Where in London would you buy in these circs

[WeegieW]

For two sharers, early 20s (so two decent bedrooms minimum)
Priority is location - somewhere with things going on -and being close to the tube.
Dont need a garden but a balcony would be nice (not essential)
Ideally east or north as need to visit family in Essex
Budget about £700k

Any suggestions very welcome.

E17 ! Or maybe Leyton near Francis rd.

As a radical suggestion, how about something like this in Bloomsbury? Two decent bedrooms, quiet street and near Kings Cross/Tottenham Court Road/Soho. You could walk anywhere and it would be easy to rent.

www.frankharris.co.uk/properties/20296021/sales

Prices in the centre are around 30% lower in nominal terms than 10 years ago, while the outer suburbs have risen.

In early 20s I would rent not buy. Chances of one or both people wanting to be somewhere else in two or three years are too high. It’s not really the age when people tend to settle down. In London the stamp duty from buying then selling two or three years later will be painful.

Walthamstow

This a million times over. Had a couple of friends do this years ago with a help to buy flat. Was initially all great but then one got engaged and they then wanted to buy somewhere / move in together etc. huge falling out, couldn’t sell flat, stuck for years with both unable to be in the same living room as one another. Either buy alone or just rent. You’ll thank us later.

I'm selling a 2-bed in Zone 2 London. You're welcome to PM me.