Would you live in Central London or Zone 2/3?

[pinktinge]

We are going to move flats soon.

Option 1: Live in the middle of Zone 1 (near St Paul’s) and be able to walk to work in 20 minutes. Flat in a block with porter, balcony, urban setting.

Option 2: Live in leafy Zone 2/3 borders, 35 mins commute to work on tube. Garden flat in a victorian house.

I would prefer to enjoy the super central urban lifestyle but dh prefers something a bit more relaxed.

I really like the Barbican at weekends. And from there it's a short walk to the South Bank, Spitalfields, Clerkenwell/Exmouth Market. Given your working hours, I'd definitely plump for there.

I don't particularly like Clapham but it seems full of families and house shares (when I was first in London, I lived in a house share in Clapham North!).

The Barbican and environs are a desert at the weekend. Shops and cafes all closed. Seriously would not live there as I find it soulless.

The Barbican itself is nice. The water garden, residents garden etc are beautiful and it's a nice place to spend time. The surrounding area not so much!

Clapham tube at commuting time would make it a no for me - walking or bus to work in London is wins everytime- I'm a Londoner so fair share of experience with lots of different properties

It is nice- I nearly bought there but no dogs allowed.

I’ve done both. Would do option 1 again, wouldn’t do option 2 again. The extra time in the evening based on no travel makes a world of difference.

Given your age and working pattern, I’d do option 1
til your early mid thirties and then move to somewhere zone 1/2 borders. There are leafier parts of that and you can get the best of both worlds.

Also if you don’t already, I’d get a membership at Tate modern so you can use the members room. Stone’s throw from St Paul’s and amazing views.