Where would you live - no kids central London?

[TintyMinty]

Where would you live - no kids semi retired (WFH) want to immersed in London cultural life (theatre / galleries / museums / events etc ) not interested in restaurants/shops/bars) would like green space nearby. Thinking Primrose Hill, St John’s Wood, Marylebone anywhere else in zone 1 (don’t want to have a car)?

This is my dream retirement! A little studio flat looking down onto the busy hustle and bustle of London.

I am in absolutely no position to do this, but I always quite fancied living in Clarkenwell/Farringdon type area. Or maybe in the City, tucked away down one of the side streets. I would roam around at the weekends with the place practically to myself (oh to dream).

We used to live in Fitzrovia. Well, we called it the West End but most people called it Fitzrovia. It was a fantastic place to live. Regent's Park a couple of minutes away, easy access to theatres, fantastic restaurants, shops. We had a lovely big 4th floor flat so it wasn't noisy. We both worked in the City so it was great for commuting as well. Funnily enough I checked the prices there recently and the prices are crazy so I'm not sure we could necessarily afford to do it again!

Pimlico

It depends on your budget. Money no object? Regents Park, Mayfair, Marylebone. A bit more constrained? Pimlico. Tight? London Bridge/Bermondsey Street or even Battersea (short stroll to Chelsea etc).

I also like the city and to be near the river but I find Farrington/Clerkenwell “dark” with no green space?

I am not interested in investing in a local neighbourhood either as don’t need facilities, communities or services really…..that’s why not interested in going further out into Kensington, Hampstead, Islington etc - happy to be anonymous!

Thanks that’s a great hierarchy to consider.

Budget would be £1.2 for a 3 bed - don’t want huge service charges.

Barbican

You would get a Victorian terrace for £1.2m in Battersea. Primrose Hill would be amazing but not sure if you could get anything decent for that money. Off to look for you now rather than tidying my house for viewing or doing work 😅

That rules out most of the nicer places that are relatively central then.

That’s my DH pref - but for me not enough green nearby.

I think work out where you tend to go most in terms of culture and work from there. Do you tend to be in the West End, Barbican or South Bank more? By culture do you mean local culture like flower markets, pop ups, music etc, or established things like opera, ballet etc. I think that Covent Garden would be a nice place to live, but also agree that Pimlico or Clerkenwell/ Holborn would be good. There are also some nice areas south of the river like Borough and Bermondsey too. In reality though if you’re in zone 1 it’s likely to be pretty convenient so then it comes down to the vibe of the place, who/ what type of person you want to be bumping into at Sainsbury’s, in the corner shop, in the park, crossing the road etc. Some areas (like the city and Pimlico a bit) have a mass exodus for the weekend. Others (like Shoreditch) become party central. Others like Knightsbridge are obviously much more established but attract lots of money from overseas and might have fewer people who live there permanently. Personally I couldn’t cope with Primrose Hill or Hampstead for this reason (the entitlement, obvious money, rudeness etc began to grate), but that’s a personal choice.

Barbican as long as you don’t have pets. Borough and London Bridge is buzzy. Holborn/Clarkenwell has lovely green spaces.

Have you lived there? I did, and found it pretty grim.

I moved to Wapping, right on the river, and was much happier there.

Great call - love Pimlico - forgotten about there - one of those places that hasn’t changed too much over the years and walkable to river, parks etc

I loved it there! I love concerts and was great to be able to pop down and see the LSO, then nip to Smithfield’s for a late dinner and drinks. We have children and pets now, so not suitable anymore unfortunately. Maybe when we eventually retire!

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/131032793

What about this. Nice flat and close to green space

We nearly bought a flat in Wapping 3 years ago. We love the river, views, pubs and the quiet streets - but it was the lack of green space that made us change our minds.

That’s a good call - lived on Charlotte St in my 20s - could walk everywhere. Never really sure where Marylebone ends and Fitzrovia starts.

Oh gosh - me too!!

In my dreams I would love a little place in Hampstead Heath with unlimited funds to properly enjoy the city

Also if you’re set on 3 beds have a think about if the types of property you want are available. It’s probably more likely that you’ll find 3 decent beds in a mansion flat or other purpose built place (like the Barbican) than in converted houses (like Pimlico) or industrial buildings (like Shoreditch or borough), or in modern developments. In the latter cases you’d probably be looking at a small house or duplex which is much more expensive.

This is our dream retirement too.

We're looking at Clarkenwell, Greenwich (Cutty Sark area), Shad Thames / London Bridge area and just off Oxford Street type.

We're South London at the moment and are more towards staying south and on the river. Greenwich is the front runner as we can get a gorgeous river side apartment, easy access to the DLR and Greenwich park all near by.

Barbican. I think I read once that it has the most amazing sound-proofing, which I think would be fantastic in London.
plus I really like it there.

Shad Thames

I lived in the Barbican for a year. It wasn't for me - too soulless and deserted at the weekend but I know other people who loved it.