What's reasonable for a first rental property in Central London?

I would rule out 20 min walking distance, unless you are rich or have rich parents.

If there is two of you can get a two bedroom somewhere close, say mile end for a reasonable amount, but it won't be that great.

You would be better just moving further out because you get a better place for your money.
 
joxang said:
Because we'll be working in different times at Harlow, Chelmsford, Romford and Central + East Ldn. Liverpool St Station seems to be quite the focal point for those places ;).

Plus, no car.
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Live in Chelmo, train to London, get a bus to Harlow. Job done.

Work then buy car. Then do train to London, car to Harlow and Romford. Even better.
 
toshj said:
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Now that place is very nice indeed.

EDIT: + so is that apartment in E3. Tube connections seem very reasonable. Looks like there are lots of options :).
 
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toshj said:
Based on where you've got to go to work in Essex and Liverpool St. I'd probably suggest somewhere with a national rail line as well as a tube - Bethanl Green - a place like this
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In fairness that's not as good an idea as it first seems. Trains to Harlow rarely stop anywhere in London other than Liverpool Street and Tottenham Hale, and trains to Chelmsford rarely stop elsewhere other than Liverpool Street and Stratford. You can of course get national rail to places like Shenfield or Cheshunt but what's the point if the idea was to avoid changing!
 
You can get a 2 bed house for £900 a month in harlow, that would be my choice as you can get direct to liverpool st (1 stop at tot hale) in 20mins from harlow station (not so often from old harlow) also you can drive to epping tube station (10mins) anhd chelmsford is a 20 min drive.
 
MeEsH BaKkA said:
You can get a 2 bed house for £900 a month in harlow, that would be my choice as you can get direct to liverpool st (1 stop at tot hale) in 20mins from harlow station (not so often from old harlow) also you can drive to epping tube station (10mins) anhd chelmsford is a 20 min drive.
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Rather get a 2 bed house in Chelmo for the same :p
 
MeEsH BaKkA said:
True but you are then thurther into the hole that is essex, at least Htown is on the boarder with Herts therefore some civilised nights out can be had in Hertford and Bishops stortford ;)
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Stortford is civilised?! A decent night can be had there?! Never heard anyone say that before. I think the biggest thing I've heard people say is that they can get to Epping and Ware easily enough! Everywhere's shut there now as well, some of the pubs are ok though...
 
Oh look - a "I'm seeking a property" thread has degenerated into a "My area is better than your area!" squabble. Fancy that!
 
I wouldn't live in London you're likely to be stabbed for the colour of your skin (or lack of) and no justice will be served because you have to be coloured to be a victim.
 
Pudney said:
You're just jealous that you didn't think of it :p
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:p

As for the "live in london, or live outside for cheaper and commute" debate - it's really not that cut and dry. Commuting into London is expensive. Tube tickets are a ripoff, buses are so much slower during rush hour(s), and overground ticket prices are horrendous :(

I know that lots of people have taken a bigger mortgage to save on commuter fares. :/ Commuting from Kent/Essex/other neighbouring county with "Fast link" train services can cost upwards of £2,500 a year.
 
Cycle instead of walk and you can live a long way off, there are lots of cheap places within a 20min cycle of Lpool street.

Look at Wanstead, Forest Gate, or even Woodford at a push (20 minute train on central line)
 
Pudney said:
In fairness that's not as good an idea as it first seems. Trains to Harlow rarely stop anywhere in London other than Liverpool Street and Tottenham Hale, and trains to Chelmsford rarely stop elsewhere other than Liverpool Street and Stratford. You can of course get national rail to places like Shenfield or Cheshunt but what's the point if the idea was to avoid changing!
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Fair enough - wasn't too sure what the National Rail options were for that area.

OP - having lived both North and East within 20 mins walk from Liverpool St I'd certainly recommend East over North for value for money. I'd say Bethnal Green is a 20 minute walk from Liverpool St. My flatmate's sister has recently moved to Dalston and likes the area, also says it's a pretty sensible place to live if you need to get into the City quickly. With the East London line, the area has opened up a bit more and transport is slightly more flexible.

Got to say though that £300pw for a 2 bedroom place is unfortunately a little too ambitious - there is a place on that same estate agents website in my previous post for £300pw in Hackney for 2 beds, but I wouldn't really say it's ideal for what you're looking for it sounds.

If I were you, I'd book two solid days with various estate agents to show you around the areas and flats - give them a brief (ideally two bed, would look at one bed) with a max of £400pw and try to get through 10-15 viewings over the two days - try to make a sensible decision at the end of the two days, and offer 15% less but saying you can move in tomorrow! It's a lot less painful than dragging it out over a view weeks!
 
joxang said:
Forgot to say that we'll be on £24k a year each, so I guess we should be able to afford £400pw between us?
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That's a combined take home of £3k, then deduct student loans.

Spending more than 50% of your take home on JUST rent is mental.
 
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