Where to live in London?

[Max]

Hi folks,

In September I will start a new job, based between Great Portland Street and Goodge Street in London and would be interested to hear of any recommendations on suitable areas to live. I am hoping to pay in the region of 550-600 a month (at the most) and would like to limit my commute to about 45 minutes. Safety of the area is important to me and I would also like good local shops and pubs. Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

 

[IanD]

Milton Keynes 35-40 mins to Euston then walk the rest.

 

[Crossover]

Urgh, MK :P

 

[radamfi]

MK is cheap, though, and mostly safe. Other options into Euston would probably have high rents or worse safety.

 

[Max]

I do feel though that, as an urban planner, it would surely be a contradiction if I lived in such an icon of poor planning?

I am more interested in places within London if I'm being honest.

 

[asylumxl]

I do feel though that, as an urban planner, it would surely be a contradiction if I lived in such an icon of poor planning?

I am more interested in places within London if I'm being honest.

Since MK was essentially an experiment in urban planning by urban planners, what does that say about people in your profession? :P

 

[radamfi]

I do feel though that, as an urban planner, it would surely be a contradiction if I lived in such an icon of poor planning?

I am more interested in places within London if I'm being honest.

In that case, on that budget you'll probably have to sacrifice a bit of safety and live in an 'OK' area. Maybe you can rent a small room in a good area for that price.

For trains into Euston, Harrow isn't too bad and maybe isn't that expensive. In broad terms, north and west London is safer but more expensive, but there are always pockets that are less safe, such as Willesden and Harlesden.

My personal preference if I had to live within zones 1-6 is the edge of SW London, which is safe, costs quite a lot, but nowhere near as much as prestigious areas closer to the centre such as Wimbledon and Putney. When I got my first job in London I got a room in Kingston and after a few months got my own flat in Surbiton for the 12 minute train trip into Waterloo. That was in 1996 and the room was £80 per week, so maybe that would now be £120 per week. That wouldn't be that convenient for Great Portland Street, which is why you were recommended a train into Euston earlier in this thread. Although it would probably meet the 45 minute threshold if you lived near Surbiton Station. Similar cheaper options would be Purley and Orpington, and Purley has a 24 hour train service.

Best thing to do is to take a day trip to London and travel around the areas under consideration. Get some mock insurance quotes for the area to see the relative safety of the area.

 

[33056]

Urgh, MK :P

Need a "like" button on here

I don't live far away but when we were house hunting MK was an absolute no-no, though some people I know love living there.

 

[Nym]

I see we're being as helpful here as you where when I asked the same question....
Remember to take into account season ticket costs and that not every train to and from MK only takes 35mins...

 

[EM2]

Are you looking for a flat for yourself (studio/1 bed) or a room in a house/flat?

 

[Max]

Thanks for those ideas radamfi. I stayed in a hotel near Surbiton for the job interview actually and found the journey to the office, at peak time, pretty straightforward, so I'm glad you suggested it.

Are you looking for a flat for yourself (studio/1 bed) or a room in a house/flat?

I will probably be more than happy to stay in a young professional houseshare to begin with!

 

[telstarbox]

Hi Max. I've found that as you go further out from central London, the cost of rent decreases faster than travel costs increase (e.g. rent + Travelcard costs less in Zone 5 than in Zone 2). The penalty is obviously slightly longer travel time, but somewhere like Bromley might be good - only 15 minutes to Victoria, but much more affordable than somewhere further in.

 

[Crossover]

MK is cheap, though, and mostly safe. Other options into Euston would probably have high rents or worse safety.

I think as with everywhere, there are areas to avoid - a couple were certainly mentioned to me (though I forget which ones!)

I wouldn't say it is unsafe, they I wouldn't go walking out alone at night, especially with the subways

Need a "like" button on here

I don't live far away but when we were house hunting MK was an absolute no-no, though some people I know love living there.

Wouldn't say it is a no-no, but having lived there for a year whilst on placement, it had novelty value for a while but I wouldn't go back in a hurry. I worked in Newport Pagnell so wasn't all bad as I went against the traffic on a morning and evening

I was in Bradwell Common and the area seemed pretty nice on the whole...though I got bored of counting sodding roundabouts! (I think it was about 16 on a 5 mile commute!) - that is down in the opposite "block" to the old hockey stadium (new Network Rail place) and a good 10-15 min walk to the station (a few mins closer is about as close as you can live, I believe). Although it was useful for getting home to the North without needing the car, and I didn't mind the commute to work, I didn't utilise it anywhere near enough for going travelling...a year in the area and I never did the Bedford or Abbey Lines!

