Moving to London

Advice on finding somewhere to live

[BlobFisk]

Hi All,

I am moving job and relocating to London. I'm very much looking forward to it, however, finding somewhere to live is proving to be a challenge.

I'll be working in South Kensigton and hope to live somewhere not too far away from there.

TIA

[chris_f]

Hi Alex,

You best off living away from South Ken and commuting in via tube. You'll still be under 30 minutes away.

Wimbledon, Putney and Fulham are you best bet for nice areas with some (debatably) reasonable priced housing.

This tube map [tube.tfl.gov.uk] should help you pick a spot that's easy to travel from.

Have a look at the property websites and list some areas that come up for you. That way we can comment on what your looking at (rather than off the cuff remarks).

Chris

[BlobFisk]

Thanks Chris!

[limbo]

Hi blobfisk

Kensington is a VERY nice area :) and also very accessible by tube and bus.

Property in that area will be very highly priced. As well as chris_f's suggestions I would also look at Blackheath and Clapham Common - both are cheaper than Kensington but offer excellent housing (inc rented if you were looking for a 'base') and good localised nightlife/restaurants shopping etc next to large parks. And both are one tube change from the circle line. I have not lived there but commuted from kent and for many years so know the south of London pretty well through family, friends and work.

Good luck with the move

Ta

Limbo

[John_Caius]

[vebra.com...] and [rightmove.co.uk...] will give you the biggest database of properties to look at AFAIK - they cover a high proportion of agents. For less expensive living a little further out, try Harrow to the north, Richmond and Croydon to the south (probably 30-45min commute) - depends on your budget! Ealing's a bit more residential than Fulham but both are pretty pricey. Many people also live in Hammersmith and commute in.

[BlobFisk]

Thanks everyone for your advice!

[Shak]

the hip and happening parts in my opinion would be:

Covent Garden, Docklands or Shoreditch.

good thing with kensington is the fact that most central areas would be commutable within 20-30 minutes

Shak

[edit_g]

Clapham Common, Wimbledon, Wimbledon Village, Southfields and the Docklands are all great areas and less pricey than south ken (which is very, very expensive).

[Eric_Jarvis]

I was a student in South Ken (Imperial), I also worked there after I left, and lived at various times in Hammersmith, Clapham, North Kensington, Shepherd's Bush, Harrow and Harringay. Anywhere on the Piccadilly, District or Circle lines will be a fairly easy commute, though the fastest way to get around London is on a cycle. It may be easiest to find moderately priced rented accomodation reasonably close.

I like North Kensington, it's very cosmopolitan, and not all that expensive up at the Ladbroke Grove end. In general, though, prices are lower south of the river. So buying a bike and getting a place in Clapham or Battersea would probably be the best bet overall.