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Original poster

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

68 replies

newnicknewme · 25/09/2021 23:09

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 Grin
  • 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!

OP posts:
Porridgeislife · 26/09/2021 09:33

I’d look in N7 and N19, specifically the part between Seven Sisters Road and Archway gyratory on the eastern side of Holloway Road. Brilliant transport links to both KX and Soho/Covent Garden, a fairly stable community and two really good primary schools. Nags Head shopping is not lovely but very useful (three large supermarkets etc).

If you look carefully you should be able to get what you want for £500k as there’s a number of modern blocks dotted through the period housing especially around Manor Gardens/Sussex Way.

PeterPipersPepper · 26/09/2021 10:11

I agree I think it’s a brilliant find for this area - I live close by :)

PeterPipersPepper · 26/09/2021 10:12

That was meant to be a reply to Iglesias!

Coffeepants · 26/09/2021 10:39

Woolwich, has much better transport links than Greenwich, blackheath, Charlton, etc. there’s the national rail trains, dlr and crossrail due at some point. A bit rough around the edges but means you can get a lot more bang for your buck. Lots of green spaces, nice routes to jog along the river.

Original poster
newnicknewme · 26/09/2021 10:42

Wow, thank you, so many amazing ideas! Please keep them coming Smile
I will check some out today.

Hither Green, East Dulwich and Ealing are very nice, but seem to be just a bit above my budget, meaning that the only flats I could get there are the less desirable ones, but I will keep looking.

@ghislaine I love the flat! The sensible part of me remembers that it is probably freezing with these huge single glazed windows, but it looks awesome.

OP posts:
ghislaine · 26/09/2021 10:51

This is not far away and looks to have double glazing…
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/112463792#/?channel=RES_BUY

ComtesseDeSpair · 26/09/2021 13:19

@Coffeepants

Woolwich, has much better transport links than Greenwich, blackheath, Charlton, etc. there’s the national rail trains, dlr and crossrail due at some point. A bit rough around the edges but means you can get a lot more bang for your buck. Lots of green spaces, nice routes to jog along the river.
As a former Woolwich dweller who will forever have Woolwich in her heart (I was priced out! Damn Crossrail!) I agree with looking into this area. Or if you can’t hack Woolwich Wink Plumstead and the area they refer to as “East Greenwich” also worth a look. Plumstead has some really nice parts.
Marbles321 · 26/09/2021 13:22

Or a few stops further along the same line to CC and you could get something nice in Clock House/Penge , and some change from your 500k.

Close to Beckenham, less urban as its zone 4, lovely primary schools, very "leafy"

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/113419451#/?channel=RES_BUY

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/110078318#/?channel=RES_BUY

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/88217698#/?channel=RES_BUY

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/113844566#/?channel=RES_BUY

1990s · 26/09/2021 13:24

Ex council is your friend here. Much more frequently have balconies and you get more space.

RememberLupeVelez · 26/09/2021 13:30

Enfield Town? Very north North London. Great connections to the city..15 mins on the Overground, about the same on the Tube (Victoria line) to Oxford Circus. Importantly there's an alternative Overground line from Enfield Chase which connects with the Victoria Line at Highbury and Islington.
There's a tube station at Oakwood a short bus ride away. Plus good buses including Night service.
It's definitely somewhere you wouldn't think of/somewhere your elderly auntie might like.
But it's got masses of parks, cycle lanes and a shopping area with Waitrose and Pearsons - a small Grace Brothers style department store. Old Market Square and conservation area by a small river.
Village Rd eg is a short walk from Enfield Town station..two bed flats with balcony on currently for around 480k. It's not especially chi chi but it's certainly well connected!

AlfonsoTheMango · 26/09/2021 13:37

[quote LaurieFairyCake]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 Grin There are lovelier looking blocks but further away from station.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/108446462#/?channel=RES_BUY[/quote]
Excellent suggestion.

AlfonsoTheMango · 26/09/2021 13:39

[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]
The Replingham Road place is nice but there are 97 years left on the lease so renewing the lease could be expensive.

Skinnytailedsquirrel · 26/09/2021 13:40

short bus ride/cycle along towpath to Richmond (or Kingston)
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/108929531#/?channel=RES_BUY

Sandrine1982 · 26/09/2021 14:11

Tottenham Hale - check out the Lock17 development on the canal... gorgeous marshes ... canal side... walthamstow wetlands.. we live here now and really like it

SD25 · 26/09/2021 14:18

Norwood Junction has 25 minute direct train to King's Cross. You could get a house right by the South Norwood Country Park. (And a 3 bed if you wanted.) Area is improving, quiet, lots of green space, great transport links, Crystal Palace nearby.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/110039981

Coffeepants · 26/09/2021 14:28

It does but not nearly as convenient with transport. Definitely leafier if you could compromise on just having plumstead station. Also lots of regeneration in the Woolwich/plumstead area.

Filthycop · 26/09/2021 23:05

you could get a 3 or 4 bed house in South Norwood for £500k and it is 12 mins on train to London Bridge and there is a direct train to St Pancras for Kings Cross. It is also still SE London so closer to your current area

Check SE25 in Zoopla for property

TurboTheChicken · 27/09/2021 01:46

Forest Hill, Brockley, Honor Oak? Fabulous community, lovely green spaces and great transport links with ELL & overground.

DateLoaf · 27/09/2021 05:11

I’d second West London options for green space

1990s · 27/09/2021 08:55

The Replingham Road place is nice but there are 97 years left on the lease so renewing the lease could be expensive.

97 years is absolutely fine. 83 years is the expensive cut off, so avoid things below 90 in an ideal world.

dd207 · 27/09/2021 11:04

I was in a very similar position to you OP. I've rented in Islington and Hackney for the past 5 years, and this summer was looking for a place with a budget of £500k.

I originally started looking in Walthamstow but got quickly outbid (2 bed ex warner houses going for £510k+) and felt that it wasn't worth the price.

Eventually found somewhere lovely with a garden in Gispy Hill - really close to the lovely areas of Crystal Palace and Dulwich. It's easy to get into Shoreditch on the orange overground line or it's a quick bus ride to Brixton and the Victoria line.

I also looked at Hither Green, but didn't like any of the properties we saw.

Here's some rightmove links for Crystal Palace inspiration!

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/108645002#/?channel=RES_BUY

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/112792961#/?channel=RES_BUY

HopeHappy · 27/09/2021 11:44

As @WombatChocolate has said, you can get a 2 bed terraced house in Ruislip for that - 2 bed terrace or www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/113419559#/?channel=RES_BUY

45 mins to Kings Cross on the Met line, but also access to London on the Piccadilly and Central lines nearby too.

MyCatHatesWhiskas · 27/09/2021 11:59

Lloyd Park area of Walthamstow- 2 bed ex Warner flats. Something like this:

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/113617928#/?channel=RES_BUY

They usually have a shared/divided garden at the back.

onlychildhamster · 27/09/2021 12:01

Second East Finchley. I bought my flat for £392k.

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