On The Move

[JustTheTip]

Howdy all!

I'm currently living in brighton, though will be moving back up to London to work in the city in about a months time. My question is this - where would be a good place to live?

I used to live in Chislehurst (Kent for those who don't know), but am thinking about somewhere a lot more central to have as short a commute as possible. Which areas are nice? I don't want anywhere scummy, or too expensive (£800 a month).

Help!

TIA

[lotuslad]

Canvey Island?

Seriously though, Woking is quite cheap and is 20 mins from Waterloo. It's not am amazing town but it's right next to lots of nice places. It has late train links from London too.

Or perhaps Surbiton - a couple of mins walk from Kingston, close to Richmond and Wimbledon, and not far from London at all.

[JagLover]

I would go back to Chislehurst

We are looking to buy our first house soon and if we could afford it it would be in Chislehurst.

You might be unpleasantly surprised about just how bad some of the areas further in to London are.

[JustTheTip]

Agreed - I'd like to buy in Chislehurst.

I was just thinking that I'd rather live closer to work, as I may do some long days and I want as little 'dead time' as possible. I've also never lived in London proper, and thought it's something I should try.

[JagLover]

Blackheath Village is further in and is a little island of civilisation further into town, £800 PCM might get you a flat there it is a fairly expensive area though.

Apart from that there are streets that are OK but you just have to accept that whenever you go round your local shops there will be gangs of Chav Teenagers there on many days.

I rent in a nice quiet close in New Eltham. Everyone leaves their car on the street outside with no problems. BMW's, Audi's My own Jag etc.

But outside the Local COOP is a completely different story and there is a security guard nearly always on duty inside the shop to keep out a number of the local scumbags.

[The GMan]

I use to live between East Finchley and Muswell Hill, short walk to the the tube station to get the Northern Line into Bank. I loved it! I then moved to Docklands and lived at Burrells Wharf, which was nice but it is totally dead at the weekend.

[TeamD]

It all depends upon what lifestyle you want really.

I'm the 'go out most nights' type, I'm effectively single when I'm in the city (wife and kids at home in the Mids), I'm incredibly lazy (so short journey to work is a must!)

Hence I rent a studio flat (quite pleasant, furnished etc) for £715 pcm just round the corner from Bishopsgate, 15 min walk to work, pubs, restaurants, takeaways, Tesco Metro, everything...all on the doorstep, oh! and Brick Lane 15mins the other direction to work although Chinese and another Curry house within spitting distance.

Makes me giggle when I go out for an after work beer with folks and they're permanently checking their watch for trains etc. As long as I can still walk I can get home!

[pottri]

Docklands. You get a newish place with loads of space and parking - been here for nearly 5 years and have often considered moving but nowhere comes close if you need to have offstreet parking.

Getting better at weekends too.

[tone]

Like TeamD I'm living in town Mon-Fri. Not as close but in Camden. Nice atmosphere, plenty to do if you avoid the scummy bits and not too expensive.

Only problem is parking in Camden central is tight and on-road unless you pay lots so the Chim stays at home!

[JustTheTip]

Thanks guys.....I'll post once I've made a decision.