Where to live in London? Post your questions & answers

astefan4 · Joined: 07 Jul 2008 Posts: 1

Hello! I will move to London in the end of August to work near Tower Hill, so I am thinking of staying at Wapping. Is it a decent place to live? What other areas close to City would be satisfactory?

Red Rackham · Joined: 04 Jul 2008 Posts: 260 Location: England.

My daughter and her boyfriend moved to London a few months ago, they live in Walworth but don't like the area and are thinking about moving to Canary Wharf. We visited them a few weeks ago, I drove down from Staffs, never again. London is horrible, I'm not particularly fond of Birmingham but compared to London it's Shangri La.

avishai · Joined: 15 Jul 2008 Posts: 2

i need some help getting started with how and where to look for accommodation. i'm an exchange student in kings college (high holborn), arriving by the end of august. which areas will be quick to get ...

Mewler · Joined: 16 Jul 2008 Posts: 2

Is anyone still looking at this thread? I've recently accepted a job where I'll be based just off j25 of the M25. It's Hertfordhsire (just) but I'd rather be based in North London rathr than Herts / Potters Bar etc and wondered if anyone can offer any local advice.

We're looking at Muswell Hill, Crouch End, Highgate for property and will most likely be keeping our house in Birmingham and renting when we first move. Don't want to buy until we get a feel for the place. What are these places like to live? We want somewhere that has stuff going on, places to go out but is not chavvy. I guess I'm looking for the best of both worlds..................

Jezz · Joined: 16 Jul 2008 Posts: 1 Location: Stamford, CT

Hi everybody!
im going to move to london by the end of this year. only for one year and then i will move back to the states 9where i live right now).
I try to find out, good, safe place to live, whats a normal rent average, things like that.
im originally from germany and traveled to london once for two days for an exhibition. I have seriously not seen that much.......

If you have any suggestions and tips, please contact me.... Smile

desertedisland · Joined: 02 Jul 2007 Posts: 9 Location: London

@fbs
Your main decision is whether you want to live in North or East London. There is a big difference between these areas in terms of atmousphere and price. If it made no difference then I'd choose Bow. Bow is quite up and coming with lots of new apartments and buildings which are surprisingly affordable. It's generally leafy, pleasant, safe and close to the clubs / bars, etc. in the East End if that's your thing.

@Mewler
Muswell Hill, Crouch End and Highgate are lovely places but very expensive. They're also quite residential. Leafy, green and peaceful with the operative word being peaceful. Good place for a family (with money) but you'll have to travel a bit from here if you're looking for decent nightlife.

Cheers!

Mewler · Joined: 16 Jul 2008 Posts: 2

Thanks desertedisland. Would you recommend anywhere in this neck of the woods that might be a bit livelier? I will be commuting by car up to Enfield so would ideally like to be able to drive out on the A10. I have since heard that Muswell Hill is not great for public transport and as my husband doesn't drive, this will be important for him.

Many Thanks

desertedisland · Joined: 02 Jul 2007 Posts: 9 Location: London

The obvious answer is Camden although I don't usually recommend that people move there (I'm a moving man). Kentish Town is, I think, a quiter, more pleasant alternative Close enough to Camden for a decent night out and an easy tube ride to the East End if that's your thing, too.

One of the better spots for night life in North London is Islington - particularly the area around Angel. Lots of interesting bars and restaurants, it's really a very nice area! It's not cheap but there are cheaper alternatives close by in Hackney (not always as bad as it's made out to be) and Holloway.

LindaT · Joined: 06 Aug 2008 Posts: 2 Location: London

I can't believe no one's mentioned Ealing!!! I've lived there since I was 18, so maybe I'm biased, but it has EVERYTHING. It's in west London - half way between Heathrow airport and central London - and has excellent transport links. If you can't afford Ealing Broadway, then West Ealing is only a 5 minute bus hop away, and it's a fair bit cheaper because it's further away from the tube. BUT it has the fabulous West Ealing station - 12 mins to Paddington / 16 mins to Heathrow. Very Happy

alex75 · Joined: 23 Aug 2008 Posts: 1

You are absoltely right, London is a great place!!!

I have discovered a fantastic oasis of unknown ground-Brentford-by Thames. It is 10 minutes away from Chiswick, Putney, and Ritchmond, but the prices are still amazingly low still....

Take a look and save some £££££,

enjoy 8)

DaniGirl1000 · Joined: 02 Apr 2008 Posts: 5

Hey guys,

if anybody is still looking at this thread and would be willing to help me pick an area to aim for I'd really appreciate it.

I've lived in Elephant & Castle/Walworth now for nearly 4 years. Everything was fine here but over the last 8 months suddenly there's been a massive rise in the amount of shootings. I know there's always been gun crime but it's really become close to home. IE. literally on the grass outside my house/my local shop.

I currently live in a more studenty kind of flat and now I'm working I'm liable for the whole of the council tax. So it's time to move and I'm sick of South London.

I need an area I can ideally get to Carnaby Street by bus in around 45 mins in the morning. I don't mind getting the tube but I'm thinking in terms of travel expenses I'd like to stick with the buses.

Somewhere with a few bars, lots of professionals, a good mix of ethnicities with good transport links to town (ie. at least one night bus from the West End).

I was thinking either Stratford (though I'm not completely sure about this), Manor House, Maida Vale etc.

