Looking to move to london from outskirts, which area best? Don't want to be outside Zone 3. N, S, E or W?

Question

The rental budget is about £900 a month tops. I'm not so much looking for specific flat recommendations, but areas. Everyone seems to say something different! Is the east really that bad? What is the whole north/south divide about (i.e. people seem to have totally chalk and cheese opinions!). Somewhere which is in a "nice area" would be good, I can't afford more than about £900 a month rent (needs to be a two-bed). What regions of London are developing, that you would recommend? If condemning certain areas, please provide reasons! Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Yes EC1 and W1 are great postcodes but you won't get much for your money there. When I first moved to London I lived in East London (near Docklands). Whilst the apartments are very new and swish there is no social life, the majority of people living there being Asian and living in the local council estates so the shopping etc. reflects this.

I lived in Battersea for a time although this may have escalated out of your budget by now there might be something there. As a rule anywhere near a tube station will be twice the price of something near a bus stop or train station. I currently live in South East London near a train station which is 20 mins to Victoria which is fine for me but not so great for going out at night etc. Clapham is a very trendy area now with loads of bars and restaurants (zone 2). Beware not to confuse Clapham with Clapham Junction (which is actually in Battersea and no where near the Clapham tube stations).

I don't know much about North London apart from there are a lot more tube stations there but I think the prices do reflect this. As for West areas such as Westminster, Chelsea and Fulham will be the most expensive but you might find something lovely in Putney or thereabouts which is definitely on the way up.

Answer 2

for £900 a month you are seriously going to have difficulty renting a 2 bed. you could pretty much rule out zone 1 and 2. (some zone 2, but check out why they are so cheap). the best for you would be south of the river as the places are slightly cheaper than the rest of london. good luck.

Answer 3

Finchley N12 is nice.

Answer 4

Walthamstow (E17) - good transport links

Answer 5

E1 is really nice
WC2 is better