Where to live in London? Post your questions & answers

verkot · Joined: 04 Mar 2009 Posts: 3 Location: LONDON

I would recommend to book a cheap hotel or nice hostel around Bayswater, Hyde Park, Paddington area LONDON. There are lots of cheap places to stay under £ 20 per p.person. If you go cheaper, it may not be very clean unless you want to share a room with more then 3-4 people. You can check hotels in Paddington on http://www.Justintimehotels.com they offer a lot of really cheap hotels and b/bs there.

verkot · Joined: 04 Mar 2009 Posts: 3 Location: LONDON

I hope you might need this advise again, but if you go on [url]Justintimehotels.com[/url] you will see lots of really cheap places there. Look for London paddington hotels, rates from £ 18 per person.

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

Saw a great website today which helps work out whether it's better to buy or rent. Not sure if it covers the whole country but seems to work grate for London www.propertyfinder.com/revolution

FYFLONDON · Joined: 14 Mar 2009 Posts: 10

I have been contracting in London for 10 years now and have lived
in as many areas. I discovered that the best areas to live in terms
of price, transport links and amenities are not well known. (It is definetly
NOT Fulham or Putney for a start!)

I also discovered all the other major Pitfalls in London the hard way.
And It is funny how as you start to crack London it begins to transform
from a "hole" as a few in this forum have put it, into the most exciting city
in the world.

If you want to know what I would have given my right arm to have
known 10 years ago then visit the web link below.

All the best

Theo

gstar · Joined: 17 Mar 2009 Posts: 3

Hi guys, as with KylieG above I'm also arriving from Australia soon (mid May).

I'm just trying to do some research on some places to stay and am so confused with all these names and what is supposedly good/bad. E.g. in this forum alone I've read that Islington is both good and bad according to different people!

Can someone please help me with:
1) From the price range listed on gumtree I have figured that North is the nicer side, is this correct?
2) Can anyone suggest areas where it's close to the city (from what it sounds like within zone 2/3, is that right?), with easy tube/bus access, not known for high crime, close to shops (at least a grocery store) and obviously well priced?
3) Speaking of well priced - what is a reasonable price range per person per week?
4) What's a single/double/triple room?

Thanks guys, just trying to get an idea!

G

Skycap · Joined: 29 Apr 2006 Posts: 14

There are great places to go out, eat, and have a good time all over greater london. Best advice for somewhere to live though is -use the postcode as a clue. generally your safe if youre in a code with a 'W' in it. Examples WC1, W11, SW3, TW9, SW9, W8,NW8,W1 etc These are by no coincidence the more prosperous and nicest areas of London historically. Key pints about finding good transport links obviously also apply; be near a tube and if possible overland train station. Nearby parks with low crime levels are also important.

Genrally my motto has always been to stay away from Eastside, south east (peckham, and parts of North, (Dalston, Hackney) as they have been historically poorer parts of London and more prone to crime.

Sean22 · Joined: 17 Mar 2009 Posts: 2

I have lived in a few places while studying here in london, (St johns wood cool but expensive, Green Park really expensive but really central, stoke newington, didnt feel safe and no underground nearby) now im in Acton which is best for me, like the area and more affordable prices and easy for me to get into the city in about 20 minutes, i found a room near North Acton station which is border to zone 2! Other places i could recommend are bayswater(but can be expensive), wilsden junction (good transport) and kingston (bit far out but nice area and has a good train to central)

beth2london · Joined: 05 Apr 2009 Posts: 1

Hey all,

I've moving to London in May for work and will be based in Hammersmith. I'm currently living on my own and am hoping to afford to stay that way, but really want a bedroom not a studio! Ideally i'd like to be in an area with a district feeling with activites going on that can easily be envolved in. I'm 24 if that makes any difference. I'm currently paying £650, is it achievable to be looking to stay in this price range? If so where? Or any other general suggestions for the move?

Thanks, beth

Lingrem · Joined: 06 Apr 2009 Posts: 3

Salut!

I'm in a similiar situation as beth2london..

I'm going to be coming to London near the end of August, I'll be teaching (since I will be an overseas teacher and not a qualified one, I'm estimating my salary as about £20,000/year) I think that spending about £500-£600 a month is reasonable for me.

I'm a 24 year old female, and I really don't want to have a house or flatshare... I've had enough bad experiences with roommates to want to deal with that when just moving to a new country. I'm not really much a clubber, so I don't mind a quieter neighbourhood, but I do like some greenery. I'm not sure where I will end up working in London yet, so I'm just trying to start doing some sorting out. A neighbourhood that doesn't have too bad of a crime reputation would be nice. I'm just not sure what areas of London might be affordable and enjoyable for me.

Any suggestions?

Jessiet · Joined: 08 Apr 2009 Posts: 1

If you are going to be working in Canary Warf, then you can live upscale around there, or get a funky loft in Kennington, stay on that side of the river though. Brixton is fun, but kinda ghetto. I had a great summer there.

___________________________
Bed & Breakfast in dublin

Crikey · Joined: 22 Apr 2009 Posts: 1

I'm another one who recommends Chiswick, really nice and clean area, not too far out and very affordable.

Queens Park and Brondesbury Park is also nice and affordable if you can find accomodation there. Hampstead, Highgate, Muswell hill are all nice but getting a bit expensive.

Places I would avoid are Peckam, Elephant&Castle, Wandsworth, Streatham, they are all south of the river.

