Help with London accommodation

[oxist258]

Hey,

Moving down to the city in 4 months to start working - I'm going to be based in Blackfriars. Absolutely hopeless at this though... does anyone have any suggestions as to which area to aim for and likely cost. I'm moving in with a couple of friends and we're allowing for about £130 each - but we do want something central which is safe and within walking distance for me at least.

Any advice?!?!?!

 

[Visage]

Hey,

Moving down to the city in 4 months to start working - I'm going to be based in Blackfriars. Absolutely hopeless at this though... does anyone have any suggestions as to which area to aim for and likely cost. I'm moving in with a couple of friends and we're allowing for about £130 each - but we do want something central which is safe and within walking distance for me at least.

Any advice?!?!?!

I hope thats 130 quid a week each and not month.....

 

[oxist258]

I hope thats 130 quid a week each and not month.....

Umm, yup - at work and trying to type without getting nabbed! Can probably stretch to £150, but don't want to go above that.

 

[spirit]

if thats not /week, basically nothing maybe a cardboard box

 

[Visage]

Umm, yup - at work and trying to type without getting nabbed! Can probably stretch to £150, but don't want to go above that.

OK, so you've got a budget of between 1690 and 1950 a month for a three bedroom place.

Do a search on Findaproperty and that should turn something up.

 

[Al Vallario]

Also have a look at rightmove and primelocation

 

[Jimmeh]

Try here

Quite useful.

 

[oxist258]

I've been through rightmove and findaproperty - have found lots of properties, but am finding it hard to narrow places down. Really need first hand experience or guidance of actually living there... have never lived in London before, so not sure of how long travelling times and safety (my hours, when I start, can be anything from 9-5 to 7am-midnight!), and how far in advance I have to sign up to a lease.

 

[Jimmeh]

Keep an open mind is my best advice.
Depending on where you're moving from, London will be a bit of a culture shock.

All areas of London have their dodgy parts, much like any City in the World.

For shorter commutes to your area of work, stick to North - North West London... areas such as Kilburn, Willesden, Kilburn Green and Hampstead will have commute times of an 1h-1h30m or so.
Camden, Islington, Highbury, and Hackney will be about 30 - 45 minutes on good days. All of these areas are fairly pleasant... but all have less 'well to do' spots.

As for leases, renting in London is like renting anywhere else in the UK, you can sign on a dotted line a week before you move in if you so wish. Although it's quite competitive so the earlier the better.

You'll be lucky to find anything within walking distance to Blackfriars. It's not impossible, but unlikely.

 

[Rich_L]

3 people on that budget with working in Blackfriars is a prime Clapham candidate I reckon.

Plenty of roomy 3 bed places with decent facilities and walking distance to the tube, you wont need to start looking until 2-3 weeks before you move as earlier than that the landlords wont hold out for you.

I'd advise going to visit though you may not like South london *spits*

North London looks a bit rougher round the edges but is a much nicer place people-wise IMO. For that budget you're looking around Highbury/Holloway or possibly a place in Camden if you're lucky or even Islington if you can get a bargain place (though it will more likely be north Islington..otherwise known as Canonbury).

*edit*

Bear in mind also that you don't have to get a tube all the way to Blackfriars, once you get into the Square Mile everywhere is really close (funnily enough...). Bank station (v. well served tube station!) would be fine for Blackfriars, just hop out and wander down from there.

 

[Visage]

Keep an open mind is my best advice.
Depending on where you're moving from, London will be a bit of a culture shock.

All areas of London have their dodgy parts, much like any City in the World.

For shorter commutes to your area of work, stick to North - North West London... areas such as Kilburn, Willesden, Kilburn Green and Hampstead will have commute times of an 1h-1h30m or so.
Camden, Islington, Highbury, and Hackney will be about 30 - 45 minutes on good days. All of these areas are fairly pleasant... but all have less 'well to do' spots.

As for leases, renting in London is like renting anywhere else in the UK, you can sign on a dotted line a week before you move in if you so wish. Although it's quite competitive so the earlier the better.

You'll be lucky to find anything within walking distance to Blackfriars. It's not impossible, but unlikely.

He shouldnt discount south london either - Thameslink goes into Blackfriars, and serves places like Wimbledon and Sutton.....I dont know about journey times though....

 

[Jimmeh]

....I dont know about journey times though....

Fairly substantial, certainly from Sutton, as it's a stopping service.

Considering she's looking to walk into work, I doubt he's looking for a commute in excess of 90 minutes.

All of this, of course, is my opinion. Wimbeldon is a very pleasant place to live.

 

[oxist258]

Ideally I'm looking for a commute of no longer than about 20-30 minutes - I know I'm possibly being a bit optimistic here, but single girl wandering the streets in the early hours of the morning after finishing work (law) does not appeal hence the need for safety! Rich, how long would the commute from Clapham be? I heard that South London could be a bit dodgy, although I've been looking at some places there literally just south of the river. Camden/Islington sound good as well. Is a relief that I have a few months to go as well A couple of friends recommended Docklands and Tower Hill area - any opinions?

edit: Forgot to say thanks everyone - this is incredibly helpful!

