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Original poster

Searching for homes in London ~ 2B/500k

27 replies

MilieuFoods · 09/04/2025 14:35

My DH and I are searching for homes in London. At this point we can afford up to 550k. We need a 2B because helps when we have guests over.

We've been renting in Hammersmith for ~4 years and love W/SW London. However, do recognise that this area would be unaffordable.

DH works from office in the city every so ideally want to be in zones 2/3 or 4 with a high speed rail connection. We've been looking at Maida Vale, Swiss Cottage, Finchley Road, Kilburn, West Hampstead in the W/NW. Also been looking along the Northern line up to Hendon/Colindale, select areas on the Piccadilly line and Walthamstow. Have considered east london but can't find safe areas the we end up liking.

Don't know much about S/SE.

Would appreciate any recommendations on areas we might want to consider or reviews on the areas listed above, thank you!

OP posts:
MsBubbles85 · 09/04/2025 17:05

If you are fine with a flat, I'd recommend Surbiton, some trains take only 17 mins to get to Waterloo and the ones that take the longest would be 29 mins. I used to work in the city and it would take me 50 mins max door to door to get to my office.
Maybe in Tolworth you could stretch to a house, but the trains are less frequent.
Esher/Claygate could be good but you are out of being able to use contactless and need a travelcard for the train.

Re the flat, I would look for the ones that say share of freehold and not the leasehold ones. (Double check this always with the EA as they sometimes put leasehold but it is a share of freehold)

MH0084 · 09/04/2025 20:02

Hi OP, I live in Muswell Hill, and it’s easy to get to the city via train from Alexandra Park station. You can find flats in that price range in the area or even towards Bounds Green which has the convenience of being in the Piccadilly Line and a train station (less frequently than from AP).

Original poster
MilieuFoods · 10/04/2025 11:49

MsBubbles85 · 09/04/2025 17:05

If you are fine with a flat, I'd recommend Surbiton, some trains take only 17 mins to get to Waterloo and the ones that take the longest would be 29 mins. I used to work in the city and it would take me 50 mins max door to door to get to my office.
Maybe in Tolworth you could stretch to a house, but the trains are less frequent.
Esher/Claygate could be good but you are out of being able to use contactless and need a travelcard for the train.

Re the flat, I would look for the ones that say share of freehold and not the leasehold ones. (Double check this always with the EA as they sometimes put leasehold but it is a share of freehold)

Thank you! This is super helpful. Have a few colleagues who live in Esher so was always curious. 30 mins to Waterloo sounds very convincing and yes, prefer a freehold/share of freehold in general.
Will schedule some viewings and get a sense of the area this weekend or after Easter.

OP posts:
Original poster
MilieuFoods · 10/04/2025 11:51

MH0084 · 09/04/2025 20:02

Hi OP, I live in Muswell Hill, and it’s easy to get to the city via train from Alexandra Park station. You can find flats in that price range in the area or even towards Bounds Green which has the convenience of being in the Piccadilly Line and a train station (less frequently than from AP).

Hi, Love Muswell Hill, have been around that area for a few walks. Would love to check it out.
Isn't Bounds Green and the other side of alexanda palace too close to Wood Green? Has that ever been an issue? I have not heard very great things about Wood Green

OP posts:
Original poster
MilieuFoods · 10/04/2025 11:53

SquidgibleDirigible · 09/04/2025 17:16

Windrush line is great for the City, look at Brockley/Honor Oak/Forest Hill/Sydenham.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/159156899#/?channel=RES_BUY freehold, 3 bed, garden, 0.4 miles from FH station.

Never considered these! Thank you - checking these areas out right now for properties. Will probably also go to some of these places to get a feel. Turns out I know nothing about these places :/

OP posts:
classrea · 10/04/2025 21:22

Parts of West London could still be doable, we have bought on a similar budget within the last year. Although I don't think it's terribly convenient for the City, but it sounds like you're used to the commute. We are within walking distance of our offices, which I can certainly recommend for a better quality of life.

Eg 2 bed near Goldhawk Rd
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/158368604#/?channel=RES_BUY

Also near Goldhawk Rd
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/159915899#/?channel=RES_BUY

2 bed near Kensington Olympia
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/155800250#/?channel=RES_BUY

Check out this 2 bedroom flat for sale on Rightmove

2 bedroom flat for sale in Sulgrave Road, Hammersmith, London, W6 for £500,000. Marketed by Foxtons, Shepherds Bush

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/158368604#/?channel=RES_BUY

Chilena2022 · 11/04/2025 01:22

Avoid leasehold, you will never sleep well at night. Too many problems

Semiramide · 11/04/2025 01:33

Some ex-council flats in certain boroughs can be very nice and affordable. I'm thinking Putney, Wandsworth, Sheen, which are run by Wandsworth Borough Council, which is very efficient. I expect there may be similar in other parts of London - talk to a few estate agents.

