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Original poster

Daughter moving to London

78 replies

Pimmsandstawbs · 13/07/2023 15:03

I am fairly new on here but have found these threads so useful I am hoping you can help! My 32 year old daughter is moving to London next year for a job. It is her dream job but not dream pay unfortunately. She has done house shares etc for years, is single, and with a little bit of money left by a grandparent I am trying to help her buy somewhere - please don’t laugh at the budget as it is tiny (under 250k). We know that this really limits where she can live and that it is going to be the smallest of flats. I am doing my best to advise her and want to help make sure she is able to live in a ‘safe’ area as far as possible especially as she’s on her own. I don’t want to sound snobby and I am not, just aware that some of the one beds in more affordable areas look a bit grim. She will be commuting mainly to Kings Cross area but may also have to travel around out east. I live in the midlands now and don’t know London so well (lived there when much younger).

Areas we have started to look at are Enfield, Acton, South East London as far out as Penge/Anerley, Wembley. She has rented in London previously more centrally and is keen to get out of the rental thing. Also have researched shared ownership but feel there are too many problems with that.
Thank you for any ideas and help!

OP posts:
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DiscoStusMoonboots · 13/07/2023 17:57

Rosieblues · 13/07/2023 15:22

What about Walthamstow? Its vibrant, relatively cheap (well by London standards), very up and coming, and has lots going on locally. It used to be a bit rough around the edges but is gentrifying rapidly. It would also be a straight forward commute to Kings Cross.

I live in Walthamstow and it is not cheap by any stretch of the imagination - in fact, it's having a bit of a 'moment' and prices are going up rapidly. A one-bed flat on my road (not even a nice part of Walthamstow) is currently on for £390,000.

Peanutbutteryday · 13/07/2023 19:03

Rosieblues · 13/07/2023 15:22

What about Walthamstow? Its vibrant, relatively cheap (well by London standards), very up and coming, and has lots going on locally. It used to be a bit rough around the edges but is gentrifying rapidly. It would also be a straight forward commute to Kings Cross.

Agree with east but outskirts. Walthamstow.

South Woodford. In e18 you could get a one bed for that price (South Woodford) or near. South Woodford is on central line but it’s quick - or you can get one bus to Victoria line at Walthamstow. Wanstead is nicer but she can easily walk up to wanstead if living in South Woodford. South Woodford is nice too but Wanstead more villagy. I live in between both!!

Sharing an example link

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/133385810

Check out this 1 bedroom apartment for sale on Rightmove

1 bedroom apartment for sale in Maybank Road, London, E18 for £285,000. Marketed by Stirling Ackroyd, New Homes

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/133385810

Peanutbutteryday · 13/07/2023 19:05

Oh also. South Woodford has very easy access to m11 so you can nip out of London and up north in no time.

Original poster
Pimmsandstawbs · 13/07/2023 19:07

Haven’t heard much about South Woodford before, so interesting. I get a bit confused about which parts of East London/Essex feel ok and which might be a bit rough. Any input welcome.

OP posts:
Peanutbutteryday · 13/07/2023 19:46

Pimmsandstawbs · 13/07/2023 19:07

Haven’t heard much about South Woodford before, so interesting. I get a bit confused about which parts of East London/Essex feel ok and which might be a bit rough. Any input welcome.

Anything with an E post code is east London (E for east London not E for Essex!). So E18 (South Woodford) and e11 (wanstead) are London . I’m biased but for her budget South Woodford could be a good place to look.

Maybe I’m relaxed but I think most parts of London are fine to live in! Nicer areas probably are South Woodford, Wanstead, chingford (certain bits not so nice), Walthamstow (also certain nicer bits). Leyton Leytonstone are ok too. South Woodford Wanstead and chingford are the more suburban areas of east London if that helps differentiate?

dreamersdown · 13/07/2023 20:21

Sounds like @Peanutbutteryday has you covered but as someone who lives in and loves Chingford, happy to help with E London/ Essex reccs

Peanutbutteryday · 13/07/2023 20:35

Peanutbutteryday · 13/07/2023 19:46

Anything with an E post code is east London (E for east London not E for Essex!). So E18 (South Woodford) and e11 (wanstead) are London . I’m biased but for her budget South Woodford could be a good place to look.

Maybe I’m relaxed but I think most parts of London are fine to live in! Nicer areas probably are South Woodford, Wanstead, chingford (certain bits not so nice), Walthamstow (also certain nicer bits). Leyton Leytonstone are ok too. South Woodford Wanstead and chingford are the more suburban areas of east London if that helps differentiate?

Show quote history

Ah sorry typo on my post! It was meant to say:

Maybe I’m relaxed but I think most parts of East London are fine to live in

Turmerictolly · 13/07/2023 20:38

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/135844271

Hither Green in the borough of Lewisham is nice. Great transport links, nice community.

