London / close to London areas

[pleno1]

My friend is looking to move to London with his Polish girlfriend.

He plays poker full time and she will be looking to get s job, she has a lot of experience in marketing and working in some big companies etc.

They are looking to live somewhere a little more "green" than Central London  as they have 2 dogs and a Son.

Im from the North so can't really help, any advice on desirable, safe places that are cool to live for a mid twenties couple.

Any advice?

[Woodsey]

I lived in Twickenham for a few years and the surrounding areas there were pretty nice. So Twickenham, Richmond, St. Margaret's, Strawberry Hill, Teddington etc. Won't be cheap mind you.....

[tikay]

The Kingston upon Thames & Hampton Court areas would ft the bill nicely.

Good, fast, frequent & direct rail service to Central London via South West Trains.

Plenty of the most spectacular "green" you could ever wish to see - Bushy Park, Richmond Park & Hampton Court are all within 2 miles, & Windsor Great Park is just down the road. Hard to imagine 3 or 4 more beautiful parks in the entire world.  

The Thames is at it's most fabulous here, & there is a towpath both sides for walking.

Plenty of local employment in Twickenham, Osterley, Kingston, Walton, Wimbledon & Richmond. Sky (TV) are in Osterley & are always on the lookout for Marketing people.

The coup de grace is that just a few miles west sits Heathrow Airport, & there are a number of good places there for plane-spotting. Has to be the clincher, that.

Kingston sits under the flight path for inbound flights approaching from the east, so you can see A380's & 747's all day every day.

Beat that.  

[tikay]

I lived in Twickenham for a few years and the surrounding areas there were pretty nice. So Twickenham, Richmond, St. Margaret's, Strawberry Hill, Teddington etc. Won't be cheap mind you.....

Crikey, not often you & I would be so on-Message.......

[Karabiner]

Hampstead is very nice and relatively central and would be suitable but is also expensive.

[TightEnd]

Putney/Barnes

Ealing

again, neither cheap but both very pleasant

--

now Bethnal Green, Bow, Walthamstow and to the north a bit Hackney/Hoxton etc have gentrified a lot of the previously cheaper places are more expensive now too

[Woodsey]

Putney/Barnes

Ealing

again, neither cheap but both very pleasant

--

now Bethnal Green, Bow, Walthamstow and to the north a bit Hackney/Hoxton etc have gentrified a lot of the previously cheaper places are more expensive now too

My niece lives in hackney, it's still going through the gentrification process so buying a house there would be a good investment as the area gets more and more liveable as the years go by, house prices will rise faster there than other areas.

[muckthenuts]

An idea of his budget is essential before giving any advice. Kent might end up being a better option, it's where lots of young kids are ending up now.

[AndrewT]

An idea of his budget is essential before giving any advice. Kent might end up being a better option, it's where lots of young kids are ending up now.

Yeah, any discussion is pointless without an idea of their budget.

As a pro poker player (I'm guessing online player), London is surely the nut worst place to live as your income is location-independent but your cost of living will be as high as it could be.

[rinswun]

Grew up in Teddington, went to school in Hampton. Huge plus 1 to the Teddington, Twickenham, Hampton Wick, Strawberry Hill, Kingston suggestions. Fantastic place to raise children.

[pleno1]

hey, budget is 2-4.5k/month

thanks so far for amazing repsonses!!

[Woodsey]

Looking at house prices in that area now to buy, was gonna buy a house there 20 years ago.

Fucking hell, not buying might be the worst financial decision I ever made 

[pleno1]

is 2-4.5 on the lower/higher or normal side would you say?

[Doobs]

I lived in Putney for a while, not sure I would again.  I loved near Northcote Road, and used to love it strolling down there.  Full of young people.  Loads of cafes, restaurants and shops near by.  Clapham Junctiom is nearby, and it is easier to get on a train there than Wandsworth, Battersea etc.   Loads of places to walk a dog as you are between 2 commons.  There is a most excellent butchers too.  There used to be queues out the door, so guess it is still there.  Chez Bruce is just right up there with the best places to eat in London, or used to be.  Hope it is still there too.

Used to love the area around Hamstead Heath too, but it is ferociously expensive.  Richmond and Wimbledon are good for walks too, with good trains in to town. 

[Doobs]

is 2-4.5 on the lower/higher or normal side would you say?

4.5 is going to get you a very nice flat in the places I mentioned.  Maybe not Hampstead?  We used to pay a third of that near Northcote Road and in Putney, but those times are long gone.  Guess you'd be paying 2.5/3 for a nice 2 bed flat these days.

Edit.  Just checked, there are some nice places for 2kish in wandsworth/putney.  4.5k probably get you a riverside penthouse in some developments