 

[Rich_L]

I live in Camden myself (as a result it is of course the best place to live in London...) so don't know a huge amount about Clapham personally but have a few friends living down there so spent a bit of time there. In terms of safety, as long as you're sensible and don't go wandering down the middle of estates in the dark then you'll be alright Your budget already takes you out of the dodgy areas so I wouldn't worry too much about it

From Clapham to Blackfriars is about 30-40 minutes, up on the Northern line to Embankment or Bank depending on which side of Blackfriars your office is then you can either change tubes or walk the remaining distance.

Bear in mind as well that if they make you work really late, there's a chance they'll let you claim a taxi on expenses which is a reasonably common policy amongst the big firms.

Islington is the Clapham equivalent for North London, full of young professionals etc.

Take a look at www.rollonfriday.com and the accomodation finder - it looks a bit budget but if you're looking for flats with other trainees or even advice on flat hunting around Clapham/lawyer haunts then it's a good site, should give you an idea of the amount you'll be looking to pay in the various places

*edit*
Re: Docklands/Tower Hill

Advantages are you can get a nice, sparkly new place, possibly with nice views of the river for a very reasonable price (for London!). Disadvantages are it's pretty dead in the evenings and a pain in the rear to get back to if you're out in Central London or anywhere else for that matter. Depends what you're after really with regards to aprés-work entertainment

 

[oxist258]

Islington is the Clapham equivalent for North London, full of young professionals etc.

Take a look at www.rollonfriday.com and the accomodation finder - it looks a bit budget but if you're looking for flats with other trainees or even advice on flat hunting around Clapham/lawyer haunts then it's a good site, should give you an idea of the amount you'll be looking to pay in the various places

*edit*
Re: Docklands/Tower Hill

Advantages are you can get a nice, sparkly new place, possibly with nice views of the river for a very reasonable price (for London!). Disadvantages are it's pretty dead in the evenings and a pain in the rear to get back to if you're out in Central London or anywhere else for that matter. Depends what you're after really with regards to aprés-work entertainment

thankuthankuthanku Hmm - am liking the sound of Islington... am thinking that the best plan now is just to go down and start looking around. Flatshare not going to be a problem as have some friends who are moving at the same time. Is there much difference in looking for 2 or 3 bedroom apartments? Would love brand spanking new sparkly apartment, but think I'd prefer a social life and convenience a bit more

 

[daz]

Kennington might be worth looking at, you'll get a lovely place for that price. Also check out London Bridge/Borough area.

 

[Rich_L]

I would advise 3 bedroom over 2 bedroom for a few reasons (despite living in a 2 bedroom ). For a start bills like council tax and your broadband/telly etc will be split 3-ways which actually makes quite a difference, plus your utilities don't go up directly with the number of people so you'll be paying less for that too. Also it can get a bit claustrophobic unless you get on with the other person or are incredibly laid back (fortunately I'm both ) so it can be nice to have the extra person around. Also you will get an equally nice place with 3 beds as 2 beds but it will up to £70-100 cheaper per month per person, just because of the extra person using the kitchen & bathroom etc, though if there was 3 of you I'd advise at least getting a flat with seperate bathroom/shower & toilet. Also definitely make sure you get a power shower...water pressures in london can be ridiculously lame in places so you might end up with a trickle shower which sucks hugely.

Hmm what else...oh yeah you'll need to slap down a months deposit (minimum) before you move in so make sure the 2 or 3 of you have the cash available to do that when you sign the contract.

Best bet is definitely to have a look round though, although again when I first moved up to London I didn't even see the flat before I signed for it

 

[oxist258]

I would advise 3 bedroom over 2 bedroom for a few reasons (despite living in a 2 bedroom ). For a start bills like council tax and your broadband/telly etc will be split 3-ways which actually makes quite a difference, plus your utilities don't go up directly with the number of people so you'll be paying less for that too. Also it can get a bit claustrophobic unless you get on with the other person or are incredibly laid back (fortunately I'm both ) so it can be nice to have the extra person around. Also you will get an equally nice place with 3 beds as 2 beds but it will up to £70-100 cheaper per month per person, just because of the extra person using the kitchen & bathroom etc, though if there was 3 of you I'd advise at least getting a flat with seperate bathroom/shower & toilet. Also definitely make sure you get a power shower...water pressures in london can be ridiculously lame in places so you might end up with a trickle shower which sucks hugely.

Hmm what else...oh yeah you'll need to slap down a months deposit (minimum) before you move in so make sure the 2 or 3 of you have the cash available to do that when you sign the contract.

Best bet is definitely to have a look round though, although again when I first moved up to London I didn't even see the flat before I signed for it

Sweet... you have (all) been a fount of knowledge - thank you think I may be popping down that way in a couple of weeks, so will start putting all my new found info to the test!

 

[dymetrie]

Pimpage!

A good weekend to come down and meet a lot of the members who live in (and around) London... Plus there's beer, and a megaphone

Rich_L has given some sound advice and I can add nothing more to it

 

[spirit]

is Kennington actually safe nowerdays ? it seems to have negative conotations for me, In terms of south & times - it takes only about 25mins to get from Richmond to Waterloo, which isnt too bad, at all (but is way longer than you would like anyway)