Turmerictolly · 13/07/2023 20:44

Or a bit further out, Sidcup? Right by the station 22 minutes to London Bridge

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/133425686

Hollyppp · 13/07/2023 21:50

Pimmsandstawbs · 13/07/2023 16:57

I know it can be good and I have commuted like that long ago but it would cost a fortune in travel from there and where she lives the property prices are at London levels anyway. Also likely to be a lot of after work commitments and travel within the Greater London area so the initial commute would just be the start. 😮

Ah I see! I’m guessing she currently lives in Cambridge? An hour from london and similar prices

TomorrowToday · 13/07/2023 21:55

Champagneforeveryone · 13/07/2023 15:19

Can't help you with London specific advice, but we live in an expensive part of the Southwest and are in a shared ownership. Realistically it was the only way we could afford to get on the housing ladder in the area we love.

IME (not a large sample to be fair!) it's definitely worth looking into. I know it's not as good as owning 100% of your own property, but I own 60% with the option to buy up to 100 <hollow laugh> Every month a small amount of my housing cost is paid in rent rather than all of it. I have the security of knowing I won't be given two months notice.

I was initially assessed as being able to purchase 40%, my wonderful mortgage broker snorted and easily managed 60%.

The only issue you may find is a lot of properties will require a local connection (though I'm not sure how this is determined TBH)

Lived in the area. Work in the area. Family in the area.

ShadowPuppets · 13/07/2023 22:01

South Norwood isn’t perfect but it’s brilliant for connections and we lived there happily from 2016/2021, lovely few pubs and shops. I lived across the road from this place and if you can put up with football every other weekend it’s lovely! Always felt safe walking back at night etc https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/131312684#/?channel=RES_BUY

Check out this 1 bedroom flat for sale on Rightmove

1 bedroom flat for sale in Holmesdale Road, London, SE25 for £240,000. Marketed by Barnard Marcus, Thornton Heath

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/131312684#/?channel=RES_BUY

TheYearOfSmallThings · 13/07/2023 22:08

Whataretheodds · 13/07/2023 15:55

Apparently there are lots of new developments of flats in Blackorse Road, one down from Walthamstow

Those are overpriced tower blocks. I don't think you would get anything for £250 and if you could you probably shouldn't because the way they threw those things up, I am willing to bet there will be expensive construction issues in the future.

Original poster
Pimmsandstawbs · 13/07/2023 22:36

Yes!

OP posts:
Original poster
Pimmsandstawbs · 13/07/2023 22:41

Turmerictolly · 13/07/2023 20:44

Or a bit further out, Sidcup? Right by the station 22 minutes to London Bridge

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/133425686

That’s a lovely apartment, hadn’t thought of Sidcup!

OP posts:
tigerbear · 13/07/2023 22:53

This is just round the corner from where I live, and is a very nice area of Greenwich. Liz Truss lives across the road though! 😬😄
Tiny flat, but a bit quirky.
5 min walk to Greenwich station, and from there, the Thameslink train goes direct to KX in about 15-20 min.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/126407882

Check out this 1 bedroom apartment for sale on Rightmove

1 bedroom apartment for sale in Greenwich South Street, Greenwich, SE10 8PP, SE10 for £250,000. Marketed by Felicity J Lord, Greenwich

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/126407882

good96 · 13/07/2023 22:54

I’ve just had a look on RM - there are a few properties on there for £250k - mainly 1 bed flats/maisonettes - but it looks like they need a fair bit of work doing to them- so I’d definitely consider having a budget for renovation works…
12 months is a long time - she could meet someone in that time and then might be able to afford a more expensive property?

Growlybear83 · 13/07/2023 22:59

I would second Penge, as well as Crystal Palace, Sydenham and Forest Hill which are all relatively safe areas. Brockley, Nunhead and Crofton Park are all nice but would probably be too expensive. I would avoid Lewisham, Peckham, and Catford, none of which I would consider are safe areas for women to walk around alone at night.

Turmerictolly · 13/07/2023 23:15

tigerbear · 13/07/2023 22:53

This is just round the corner from where I live, and is a very nice area of Greenwich. Liz Truss lives across the road though! 😬😄
Tiny flat, but a bit quirky.
5 min walk to Greenwich station, and from there, the Thameslink train goes direct to KX in about 15-20 min.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/126407882

That's a great price for central Greenwich- tiny though.

NBLarsen · 13/07/2023 23:26

Would she consider a shared-ownership property? With a small budget, that might be the best option to get a decent sized nice place. I have a one-bedroom shared ownership flat, great size, with balcony, park right outside, costs me just over £1K/month for mortgage/rent/bills, in E2 area - easy commute to Kings Cross (I actually work there too!) and to travel out east. There are a quite a few others up for sale in the same area including on my street.

tigerbear · 13/07/2023 23:28

@Turmerictolly indeed!
But no high service charge in comparison to a new build.

sawnotseen · 13/07/2023 23:36

Agree re Lewisham. I lived there when I was young and commuting. Lee /Hither Green

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