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)?

That’s a good spot - also the ones that were ‘sold’ from those links sold at exactly the asking price - so looks like RM not updating. Thanks for that insight.

Hi! I think premium areas have dropped substantially. Hard to say whether they will continue to dive but nothing nearly the £2m and above mark is moving with the threats of local taxes looming. Luckily, you’re well clear of this price point. Since you’re keen on low service charges, how about this freehold coach house? It’s been on for ages and has the potential to extend. Two beds and needs refurbishment but it has off street parking and a huge garden in an area you ruled out due to cost! www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/87756720

Thanks for that but looks like too much work for me at this stage.

Is there a way to see sold price vs asking price on RM?

I think in your position, I'd find a really good estate agent and tell them your requirements and budget and see what they come up with. I do think flats are moving slowly (or not at all), so that's in your favour. I think in your price bracket you can find something nice but you're probably going to have to compromise a bit somewhere - either on the size of the flat or the location.

I'm not in love with Maida Vale. I don't know why, but I find it a bit meh. We're in Notting Hill, which I love, but it would be a rare day that I'd walk to the west end - I've done it, but life doesn't really allow time for that all that often 😅.

One other suggestion is to not rule out taking a look at Queens Park. It's got a really nice high street these days, lots of restaurants, a great farmers' market, and the Bakerloo (straight into Marylebone, central, and Embankment for a quick walk across the bridge to the south bank) and the overground (Hampstead, Islington and East) are both super convenient. In our 20+ years in London we've lived in the heart of Chelsea, QP and Notting Hill, and I have to say that QP was my favourite in some ways. We have a car but could easily have done without it. I know it's not the same as a two block walk to the theatre, but it's worth a look.

Sounds like an exciting move. Let us know what you find!

Thanks so much @certainlycertain- I know what you mean by Maida Vale - that’s why it wasn’t in my initial consideration 3 years ago - it’s also where lots of my friends lived in the early 90s and when we all graduated but I lived in Angel and lovely it and always felt MV was a bit tame - but having visited again recently that’s probably more up my street these days - I don’t want buzzy bars and restaurants on my doorstep - peaceful and leafy suits me more.

London flats have fallen over the last year and I think they have further to fall. It wouldn't be crazy to rent for a bit especially given the RRA and the fact you can leave anywhere with two months' notice.

Maida Vale is nice, great for getting west and there are lots of good flats in your price range- decent quality mansion flats not crappy new builds. It's a much longer walk into town then other places you've mentioned- got to be an hour- but the Bakerloo line is super quick into town. I always feel it doesn't really have a heart as a place- I don't mean it's soulless just that I'm not really sure where I'd say the centre is and that perhaps gives less of a community feel, but I think you said that's not an issue.

I remembered this thread quite clearly and so it’s nice to see you back OP! I live in Maida Vale and can totally understand some of the comments; it doesn’t have a centre in the that, say, St John’s Wood or Primrose Hill do. But I also don’t thing that’s a bad thing per se. I don’t really find myself missing a ‘centre’. I like to have some useful shops nearby, a couple of local restaurants/pubs and some outside space. Paddington Rec is a great facility and obviously it’s not far to walk to Regents Park. Being a quick tube/20ish minute walk to Paddington is also incredibly handy, especially for going to Heathrow.

I don’t think that the market is great but I follow a local estate agent on Instagram and there are some nice flats around for sure.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/88902882#/?channel=RES_BUY

I love this. Lamb’s conduit street has a lovely vibe.

That's lovely! But I think @TintyMintyy wanted freehold?

I posted on this thread way back - and it came back on my Threads I'm on list.

How exciting OP! This is still my plan although quite a few years off for me I think (given kids etc). I'm surprised you don't want a community? I would I think, but I am single too so maybe I need more company than you do. I agree with you on green spaces, but then again I am drawn to the Barbican. I think purpose built or mansion flats do have better proportions than conversions, but can see the service charge may be an issue. I do like Primrose Hill and think that is central enough - I ride my bike around and it's not far to the west end from there. And agree with other posters that Maida Vale seems soul-less. I wouldn't want to be surrounded by banker types I don't think. Arty is better (even if they're very wealthy arty types!).

Anyway I'll live vicariously through you for the time being and continue to lurk on this thread!

Thanks @HelenHywater - when I don’t want a community it’s not because I’m antisocial it’s because I have loads of family and friends in London already and 6 different friends from my current village have already made the move to central London and those that haven’t are always in town at something or other so lots of opportunities to meet up. Also two of my oldest best friends one was living in Kent and another in Surrey have also moved one to Clerkenwell and the other Marylebone so have a network already. I will get involved with neighbours and join local book and running group etc but I don’t feel under pressure to make lots of new friends as I don’t feel that I’m moving somewhere where I don’t know anyone.

You would not need to invest in community in Kensington- mamy wealthy people come and go and those who live there full time dont impose as it's not a small enough area.

Very good for theatres via Earls Court tube (20min to Covent Garden) or by buses, also to South Bank, Green spaces central!
I would say Primrose HIll is more community focussed though not hugely.

The actual centre isn't green as such (Covent Garden) but I think it's got something magnetic.

Mayfair central and close to Green Park but you will not 3-bed for that price (Kensington and Primrose also a stretch unless lower ground floor or top high up no lift or shorter lease).

Also if you don't like to do online food shopping you have to think of practicalities - normal supermarkets, not just bijou shops with high prices and limited. I just wouldn't live around Oxford st as ther is just M&S and many tourists, it's forever crowded.

Marylebone is ok as has a High St but limited and pretty crowded again. Kensington High St is great as has several supermarkets, so does King's Rd chelsea.

I would go for either of these two (having lived in both) - but I wouldn't say no to a one-bed in Covent Garden tucked in somewhere (if I lived out of London part of the time)

I spent a year flat sitting in Chancery lane, close to hatton garden, really liked it, so quiet after offices closed, great food market in Leather lane in week days and local shops and walked all over. i would live there again maybe in the future, this was a council flat on the estate and was very pleasant.

I absolutely love this one. If I won the lottery, this would be viewed the very next day.
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/91898625#/?channel=RES_BUY