Does this sound like a realistic amount to spend on rent? (London)

[higeyne]

We are moving to London after living abroad. We don’t want to buy as not sure how long we’ll be here and really don’t want to be tied into a mortgage.

Ideally we’d like to live within 20 mins or so of work (near Temple) as we work long hours. We would like a two bed flat. Our take home pay will be around £12,000 so we were looking at flats around the £3,000 mark. Does that sound like a realistic amount for a two bedroom somewhere central?

Rightmove is your friend

We were paying £2900 a month for lovely 2.5 bed in maida vale

14.5 years ago

Thank you - reason I ask that where we previously lived, prices were heavily negotiated

So you were looking at £3k flats hoping to negotiate lower? I’m not clear

when were you last here? Very very little negotiation for London rentals when I was there. Certainly not for the good areas

No that is our concern - listed for £3k but actually goes for £3.5k a month

You often have to offer over asking to secure.

Yes likely

Ours was on at £2600 But bidding war

oh I loved that flat and location

Yes if it’s listed as £3K a month you need to be offering £3,500 or have a few months rent you can pay up front.

it’s actually criminal to be honest

I’d say tricky if only looking centrally and ‘desirable’ areas
would you consider zone 2, 25 - 30 min commute?

I know someone paying £2500 for 2b2b by Bow Road station (direct link to Temple station). Parts of Bow are okay but some areas aren’t that nice.
Stepney Green also doable at that price but I’m not sure I’d feel comfortable walking alone at night around there.

Another friend pays £2150 for 2b1b in Elephant & Castle (modern, even had 24h concierge). Although I don’t love the area, it’s safe and very convenient to get to places especially the City.

Try South - areas like Denmark Hill, Herne Hill and Camberwell have fast connections by rail into Blackfriars and are in zone2 with lots going on. They are well connected with the overground or Thamelink trains as well as lots of buses and the underground at Brixton or Kennington. Good for cycling too.

I used to live about 2 minutes from Denmark Hill station and remember fondly the commute - I used to get at 8:30, leave the house at 9, get the 9:08 train and was at my desk in Temple for 9:25.