As an aside Max, I found my place in MK through spareroom.co.uk - it is worth a look as anyone in the country can advertise, though some places have more to choose from than others. I will warn you though, some of the ads are flowered up a bit, as I found out :P

I also recall going to a talk at uni about grad jobs with Network Rail - at the time they were near Euston and the lady doing the talk said she lived in Bletchley and commuted in from there, as it was less costly than Central London. Of course, that has played the opposite way now since they are now based in MK!

 

[Bevan Price]

Found some property rental search sites that might let you see what is available. You can select the maximum monthly rental you wish (can afford) to pay. e.g.:-

http://www.primelocation.com/to-rent/

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/find.html?locationIdentifier=REGION^93917&maxPrice=600&googleAnalyticsChannel=renting

Most properties in the £500 to £600 per month seem to be a few miles from central London. Nowhere is 100% safe, but you can minimise risks - make sure your flat is securely locked at all times, avoid subways & dodgy pubs, etc., etc.

 

[W-on-Sea]

You could certainly find a small studio flat in West Hampstead/Kilburn for that price - which to my mind is one of the nicest, vaguely affordable, bits of inner London, with excellent transport connections (in all directions) & lots of charm & character

 

[asylumxl]

You could certainly find a small studio flat in West Hampstead/Kilburn for that price - which to my mind is one of the nicest, vaguely affordable, bits of inner London, with excellent transport connections (in all directions) & lots of charm & character

Are we thinking of the same Kilburn?

 

[W-on-Sea]

Yep, there is only one I know... I'd say steer clear of the 1960s estates (or what's left of them) just southwest of Kilburn Park tube, and in general prefer the bits that are in Camden borough over those in Westminster or Brent, but all in all it's a great place. I lived there for most of 1999-2007, and if or when I return to London, it's certainly the first place I'd look to live.

 

[Metrailway]

Hi folks,

In September I will start a new job, based between Great Portland Street and Goodge Street in London and would be interested to hear of any recommendations on suitable areas to live. I am hoping to pay in the region of 550-600 a month (at the most) and would like to limit my commute to about 45 minutes. Safety of the area is important to me and I would also like good local shops and pubs. Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

As your job is based near Great Portland Street, I think you should consider a location near a Metropolitan Line station, as the Met will have fast frequent services direct to Great Portland Street. Uxbridge is quite nice and commute time is around 45 minutes. Commute time from Harrow on the Hill is under 25 minutes.

On the Met Main Line north of Harrow in the deepests parts of Metro-land, you can still get commute times of under 50 minutes from Amersham but generally property prices on the main line branch (north of Harrow) are higher than on the Uxbridge branch.

 

[43021HST]

Would Barnet be expensive? Somewhere close to the northern line.

But to be to be honest, most places in London arent that bad, unless you annoy the wrong people.

 

[richw]

But to be to be honest, most places in London arent that bad, unless you annoy the wrong people.

This is the same anywhere in the country, even the quietest parts of Cornwall, although we have less of the "wrong people" to annoy!

I always look on RightMove.co.uk select all your requirements and budgets and it will give you a list of everywhere that meets your criteria. Found our current house through this site, and saves going round hundreds of agencys.
Alternatives include Zoopla etc, but always found a detailed search on right move to be the best by far

 

[CCF23]

Have you considered East London, plenty of nice newly built apartments in Docklands, Limehouse and Wapping. These are my favourite parts of London, especially Wapping, and are the areas that I want to move to once I leave home in a year or so. The location close to Central London is great with good transport links, plus there is the added attraction of being close to the river. The area is also very safe, I know East London like the back of my hand and have never had a problem. Some properties may be expensive but its worth a look. There are also plenty of pubs and shops in the area, and for nightlife Shoreditch and Brick Lane is not far, although neither is the West End, four night buses the N15, 277, N550 and N551 also serve the area, offering connections to the West End, as well as North and other parts of East London. Hope this is useful, Chris.

 

[phil8715]

I used to live in Watford. I bought a monthly season ticket but then I bought a scooter and it shaved 20 minutes door to door it was cheaper than using the train. This was 15 years ago though.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

 

[DaveNewcastle]

. . . a new job, based between Great Portland Street and Goodge Street . . . .

