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Original poster

Where would you live - no kids central London?

123 replies

TintyMinty · 27/01/2023 10:20

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)?

OP posts:
Original poster
TintyMinty · 27/01/2023 11:04

Heronwatcher · 27/01/2023 10:49

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.

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.

All of those 3 areas for culture - not bothered about living amongst local pop ups etc and would run a mile from a party place. Happier to wander over to buzzy local places rather than live within them.

If people cleared out at the weekends or mostly lived abroad - all the better.

Anonymous back street walking distance to green space.

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ImmigrantAlice · 27/01/2023 11:05

TintyMinty · 27/01/2023 10:54

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.

Show quote history

Yes, that’s understandable. There are a couple of nice little parks, but not many.

We lived from there to West India Quay, where there’s even less, but loved being around so many bars and restaurants.

The South Bank has some very nice developments now, some of which are near the parks, but it sounds like you may want to be a bit further West.

ToBeOrNotToBee · 27/01/2023 11:06

On a narrow boat in little venice

ToBeOrNotToBee · 27/01/2023 11:06

On a narrow boat in little venice

FunnyItWorkedLastTime · 27/01/2023 11:06

Heronwatcher · 27/01/2023 10:59

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.

Loads of mansion flats in Pimlico/Victoria, and easy access to both the river and St James' Park.

That would be my pick.

MoleyAndGeorge · 27/01/2023 11:15

Bloomsbury. Lots of green space, and it has a proper community feel (eg Lambs Conduit Street) compared to much of the center. Plus a proper sized Waitrose, when anything more than an express sized supermarket is rare in Z1.

Original poster
TintyMinty · 27/01/2023 11:18

3 bed is a preference but not totally essential - does anyone know if that would put a huge cost or restriction on options?

I think older mansion block would be a preference just because I am assuming rooms sizes, layout and soundproofing would be better?

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Original poster
TintyMinty · 27/01/2023 11:20

tirednewmumm · 27/01/2023 10:53

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/131032793

What about this. Nice flat and close to green space

That’s beautifully laid out and decorated but personally on keen on that area as worked at St Mary’s for 10 years…..

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NellyBarney · 27/01/2023 11:22

I find Primrose Hill is quite a track on public transport. Spitalfields is lovely. Have you considered going East along the river towards/into docklands? Bermondsey or Greenwich are lovely and thanks to Elizabeth line/Uber clippers it's now so easy to get West. Why do you need 3 bedding retirement? There is very little in central London in your budget, you'd get much better location and spec for a 2 bed or even 1 bed for under 1.5 mil.

Passerillage · 27/01/2023 11:23

Canonbury or more broadly, Islington.

SD25 · 27/01/2023 11:24

I think your initial suggested areas sound about right.

Or Marylebone/W2 - parts of Bayswater/Padidngton/Westbourne Grove are quiet and more affordable than more central but you're still walkable to Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens/Regents Park and West End. Around Edgware Road/Paddington Station is a bit too busy but around it there are lots of quiet patches and great location.

Wiglio · 27/01/2023 11:25

Another vote for Pimlico, I like that it has a nucleus and you can get to the seaside on an hour

ImmigrantAlice · 27/01/2023 11:28

Wiglio · 27/01/2023 11:25

Another vote for Pimlico, I like that it has a nucleus and you can get to the seaside on an hour

Which seaside is an hour from Pimlico?

Original poster
TintyMinty · 27/01/2023 11:29

Wiglio · 27/01/2023 11:25

Another vote for Pimlico, I like that it has a nucleus and you can get to the seaside on an hour

Which seaside? As that’s my only reservation of going in so central to Pimlico or out East is getting back to the west to get out of the city for south coast (family in W Sussex and Dorset).

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Original poster
TintyMinty · 27/01/2023 11:30

SD25 · 27/01/2023 11:24

I think your initial suggested areas sound about right.

Or Marylebone/W2 - parts of Bayswater/Padidngton/Westbourne Grove are quiet and more affordable than more central but you're still walkable to Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens/Regents Park and West End. Around Edgware Road/Paddington Station is a bit too busy but around it there are lots of quiet patches and great location.

Thanks I will look more closely at W2

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Original poster
TintyMinty · 27/01/2023 11:34

NellyBarney · 27/01/2023 11:22

I find Primrose Hill is quite a track on public transport. Spitalfields is lovely. Have you considered going East along the river towards/into docklands? Bermondsey or Greenwich are lovely and thanks to Elizabeth line/Uber clippers it's now so easy to get West. Why do you need 3 bedding retirement? There is very little in central London in your budget, you'd get much better location and spec for a 2 bed or even 1 bed for under 1.5 mil.

3rd bed for home office really so we could compromise with that. I don’t want to go East as family and friends are West

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NellyBarney · 27/01/2023 11:38

1.2 won't get you 3 bed in W2 (without major compromise, like on a big road or in the attic without lift, or basement), but there is loads of lovely 2 and 1 bed places in that area if a guestroom could double up as homeoffice.

goldenbag · 27/01/2023 11:41

Brighton is about an hour give or take from Pimlico - train direct from Victoria

Wiglio · 27/01/2023 13:55

@TintyMinty you can get to Victoria in a few minutes from Pimlico and down to Brighton on the fast train in about 55 minutes then on the costal line across to West Sussex, not sure about Dorset though

TelHillTubby · 27/01/2023 14:21

Belsize Park?
Though to be easy commuting to family you’re probably looking at London Bridge or Waterloo perhaps. Not much green there. Pimlico near the Tate would be ideal perhaps. Very quiet but still a proper community. Sand’s End??

TelHillTubby · 27/01/2023 14:28

Is 5k a year too much for service charge? This is within budget: Right on the river! www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/126662885#/?channel=RES_BUY

TelHillTubby · 27/01/2023 14:44

OMG. It’s a house. Over your budget but been on since the summer so they may do a deal: www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/126484919#/?channel=RES_BUY.

Original poster
TintyMinty · 27/01/2023 14:56

Wow @TelHillTubby those are two amazing finds. I am beyond renovating another house (have done loads over the years) but that’s find. Love the Battersea penthouse flat - really stunning - can’t believe it has south facing terraces and river views.

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dew141 · 27/01/2023 14:58

Marylebone for me. We lived there (in the less posh end) in our 20s and currently flat hunting to move back in the next few years.

I love the High Street, walkability to things, close to Tube. It's expensive but prices there have fallen by 15% or so in the last five years.

Plexie · 27/01/2023 15:28

Another vote for Bloomsbury, in the quiet bit between the A4200 (Tavistock/Russell Square) and the A5200 (Grays Inn Road).

Little garden squares and green areas in the immediate area.

Interesting areas in all directions within walking distance (rejuvenated Kings Cross/Coal Drops Yard etc to the north; Sadlers Wells/Angel/Islington to the east; Holborn/Covent Garden/the Thames to the south; the West End).

Waitrose in the Brunswick Centre, also a cinema.

Good transport links: Kings Cross (East Coast Mainline to Scotland, Thameslink north & south eg Cambridge, Brighton), fast line to Kent; St Pancras (Eurostar); Euston (North West service, when it's running).

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