Facing Reality: Moving out of Posh West London

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Tongue in cheek title!

DH and I have been renting for the last 6 years since we moved to London. We’re ready to buy somewhere but not ready to live in nappy valley.

We’ve been renting a small flat in Chelsea for £2k a month. It would cost more like £2.6k a month on the open market today.

We want to buy somewhere with 2 or 3 bedrooms and garden/terrace/balcony. The reality of the matter is that we can’t afford anything in a posh bit of London that we’ve become so used to living in. So we will need to move out like countless people before us.

We are thinking maybe Greenwich, Herne Hill, or maybe even Brixton/Clapham borders. Our budget is about £800k so even then we’re being optimistic.

Tbh Brixton will be a rude awakening after Chelsea although it’s gentrified.

Do you want dc?

What about Wimbledon the cheaper bits?

Sutton. It's in the top 3 safest boroughs list (alongside Richmond and Kingston) and has excellent schools. It's near Wimbledon. 800K will get you a really nice house.

Herne Hill might be a bit too nappy valley for some. East Dulwich might be worth a look. You may also get something in parts of N London.

What is most important to you in terms of facilities/vibe/transport etc?

The homes for heroes bit of Herne Hill (Casino Ave, Red Post Hill etc) fits your budget but houses don't come up for sale often.

It's a nice area. Not Chelsea posh but Herne Hill has good transport links and lots of independent shops.

Brixton is great too but might be a bit of a shock to your system.

I had to do similar. Went from a five bedroom townhouse with London just a £30 train ride away, to a small three bed ex-council house with London £85 away!

I found it very demoralizing - be kind to yourself if you end up moving to somewhere you don’t love as much as the place you were previously renting. You’ll own it eventually and you’ll have freedom!

Do you have to get to work at another location?

Maybe a factor for commute

You can definitely buy a nice garden flat in Herne Hill/Clapham/Brixton for that budget

I agree Herne Hill and surrounding areas would be good for your budget.
I mean there are edgier bits around Brixton; but from my experience things can happen in leafier bits of Clapham just as easily.
Herne Hill is a lovely part of london.

How about this flat?

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/142869872

Have a look at Strawberry Hill and Teddington, much more genteel than Brixton and Herne Hill, also South Wimbledon, Surbiton.

Stockwell might be affordable although not the really naice bits

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/140199794#/?channel=RES_BUY

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/142542725#/?channel=RES_BUY

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/141768260#/?channel=RES_BUY

Or Kennington/Oval

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/138543707#/?channel=RES_BUY

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/86511498#/?channel=RES_BUY

Your budget should get you something in Pimlico as well

Do you want a flat? I would try & get a house personally.

Do you want move-in ready or are you happy with a fixer upper?

brawnthesheep has asked a very important question as some of the areas mentioned are absolutely fine to live in as an adult but you wouldn't want your children to go to any of the schools or even nurseries.

Ofsted ratings mean very little as you really need to know the area.

Brockley / Nunhead / Telegraph Hill are all lovely, and you could get a smaller 3 bed house for that budget. Lovely places, good community feel, good transport links into central London, and some great school.

SchoolS even!

In your situation I would consider Sands End. Near lots of things you would be familiar with but that bit cheaper. You could get a converted Victorian 2 bed with garden or terrace for £700kish. Too of budget would open up Parsons Green too.

It won’t be the biggest flat but you could get a flat in Islington / De Beauvoir for that which while not Chelsea, won’t feel as suburban as the other ideas. Also try Walworth or Camberwell, if you want to stay central ish though that will REALLY not feel like Chelsea

I would not want to live in Brixton or Stockwell. I lived in that area when I was a student flat-sharing and frankly it would not be my choice to buy somewhere there...

I would start by looking at you and your partner commute and then list a few areas that might be suitable.

Have you also thought of somewhere like Beckenham if you are looking at South London?: trains to Victoria and it is a lovely part of London with a great park, swimming pool & decent high street.

Depending on your commute there are places North East like Wanstead and South Woodford that are really nice to live in and they are on the central line.

All the above would be good for kids.

Hi!
I'm exactly on your same situation. What happend at the end?
Which neighbour did you move o you like?
Thanks!