I havent really ventured too far east yet.

daria75A · Joined: 03 May 2009 Posts: 1

HEY GUYS!
i LIVED IN WALTHAMSTOW AND LEYTON, AND FROM MY EXPERIENCE I AM NEVER GOING BACK THERE AGAIN, ESPECIALLY THE WALTHAMSTOW MARKET AREA.
i ALSO LIVED IN LEWISHAM AND GREENWICH FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS, WASN'T BAD, BUT STILL PEOPLE are A BIT RASISTS OVER THERE.
ME AND MY HUSBAND ARE TRYING TO MOVE NEAR CENTRAL LONDON.
I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE IN A VERY UPTIGHT POSHY COMMUNITY LIKE CHELSEA OR NOTTING HILL, BUT AT THE SAME TIME I AM NOT A FAN OF EAST OR SOUTH EAST.
A FRIEND RECOMMENDED BAYSWATER. I AM CONFUSED NOW! HELP!

andrew101 · Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 11:17 am Post subject:

hi any advice on living in tilbury ?

lindacla · Joined: 08 May 2009 Posts: 1

I am moving to hertfordshire in July, Does anyone have any suggestions as regards where to look for places to live??!! I can't seem to find anywhere!they all seem soooooo expensive. (im a student).
Much appreciated Wink

Linda

ladyofthemanor · Joined: 26 May 2009 Posts: 2

I've recently been told that Dalston has recently been voted coolest place on the planet but photos I have seen beg to differ. Is it a good place to live or just visit? What other parts of east London do people recommend?

Mystica · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 2

Hi! My husband is British but he has been away for almost 30 years in England, so he don't know the renting situation back there in UK. Rolling Eyes

they used to live at Crystal Palace and he also knows Forest Hill and anything nearby. Can anyone help us to know more about private renting Question

Is it safe to rent privately Question

Dealing with agencies there seem a lot of terms and expenses. Exclamation

I really appreciate your response to this. Thanks a lot in advance. Smile

ladyofthemanor · Joined: 26 May 2009 Posts: 2

Dear Mystica

Renting market in the UK is good at the mo by all accounts as the housing market is so bad. I would recommend going through estate agents (and the many specialist renting agencies). Although you do have to pay an extra fee this ensures that you are protected as they are legal required to sort out any issues that you have becuase it is all contractually agreed etc. I believe that there is lots of scope for negotiation these days because it's hard times for all so always try and haggle your renting and agency fee prices. Generally because it is such a strong market the right rules are in place and you can get really good places.

Mystica · Joined: 06 Jun 2009 Posts: 2

Dear ladyofthemanor,

Thanks for your kind reply. Smile

we'll be going to Southeast London on the 6th of July. I hope the weather is nice so I don't get a shock, coming from Qatar to UK is a big changed of weather. Rolling Eyes

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

@ladyofthemanor

Dalston is popular with artists, musicians, etc. but it's my experience that these kinds of people (and I've met and moved many of them) are naturally drawn to the roughest parts of London (e.g. Hackney Wick, Deptford). It's cheap in these parts, edgy and Dalston (like Brixton) is certainly colourful. But, if Hackney is generally considered rough, then Dalston (also Hackney central and most of Homerton) are about as rough as it gets. Seriously I would exercise caution before moving to these places. Many people live in the rougher parts of London with no problems at all and really like where they live. But you really need good street smarts and to not be naive. These can be very dangerous places.

If you're desperate to move to a trendy part of Hackney, you might want to consider Clapton or Stoke Newington as altogether safer and more pleasant alternatives to Dalston.

@DANRED and frank85mi . North london - Islington, Camden, etc. are great and lively areas to live but not cheap (ditto Clapham). If you're on a lower income then you might want to consider parts of Hackney (see above) or East London: Bethnal Green, etc.

There's a good site at www.iknowlondon.com with lots of information on the different parts of London.

eIGHT1988 · Joined: 14 Jun 2009 Posts: 2

hi evrybody ... I'm also want to visit UK(London) soon, but I don't want spend much money for a HOTELs. Maby someone can give me advice ... or even guide me ... Send e-MAil. (I will be grateful to any help & info).

I'm Also Student ... so looking cheap place to live 100/200 per week for a Double room ...

fosters35 · Joined: 13 Jun 2009 Posts: 2

Hi

I'm looking for renting a 2 bedroom apartment but with good views of the Thames/tall buildings in a good/safe area with a budget of no more than £500 per week.

I've seen a few rentals in Battersea (Falcon Wharf tower to be exact) but are there other areas i should consider such as Westminster/ Canary Wharf?

Royal Docks, Britannia Village is another i saw but unsure about this area??

Links to local (walking distant) shops/bars are also essential as are public transport links to get me back to the Midlands when needed.

I'm a homeworker (hence why i want nice views) so daily commuting is not a problem.

morna · Joined: 18 Jun 2009 Posts: 1 Location: UK

If any body is looking for accommodation in Scotland then i found a cool website with lists of stunning hotels. Check this [http://www.scotland.org.uk/hotels_scotland.htm][/url]

BristolKitten · Joined: 21 Jun 2009 Posts: 13

check my profile

Skycap · Joined: 29 Apr 2006 Posts: 14

The Londonpaper Metro recently showed the best places to live in London as voted by the residents - best place voted was Richmond, 2nd was chelsea, 3rd wandsworth/putney . The vote system was based on on safety of area, transport, standard of living property and social life.

Bottom 5 included Newham, islington and barking

jb87 · Joined: 09 Aug 2009 Posts: 3

Hi, posted a thread but just realised this thread was here.

Really confused about where to live in London!

Me and a friend want to move in together, one of us will be working near Charing Cross/Embankment, the other near Warren Street/Great Portland Street underground stations. Any advice on where would be good to live for a commute up to 30 minutes??