My budget is around £500 pcm in a shared house with bills included (like electricity, council tax etc) but I don't mind stretching an extra tenner for the net etc.

So what area do you reckon I should aim for? Any ideas would be great!
Xxx

onthemove · Joined: 27 Aug 2008 Posts: 1

Seeing as no-one else has, I’m going to give Chiswick (W4) a mention, which is a really good place to live if you want a relatively quiet life without going too far out of town (zone 2-3) – lots of green space, riverside walks, close to Kew Gardens, good shopping street and lots of nice pubs, not much night-life but that means the crime rate is low and we do have a 24-hour bus to Camden if you want more action. Rents are around £500-£600 a month per person (based on a room in a house-share, 1 person in a studio flat or 2 people in a 1-bed flat).

emac · Joined: 29 Nov 2008 Posts: 1

what do people think of east ham? i dont know why but i've taken liking to it after one visit and am thinking of moving there. but is it a bit dodge?

rolf · Joined: 28 Aug 2007 Posts: 10

Hiya guys,

In the summer I am coming to the end of my present fixed term lease.

Now the landlord is a bit weird and does not like automatically extending it so I'm going to be looking for a place to live for a flexible length of time, between one and three months, before I finally emigrate from here.

I need to be able to give a month's notice. Does anyone know any places like this? I have heard that there are hostels where you can stay like this. Although I must say that the idea of a "hostel" gives me images of junkies. I suppose there must be hostels that are not necessarily halfway houses.

Any ideas? I would flatshare but I can't see who would want a tenant for just 3 months.

Bettebo · Joined: 07 Jan 2009 Posts: 1 Location: Demark

Hi guys^^

I'm a girl from Denmark, who has considered moving to London for some time to see the city and most of all work here, but the question is just where to live and how much will it cost, and can you even afford it with one job. . .

Well when it comes to the place I wondered about Fulham, it seems like a nice place, but I can't really find sites which have flats in Fulham unless they're like £300 a week, so could you guys give a bit of help when it comes to this?

Love Bettebo

king25 · Joined: 14 Jan 2009 Posts: 8

KylieG · Joined: 27 Jan 2009 Posts: 2

Hi Everyone!

I will be arriving in London in April and am trying to sort accomodation before I arrive. I'm going through a lot of different accomodation sites and I'm getting a bit confused!! ARGH.

I would love some advice on places to stay well clear of. Also, what type of price range I should be looking at for a single furnished room.

Cheers
Kylie

jkiii · Joined: 03 Feb 2009 Posts: 1

what about lewisham guys? help me, is it quiet or lot of crime? try to avoid the estates as neighbour? thanks for any info in advance...

Luizinho · Joined: 06 Feb 2009 Posts: 1

Hi everyone !

I'm portuguese, i live in French Riviera !
I would like to go to london to get a job, and learn the English.
Could you help me and give some information about London's life.
I'm sorry if i do gramatical errors... Rolling Eyes

I'm 19, an i would like to leave next September...
I give you my e-mail to speak more easily.

luizinho06@hotmail.fr

Please contact me, if you know many things about it.
Wink

Thanks.

JoyDay · Joined: 06 Feb 2009 Posts: 4

Hackney, stoke newington, islington, Crouch end, Hampstead are nice plase to live. Hackney is rough but it's full of colourful funky place to go.

RobinCook · Joined: 18 Feb 2009 Posts: 1 Location: North West London

Hi, I am a male kiwi, 46yrs, recently arrived, I work as a web developer and have a permanent job in Amersham. (The NorthWest end of the Metropolitan line). I am looking for a room or a flat anywhere close to the metropolitan line for ease of getting to work and back. I have been looking in Harrow and Wembley so far but not having any luck. I have enquired on several rooms and flats here at gumtree and on rightmove but no-one responds and when you phone them, the phone is always turned off or goes to voicemail and they don't ring back. I thought I'd join up here to get some advice and maybe meet some kiwis or aussies that at least have the courtesy to respond to someone answering their ad although I am happy to share with any nationality.

DANRED · Joined: 18 Feb 2009 Posts: 1

I'm looking to move down to London, ideally North London by the summer.
I'm looking at the Angel, Islington, Belsize Park area maybe up to Camden , Kentish Town etc.

Any recommendations? I'm 23 yr old male movin down from Manchester into music, socialising, and i am looking for somewher that has a good feel to it and has a busy busy scene.

I would appreciate any input.

Thanks

Studentdad · Joined: 20 Feb 2009 Posts: 2 Location: oxted

Big dilemma.

Kids off to uni in Sept. So do they rent? Or do I lend them a deposit and get them to pay a mortgage? Anyone got any ideas how the math works out? And how it's different in other parts of the country? (Son going to Newcastle next year!!!). Is there anything online that helps you make the decision? I've looked, but can't find anything. Any help VERY gratefully received.

Ge0rge · Joined: 01 Mar 2009 Posts: 4

Hi, I'm a student in London and loking for a room , but i don't want to pay a deposit or several months rent in advance, just pay what i should for the following month. could you please help me in this matter; does anyone know such landlord who does not require a deposit?

frank85mi · Joined: 04 Mar 2009 Posts: 3

Hi there!
i have to choose between bethnal green or clapham junction. I'd like to live in a fun and young area with pubs and bars/clubs, nice and safe too. do you have any suggestions? thanks