - train to Victoria and then the Victoria line to KX.
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/113658572#/?channel=RES_BUY

Lots of choice in south west London. Colliers Wood / Mitcham border - choice of northern line (Colliers Wood / Tooting underground) or Thameslink (Mitcham Eastfields / Tooting railway) into Kings Cross.

I think you’ll like SW London if you like Greenwich. This is close to Southfields tube and walkable to Earlsfield overground so you have a different route into town if needed. Lots of nice places to walk locally and lovely quiet environment. Catchment for Sheringdale primary which future proofs it for you. It’s a buyers market so hopefully could get for closer to 500k.

Replingham Road, London
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/83395816

It’s a buyers market for flats I mean!

If you would consider outside London, you could look at places in Kent on the high speed rail service from St Pancras as the commute is fairly short. The train is more expensive, but the property would be a lot cheaper.

Catford
Near Greenwich.
It has direct lines to St Pancras London bridge Charing cross and nearby overground.
There's great property stock too.

I think you could get a small terraced house in Zone 5/6 - Ruislip, Northwood Hills, Eastcote kind of area. These are all on the Met line.

Try further out on the Greenwich Thameslink route? Charlton, Plumstead, Abbey Wood, Shooters Hill (Oxleas Wood) have fantastic green space and even a farm. The train goes straight to Kings Cross St Pancras. Good schools.

Yes, had a look on Rightmove and there are definitely 2 bed houses and even the odd 3 bedroom house in walking distance of tube stations in Ruislip/Eastcote/Northwood Hills which are under £500k. There is Met line or Picadilly as well on Eastcote Ruislip branch.
Those areas are quite suburban but have lots of green space and easy access to motorways as well as reasonable travel into the city. Good schools too.

Forest Hill or Sydenham. Move here and I’ll show you all the best running routes . Lots of stuff going on in the high streets without being either teeth achingly hipster or insipid Nappy Valley. Really good primary schools and transport links.

[quote PeterPipersPepper]I think you’ll like SW London if you like Greenwich. This is close to Southfields tube and walkable to Earlsfield overground so you have a different route into town if needed. Lots of nice places to walk locally and lovely quiet environment. Catchment for Sheringdale primary which future proofs it for you. It’s a buyers market so hopefully could get for closer to 500k.

Replingham Road, London
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/83395816[/quote]
Oh wow, that's a great find! I used to live round there and it's a lovely area. I guess the reason that flat is cheaper than others nearby is that it's on the busier road at the edge of the Southfields grid as opposed to on the grid itself but if I were you OP I'd get over there for a look pronto!