Help! where would I live in London?

[DangerousMike]

Hi all,

currently i live in up north in York, where we manage to rent a nice-ish 2 bedroom terrace in the centre of town for less than £700pcm!

Am seriously considering a move to London. I would work in Kensington.

I have absolutely no knowledge of London at all. So, where is a nice area, reasonably priced (within the context of London - I recognise expenditure on rent would increase massively!), and easily commutable/close to kensington...

Thanks in advance.

[okgo]

What is your budget and what do you like?

Everywhere in London is easily commuteable to Kensingon within reason...

[DangerousMike]

probably 1000-1100 max per month...

I like trees and parks and a bit of peace and quiet - don't want somewhere too bustling.

local shops and a few restaurants etc. would be nice.

[okgo]

Is that for a two bed?

[DangerousMike]

could go up a bit for a 2 bed as that would be ideal, but i have no idea what is reasonable... if its a dingy 2 bed vs a nice 1 bed, 1 bed wins.

edit:

thanks

Edited by DangerousMike on Monday 2nd August 20:06

[okgo]

Well the district line serves Kensington I think.

So given what you've said, Richmond would work, although for your money you would be looking at a nice one bed, or if you upped it a bit you'd be onto a nice enough two bed ( for the record you've the same budget as me and I am moving to Richmond so know the prices over there). Or you could move to Wimbledon (preferably the village with your budget) again it would be a nice 1 bed, and you'd be in a nice place with plenty of places to eat, drink, walk etc but a bit closer to some more out there places, Clapham etc.

Now these places are not classed as London (although wimbledon has a london postcode) but they are on the right line for where you need, pleasant, with low crime, plenty of green. I see no need to move any further in when places like the above exist in such close proximity.

Edited by okgo on Monday 2nd August 20:07

[dougc]

Couple more questions Mike. Firstly, how old are you and secondly, do you definitely want a place to yourself/would you consider sharing? Might open up new areas for you?

[DangerousMike]

thanks, okgo.

I'm 28, though not really a typical 'young' person. I prefer staying in and reading etc. to going out and getting wrecked etc

Not really up for sharing, I live with my partner .

[dougc]

Gotcha.

Somewhere like Ealing Common might suit?

[okgo]

Which is like a st version of what I said?

[dougc]

At least its London countryboy

[okgo]

Richmond is close enough to London to warrant a postcode imo, especially given how far away some of the south london postcodes stretch.

[Neil H]

Wimbledon, Clapham would probably suit you and ok on that budget, or further out look at places on the main lines from Victoria which is the nearest train station to Kensington.

That's a decent budget so you could probably find somewhere central if you wanted.

[Office_Monkey]

Factor in other costs - council tax, also shopping trips, travel (expensive!!!), car parking etc etc. It will all add up, so may be worth considering more than just rental expenditure before you commit to a move. Richmond/Wimbledon are both nice, and beat Ealing hands down.

[okgo]

And for what he has said I can't entertain Clapham as an option either.

[Neil H]

Why? Parts of it are very quiet, a stones throw from some good bars/ restaurants and you have Clapham Common, Wandsworth Common and Tooting Bec Common all within reach. 5 minutes to Victoria from Clapham Junction.

[okgo]

Its just not as pleasant, and thats all very well, but all of those parks are nothing compared to Richmond Park. It just to me seems people love clapham for no real reason, I think its hugley over rated and expensive.

[Neil H]

True they're nicer, but a bit more expensive and further away - it's a balancing act. I have a mate in Clapham and he likes it - I agree it's overrated and full of Aussies, but it does have it's good points.

[BLUETHUNDER]

I loved Clapham how it was.Not how it is now.

[Johnnytheboy]

Putney?