Twiglets1 · 11/04/2025 05:33

MilieuFoods · 10/04/2025 11:51

Hi, Love Muswell Hill, have been around that area for a few walks. Would love to check it out.
Isn't Bounds Green and the other side of alexanda palace too close to Wood Green? Has that ever been an issue? I have not heard very great things about Wood Green

Show quote history

I wouldn’t say Bounds Green is that close to Wood Green but Muswell Hill is much nicer. You could also consider East Finchley.

Original poster
MilieuFoods · 20/04/2025 17:30

MsBubbles85 · 09/04/2025 17:05

If you are fine with a flat, I'd recommend Surbiton, some trains take only 17 mins to get to Waterloo and the ones that take the longest would be 29 mins. I used to work in the city and it would take me 50 mins max door to door to get to my office.
Maybe in Tolworth you could stretch to a house, but the trains are less frequent.
Esher/Claygate could be good but you are out of being able to use contactless and need a travelcard for the train.

Re the flat, I would look for the ones that say share of freehold and not the leasehold ones. (Double check this always with the EA as they sometimes put leasehold but it is a share of freehold)

Loved surbiton. Going there to view some properties this coming week! Thanks

OP posts:
MsBubbles85 · 20/04/2025 17:31

@MilieuFoods great! You can private message me if you want more information about the different areas.

Original poster
MilieuFoods · 20/04/2025 17:32

Semiramide · 11/04/2025 01:33

Some ex-council flats in certain boroughs can be very nice and affordable. I'm thinking Putney, Wandsworth, Sheen, which are run by Wandsworth Borough Council, which is very efficient. I expect there may be similar in other parts of London - talk to a few estate agents.

I saw a few. I would like to register my kitchen for my small business in the food space (I do rent a kitchen outside but use the one in my house for experiments and samples and such). I loved an ex-council in Fulham broadway but my solicitor and mortgage advisor both feel that getting a kitchen approved there is not easy! I wish it were easier:/

OP posts:
Original poster
MilieuFoods · 20/04/2025 17:34

Chilena2022 · 11/04/2025 01:22

Avoid leasehold, you will never sleep well at night. Too many problems

Second this - im so nervous with a leasehold arrangement!

OP posts:
kirinm · 20/04/2025 21:41

Chilena2022 · 11/04/2025 01:22

Avoid leasehold, you will never sleep well at night. Too many problems

🙄

Usernameaplenty · 20/04/2025 22:41

Telegraph Hill?

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/159991469#/media?activePlan=1&id=media0&ref=floorPlanPage&channel=RES_BUY

This is close to Brockley (Windrush line) and Nunhead (Southeastern and Thameslink) stations.

Original poster
MilieuFoods · 01/05/2025 16:46

Usernameaplenty · 20/04/2025 22:41

Telegraph Hill?

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/159991469#/media?activePlan=1&id=media0&ref=floorPlanPage&channel=RES_BUY

This is close to Brockley (Windrush line) and Nunhead (Southeastern and Thameslink) stations.

I checked this property out and loved the area as well as the house! Such a shame that the freehold construct of that house doesn’t work out :(
However, looking for more in this area

OP posts:
ACynicalDad · 01/05/2025 17:58

Woolwich is worth a look, particularly the Arsenal

kirinm · 01/05/2025 17:59

MilieuFoods · 01/05/2025 16:46

I checked this property out and loved the area as well as the house! Such a shame that the freehold construct of that house doesn’t work out :(
However, looking for more in this area

Show quote history

What do you mean by freehold construct? Most of the flats in TH are share of freehold - is that what you’re after?

Usernameaplenty · 01/05/2025 20:42

@MilieuFoods It's a shame that it didn't work out - at least you have another area on the radar!

YourMerryNavyDreamer · 02/05/2025 09:43

What about Bromley. Much of it in Zone 4. Commute into Victoria in about 20 min plus links to Blackfriars
Pretty safe and nice. Not as nice as SW

There's a few 2beds under £500k. Plus freehold houses rather than flats. For example

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/159309770#/?channel=RES_BUY

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/87081414#/?channel=RES_BUY

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/160513376#/?channel=RES_BUY

That was just a quick search

Used to live there before we moved. Think ticks most of your boxes

Papricat · 02/05/2025 18:38

Save more and buy freehold.

Usernameaplenty · 03/05/2025 13:51

This house in East Dulwich looks as though it needs a lot of work, but it might have potential:

https://www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/69002588/?search_identifier=5079e9eccf7353298b7da520d5b1b9d124f46018e3a762920506f774e278d38c

It is leasehold though (a very long one) and the nearest station is a 20 minute walk.

BovineJuice2 · 04/05/2025 10:35

Check out Bromley. DS has just bought a lovely Victorian two bed end of terrace in a nice close, only 6 minutes walk from Bromley South (zone 4, trains to Victoria take 15 minutes, regular trains). Large shopping centre (The Glades) and High Street all short walk away. It was £480k.