What part of London would suit me?

[tyburnia]

I am going to be moving to London for a year. I'll be living alone, and am far beyond the age of living in a house share. My income is good but isn't outstanding for London... I make about £60k before tax

I really like old buildings. So would ideally like a one bed in a georgian townhouse or edwardian mansion block... but I can dream 😏

I will need to commute to Victoria, but will work from home a few days a week. So might be worth me considering somewhere a bit further out to get more room. Please only areas safe for single women 😊

Yes, good point! Also taking a look at RightMove it's mostly out of budget and/or newbuilds. I guess I was just picturing something like this:

www.openrent.co.uk/property-to-rent/london/2-bed-flat-bonnington-square-sw8/1116695

Loud/trafficky also applies to a lot of Greenwich and Blackheath too though, and also some disturbance when there's large public events.

Nunhead might be another shout because of the 20 minute direct train to Victoria and a nice little high street. Plus Peckham Rye Park and Common is lovely. And Rye Lane if OP fancies anything a bit more lively.

Was also going to suggest Blackheath like a pp

Lots of Blackheath and Greenwich is absolutely lovely though!

OP, apart from working, what are you planning on doing in London? If you were to say that you wanted to make the most of the capital, go out into central loads etc, then i would suggest being closer rather than farther out.

When i first moved here, i lived in side streets round Oval and Stockwell. Once you are away from the main road, you dont hear the traffic and the flats were lovely. At Stockwell you have Victoria and Northern Line and its so easy to get everywhere. I'd also add Clapham and Balham to that now. Clapham has lots of shops and a nightlife as well for if you want something local. I'm now in zone 3 SW London and really miss how convenient it was.

If you are coming to do a full on job for a year, long hours etc and then leave again, moving further out would get you more for your money, but it's whether you want the longer journeys for the times you are out and about.

What are your interests OP? There will be something sensible in a lot of places for that budget but I assume you’ll want local activities/amenities as well as London access.

"A Warner flat in Walthamstow would suit you.*

I live in as Warner flat in Walthamstow, and I love it. But I think the OP can get something more fancy in a posher area on her salary, since she's renting and only needs a 1 bed.

Walthamstow

Get a lot more for your money south of river and easy overground train journey to Victoria. Look at:
Balham, Clapham, Streatham, Crystal Palace... All have old buildings...

Try WC1X, OP?

I'd also not worry too much about the tube - if you're on a decent bus route, buses are miles better.

Balham

I would look for a flat on the Heaver Estate in Balham, or even wonderful DuCane Court.

Penge to Victoria is 20 minutes and loads of period properties within 5 minutes walk of the station.

What's your monthly budget? Do you have friends in London?

Pimlico. It is expensive but has loads of mansion blocks. It's so safe and has a gorgeous sort of tranquil villagey feel to it. And it's walking distance from Victoria and Central London so you'd save on tube fares.

Pimlico 1 bed flats in mansion blocks:

here

here

here

If your on about £60K after tax and pension you'll take home about £3.5K.

If you live in pimlico you'll save on tube fares (£150 a month) plus taxis and the council tax for Westminster is about half that of in Lambeth. So you'd save about £2300 +a year . Plus have a really pleasant walk into work. I love Brixton and South London but lived in Shoreditch when I worked in The City and really liked my walk to work.

As long as you're happy to sink about £2k into housing costs.

You could look at Chelsea too.

Kennington. Oval and around Stockwell really do have quiet areas. My DD lives in a quiet side street and is a couple of mins walk from Kennington underground. Zone 1 now. It has hidden squares and pubs!

I agree. Bonnington and Albert Squares are really nice for example, along with other little nooks and crannies where MPs live within reach of the Division Bell.

Thing is, if you are working in Pimlico, you don't need to live there, to enjoy living in London. If your office colleagues are a sociable crowd they will go out in Pimlico or Victoria after work and you'll have the west end on your doorstep if you want to do late night shopping or going to cinema/theatre. You'll save money living on a network rail stop that goes into Victoria and have a bigger flat to rattle around in when not working.