As it happens, I lived in Goodge Street for a while (a very long time ago) in a large one-roomed flat above an, er, shop. The shop is still there and I quite liked staying there. plenty fruit & veg shops, decent-ish cafes & pubs, quick and easy to get to anywhere in the West End or City and just as easy to get out of London.

I'd find that a lot better than long crowded commutes in and out of Central London every working day, just as long as I still had a 'proper home' elsewhere.

 

[Deerfold]

As it happens, I lived in Goodge Street for a while (a very long time ago) in a large one-roomed flat above an, er, shop. The shop is still there and I quite liked staying there. plenty fruit & veg shops, decent-ish cafes & pubs, quick and easy to get to anywhere in the West End or City and just as easy to get out of London.

I'd find that a lot better than long crowded commutes in and out of Central London every working day, just as long as I still had a 'proper home' elsewhere.

Having visited Goodge Street (to eat) on a number of occasions over the years I suspect I may have an idea of the type of shop you mean...

Having somewhere handy to go after an evening out in London (though that can be quite pricey in itself) in a lot more pleasant than a long commute. And is increasingly pricey. Just about anywhere in Zone 1 is easy to get to with (at worst) night buses.

 

[43021HST]

As it happens, I lived in Goodge Street for a while (a very long time ago) in a large one-roomed flat above an, er, shop. The shop is still there and I quite liked staying there. plenty fruit & veg shops, decent-ish cafes & pubs, quick and easy to get to anywhere in the West End or City and just as easy to get out of London.

I'd find that a lot better than long crowded commutes in and out of Central London every working day, just as long as I still had a 'proper home' elsewhere.

I imagine living somewhere like Goodge Street now would be too expensive for most people as it probably, has been yuppified, that's the problem with living in London, the yuppys have made it too darned expensive.

 

[Sun Chariot]

Have you considered East London, plenty of nice newly built apartments in Docklands, Limehouse and Wapping.

The OP's budget would necessitate a flat-share / house-share. 2005 to 2012, I lived in two properties on the Royal Docks (E16) and monthly rent of £1200-£1500 (excluding council tax and utilities) is typical. Limehouse and Wapping rents are even dearer.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

I imagine living somewhere like Goodge Street now would be too expensive for most people as it probably, has been yuppified, that's the problem with living in London, the yuppys have made it too darned expensive.

Not so the, er, shop I'm referring to.

There are some relatively basic flats available where for one reason or another prices are not as high as they could be. Some might have shared entrances, some might be 'cash in hand', or uninsured or uninsurable, or sub-let, or without planning permission - some might just be plain cheap! Such flats or rooms are not commonly publicised on-line or through agents, and may not be what Max is looking for.

 

[chorleyjeff]

Hi folks,

In September I will start a new job, based between Great Portland Street and Goodge Street in London and would be interested to hear of any recommendations on suitable areas to live. I am hoping to pay in the region of 550-600 a month (at the most) and would like to limit my commute to about 45 minutes. Safety of the area is important to me and I would also like good local shops and pubs. Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

Upminster
About 22 minutes to Fenchurch St then tube from Tower Hill

 

[Nick W]

Not so the, er, shop I'm referring to.

There are some relatively basic flats available where for one reason or another prices are not as high as they could be. Some might have shared entrances, some might be 'cash in hand', or uninsured or uninsurable, or sub-let, or without planning permission - some might just be plain cheap! Such flats or rooms are not commonly publicised on-line or through agents, and may not be what Max is looking for.

It didn't, er, involve 2 and 3 did it?

 

[Nym]

Upminster
About 22 minutes to Fenchurch St then tube from Tower Hill

And on the wrong side of London, making an additional 20min journey on LUL a requirement to get to work...

I'd honestly recomend somewhere up the Met line, WCML or out of Paddington.

Harrow has a fair few fast(ish) services into London and is also covered by the night bus network, others can recomend areas of Harrow.

Just bear in mind, it will ALWAYS be difficult to get a seat off either Harrow on the Hill or Harrow and Weldstone on either the Met Line or WCML Slow services (excluding one or two services that start at Watford Junction in the morning, namely the 0832 off HRW) and the met line starters from Harrow (there are usually one or two).

You can of course garuntee a seat if you need it, but you'd be on the Bakerloo to Baker Street or Regents' Park (For Goodge Street) and that takes in excess of 35 mins in the morning, and the early morning HRW services are frequently liable to cancellation before 7:30am if there are any Bakerloo Line fleet issues.