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Original poster

Buying a house in london (anything?!) for £500k

32 replies

tramtastic · 08/04/2022 11:03

Is it even possible, particularly near the city so no longer commutes.
I don't really want to be subject to a leasehold property so am looking for freehold but think it's probably impossible to get a house for this budget nearby. I also don't want to end up in an area I can't safely walk down the road in.

Am I mad hoping for this? Should I consider a leasehold place or give up and move further out?!

OP posts:

trying29 · 08/04/2022 11:07

where are you considering nearby? you can do it in south london for freehold definitely

Ifailed · 08/04/2022 11:21

Does £500k include stamp duty, if so a house, maybe if it needs work, a flat - definitely.

Original poster

tramtastic · 08/04/2022 11:42

Thanks. Not including stamp duty.
Can you suggest areas? I would ideally be as close to the city as possible and be safe. I don't know the surrounding areas very well at all I only really see the city.

OP posts:

sarahb083 · 08/04/2022 11:49

Purley. 20 mins on Thameslink to London Bridge. Because it's Thameslink, it also stops at Blackfriars, Farringdon, St Pancras. It's safe, schools are good, and you can get a house for 500k within 1/2 mile of the station:

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/find.html?locationIdentifier=STATION%5E7472&maxPrice=500000&radius=0.5&sortType=6&propertyTypes=detached%2Csemi-detached%2Cterraced&primaryDisplayPropertyType=houses&includeSSTC=false&mustHave=&dontShow=&furnishTypes=&keywords=

Coulsdon South also worth looking at - also 20 mins to LB and a bit nicer than Purley I think.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/find.html?locationIdentifier=STATION%5E2369&maxPrice=500000&radius=0.5&sortType=6&propertyTypes=detached%2Csemi-detached%2Cterraced&primaryDisplayPropertyType=houses&includeSSTC=false&mustHave=&dontShow=&furnishTypes=&keywords=

sarahb083 · 08/04/2022 11:51

Epsom is also nice and reasonably quick into London:

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/find.html?locationIdentifier=REGION%5E488&maxPrice=500000&sortType=6&propertyTypes=detached%2Csemi-detached%2Cterraced&primaryDisplayPropertyType=houses&includeSSTC=false&mustHave=&dontShow=retirement%2CsharedOwnership&furnishTypes=&keywords=

Qwill · 08/04/2022 11:52

I think Barking and East Ham have quite a few areas of affordable housing now.

trying29 · 08/04/2022 11:53

We are currently buying a 3 bed house for around this price on South Norwood Hill, it is 5 mins drive from Crystal Palace. It is very doable.
We saw some houses around Thornton Heath under 500k.

Qwill · 08/04/2022 11:54

Anything East London or on the Trainline to Liverpool St or Moorgate (so Herts or Essex) would be quick, sometimes quicker than living in actual London. I would avoid west or south west (Surrey etc.) as you’d have to get across town which could double your journey times.

kirinm · 08/04/2022 11:56

A friend bought a house in Sutton for just under £500k. Personally I wouldn't live in Thornton Heath.

Does it have to be a house? You'll get much closer to the city in a flat.

AwkwardPaws27 · 08/04/2022 12:02

We're in Romford & I've never felt unsafe. Used to walk home from the station (just under a mile) at 10pm when I was going to uni after work.
It's Zone 6 so about as far out as you can get though - but the new Elizabeth Line (Crossrail) trains are already running & it's 30 mins to Liverpool Street.
You can get a 3 bed semi within a mile of the station for your budget.

UncomfortableSilence · 08/04/2022 12:04

Havering, outer London borough, depending on area you will get something for £500k. If you can get on the district line, just had a quick skim of RM and there are lots, you can be in the city in half hour, alternatively you have the overhead into Liverpool Street or Fenchurch Street depending on where you are.

LBOCS2 · 08/04/2022 12:05

I personally wouldn't choose to live in Thornton Heath, there are much nicer areas with better transport links a bit further out. Depends where you need to get to, but Purley is a good option - or the area between the stations, Sanderstead and Purley Oaks which has good transport into Victoria or the Thameslink.

LaurieFairyCake · 08/04/2022 12:09

This one - 2 bed house with parking - 10 minutes walk to lovely Blackheath, round corner from lovely pub/good chippy/tons of shops

£425

Right next to Lee train station

20 minutes to either Charing Cross or Cannon Street (or 12 to London Bridge)

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/121220315#/?channel=RES_BUY

LadyOfTheCanyon · 08/04/2022 12:14

Jesus don't move to Thornton Heath- and I say that as someone who lives in Streatham next door. Agreed Lee/ Lewisham will do you for that budget, parts of the Norwood, Anerley etc.

trying29 · 08/04/2022 12:17

i agree some parts of thornton heath are rough but I am talking just off Beulah Hill so far more the crystal palace side. I dont think you need to go as far s Purley to find something in your budget

nearlyspringyay · 08/04/2022 12:21

Not Thornton Heath! I'd look down the line from Cannon Street, Orpington, Petts Wood. Depends how long you mean by long commute?

You might find something in Hither Green / Lewisham.

Original poster

tramtastic · 08/04/2022 12:24

@LaurieFairyCake I really like that. That's actually quite along the lines of what I'm looking for thank you.
These area are great. I haven't been back in london forever and some of these areas used to be known as 'rough' back a while ago. Things like don't live in east London. But I am willing to look at all areas.

OP posts:

ClaudiaWankleman · 08/04/2022 13:05

You can get a 2 bed bungalow within walking distance of Shenfield station (Crossrail and a 25 minute journey into Liverpool St) within your budget. It's a very nice area and good for families.

I agree with all upthread who have suggested basically anywhere that doesn't arrive into Victoria, Marylebone or Paddington as it is so frustrating to be forced to do a long commute once you've arrived into London. All other terminuses are quite convenient.

SD25 · 08/04/2022 19:00

South Norwood. Closer to Crystal Palace and/or Norwood Junction the better.

NuffSaidSam · 08/04/2022 19:06

I'd avoid Barking, East Ham and Romford. All horrible!

AwkwardPaws27 · 08/04/2022 19:40

@NuffSaidSam

I'd avoid Barking, East Ham and Romford. All horrible!

I live in Romford, personally I think it's pretty good as outer London boroughs go. I've felt safer here than where I grew up (Walthamstow). I like being close to lots of parks, forests, green spaces etc. I can be at Liverpool Street in 30 minutes or I can walk 5 minutes down the road and walk my dog in a field. That said, I wouldn't want to live in Barking or East Ham. They are more convenient for commuting but I don't feel particularly safe in either.

Comedycook · 08/04/2022 19:43

SE London... Bellingham, Lee, Catford,

A580Hojas · 08/04/2022 19:46

It depends if you want 2 or 3 bedrooms? There are some lovely 2 bedroom houses in all sorts of places for £500k.

A580Hojas · 08/04/2022 19:53

I've just found some 2 and 3 bedroom houses for £500k in SE26 and SE19 on Right Move.

Original poster

tramtastic · 08/04/2022 20:21

Thanks. Going to take a look at some of these places. Feeling a bit more positive about it all.

OP posts:

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