Clapham/Balham/Brixton

[Fibrepills]

Hello Mumsnetters,

thought you might be able to help. Dd is moving to London with her girlfriend. They’re going to be young professionals. They have looked around lots of London and like the feel of Clapham the most. Young people and going on. they’re looking to establish some friends etc

They really loved Clapham old town I think, but it’s out of budget. From speaking to local agents apparently flats are going for above rental asking prices.
They looked at Stockwell and that seemed fine. Balham is meant to be ok? And Brixton?

They have a budget of around £1600 before bills. They only want a one bed, but need somewhere decent as dd is going to be working from home.

Any ideas of areas?

My dd lives in Brixton and loves it. Great transport links. Lots to do. The rental market there is nuts at the moment - people offering to pay more than the advertised rent, flats going in less than a day etc.

It depends what vibe they’re looking for. Clapham is full private school rugby playing finance wankers coked off their faces - my idea of hell, personally, I’d choose Brixton every time. I lived in tooting and loved it, there’s good pubs and the market is like a mini version of Brixton market, lots of young people and vibrant nightlife but less Hooray Henry. I had some friends in Brixton and it was always really lively there and more laid back, the rental properties tend to be a bit grim though.

Rental properties are fine in Brixton. However good ones are around £1600 per month for 1 bed. Streatham is cheaper. Tooting too.

All sorts of young people are drawn to Clapham snd they don’t all take drugs. There is a drinking culture though but that’s having a good time anywhere in London!

I must pay a visit!

I would go for round Tooting too- my son moved there when he first lived in London and it's 5 mins into Clapham on metro-- some nice areas around the Wandsworth common side too and you get more for your money.

The Nightingale triangle in Balham or around Tooting Common are the most peaceful places to live in that area I think. Close to all the action but enough so to be annoyed by it.

@noborisno the Swan has a coffee shop during the day now. How times change!

The Swan is still there, still rammed, the “vibe” is still the same :)

Stockwell is fine now. Not as much going on as Clapham/Brixton but not like it used to be.

Oh that's interesting @1990s - I only live in Clapham but have studiously avoided Stockwell for years... Good that it's lost it's flavour of drive-by-shooting (I say this as someone born and raised in Clapham and Brixton, way before it was gentrified and expensive).

I lived for a while just by Oval tube after university, opposite the park, really liked it there but not sure how expensive it is now.

I love Brockwell Park. Walking distance to Brixton tube is so handy.

Got such good varied transport links.

Talking of shootings there was one in Brockwell Park last night, pretty rare occurrence though and apparently the victim is ok.

Wasn’t it the police who killed the Brazilian man in Stockwell underground? Like most areas of London, it has gentrified Victorian houses. It seems a bit quiet though.

The area around The Oval is fine, as is Kennington but Kennington is zone 1 now and the Northern line is quicker into town from there. I quite like that area but if you want the “still at university” vibe, it’s not that. Boules in Cleaver Square is the height of entertainment.

When I was in my early 20s my girlfriends and I lived in a few houses between Brixton and Clapham North. Some really nice streets, felt safe and very handy location. I have since lived in Brixton and now live the other side of Herne Hill with the DC - all great areas. Try not to worry about stabbings/shootings. They are nearly 100% targeted and gang/drug related. A healthy amount of caution when walking at night, just like absolutely anywhere, is sensible.

I lived around this area for 15-20 years before moving out of London both as single in flatshare and as couple and then family.

All will be fine - one further place I would add into the mix is Camberwell. Camberwell is slightly cheaper because its not got a tube but it is well provoided for by transport: loads of bus routes pass through and Denmark Hill station is good for Canary Wharf and Clapaham Junction and Loughborough Junction station is good for Blackfriars and up to Kings Cross. If you get the right bit of Camberwell you are also within a mile or so of Oval tube station on the Northern Line.

Camberwell has a relaxed trendy, arty vibe, a bit more cutting edge than Clapham; loads of young professionals. I would recommend living near to the Brixton side of Camberwell - places near to Myatts Fields Park/Coldharbour Lane/ Ruskin Park (many of which may be designated as Brixton) or in the streets around Grove Lane where you will find lots of lovely Georgian flats and houses.