Nice areas in London for £700k

[Mandofan]

My partner and I are looking to buy at the end of the year so I’ve been looking on rightmove to see what we can get for our money. We currently own a flat in north London and I would love to stay in the area. Our budget is £700k but I can’t find any houses in the areas I truly love. One non negotiable is it has to be on the underground and no more than half a mile from the station. Everything I’ve found is almost a mile from the station or isn’t on the underground. We’d ideally like a 4 bed but would go for a three bed and extend if possible. Currently looking at Finsbury Park and near Highbury but not had any luck. Are we being unrealistic? I’ve seen a few nice ones in Turnpike Lane and Colindale but I don’t love the areas. Any ideas on where we should look? No DC yet but would like to be in an area with good schools. I’m worried we won’t find anything or will have to compromise massively

How about Bounds Green? You might get a 3 bed there? I think 700k in London isn’t going to get you a 4 bed in a really nice area I’m afraid.

I think you're being unrealistic. 3-4 beds, nice area, close to a tube AND good schools....for £700k?!! You need to prioritise what matters most or up your budget.

Upminster

Unfortunately you need to compromise. 3/4 bed houses in the desirable areas near the tube will be far more than £700k. Would you consider a maisonette? Your budget might go further. If not, I think you have to work out which are your priorities out of space, area and nearby transport. You might consider looking further out along the Picadilly line towards Oakwood and Cockfosters.

I think £700k for a 4 bed house in Highbury or Finsbury Park is unrealistic, unfortunately.

How about Woodside Park, Whetstone, Finchley? Leytonstone, Walthamstow? Even so you may have to buy a 3 bed and extend.

Or Tottenham? Some great schools there but some areas I’d avoid and I still think you’ll be looking at 3 beds.

Harrow. If you don’t mind a terrace you can get a really good size 4 bed with a large garden for under £700k

Outstanding primary and secondary schools in the area.

Met line takes about 25 mins to Baker st and there are a fair few tube stations in the borough.

We’re currently near Tottenham but I don’t love the area. I do love how diverse it is and would like to live somewhere that is equally diverse. I’ve realised we’re going to have to compromise. I like Walthamstow and Leytonstone so will have a look there. Upminster is too far and I’d prefer to avoid the district line. The house price situation frustrates me so much. I can’t believe how little £700k gets you in London

North Chingford, Highams park, Woodford, Walthamstow

Southgate, great schools and on the Piccadilly Line and has a good high street, and is a nice safe area

I’ve recently moved to Bounds Green, it’s not the most exciting place but very good for transport, tube, overground and near the north circular, I’m in a good sized 4 bed house which was £800 but there are lots of smaller houses 3 beds so £700 might be enough.

South London is your answer - but you'll still probably need £100k more

Plenty of places in South London but you'd need to discover trains and not rely on the tube (good thing if you ask me!)

Loughton, Buckhurst Hill, north chingford, highams parks. Come join our secret corner of London, it’s lovely here.

Another vote for Harrow. Really good schools, lots of green space and good connections to London on the Met line. This is within walking distance of Pinner Station Harrow

I’ve passed through Loughton and it’s beautiful so will look there and maybe Wanstead. As nice as Harrow is its quite far and we don’t love the Metropolitan line. It’s looking like Highbury is a pipe dream unfortunately

London is really quite expensive for purchasing houses now, and ridiculously so. I'm trying to buy a 3 bed in the worst part of West London, and I'm currently pondering on ways to push my budget from £700k to £750k. 2 years ago I'd have been able to buy the same houses for less than £600k, however Covid has distorted the market completely, and I think recovery will take a long while.

I don't think you'd be able to get what you want in Walthamstow or Leytonstone, you'd probably need to go much further east, but then you wouldn't get the tube.

South East London would most likely be your best bet to get something in your budget, but there's (almost) no tube there, which is reflected in the prices.

You’ll get a beautiful 3/4 bed for 700 in Loughton.
All the roads off and around the High road are lovely.

Try Ruislip. Nicer than Harrow and lots of tube stations (met and pic) plus overground in some stations.

Compromise on the tube and come south.

In some parts of south London you have 2 or 3 train lines with very frequent trains.

Another advocate for SE London - I can get the train to London Bridge in 18 minutes and if I need the tube then I can get the Jubilee from North Greenwich or the DLR. And we've just bought a massive 4 bed semi for £700k in a very family friendly location so there are some affordable areas still. Would you consider moving to the other side of the river?

My initial reaction (being just down the road from Highbury and FP) was that you'd be nuts to think you can get a 3 bed for £700k anywhere round there. But I had a look and they do exist. Have a look round Holloway Road underground:

Posted too soon and it won't let me share the links . Have a look around the south side of Holloway Road, between Severn Sisters and Holl Road tube, Hillmarton Road area, not far from Cally tube too...

@Mandofan

I’ve passed through Loughton and it’s beautiful so will look there and maybe Wanstead. As nice as Harrow is its quite far and we don’t love the Metropolitan line. It’s looking like Highbury is a pipe dream unfortunately

Wanstead is super pricy

What is your commute? North chingford and Highams park etc are good because they interchange with walthamstow central or you can stay on and be in Liverpool St in under 30 mins.