Why London is still THE place to buy
THE CAPITAL’S PROPERTY MARKET IS INCREDIBLY RESILIENT, SO DON’T HANG AROUND IF YOU’RE HUNTING FOR A HOME, SAYS ANDREA DEAN
1. CROYDON
If you can see beyond Croydon’s divisive post-war architecture you’ll be impressed by how much it has to offer. There’s the 20-minute commute into central London, it’s a leading tech hub and under normal circumstances there’s lots to do – with a restaurant quarter, Boxpark, festivals and a lively music scene. With £5.25billion invested in regeneration, it’s affordable by London standards.
Buy now: London Square Croydon, CR0, from £358,000
These one, two and three-bedroom apartments are in a landscaped square opposite West Croydon station and feature open-plan living areas and winter gardens. They’ll be ready from 2023. londonsquare.co.uk
2. SOUTHALL
Restaurants, food stalls, jewellery and fashion shops line Southall Broadway, the beating heart of this vibrant, multi-cultural area. The capital’s best place to go for a curry, it’s also very well connected, lying between the M4 and A40, close to Heathrow and with frequent trains to Paddington and Crossrail to come. Buy now: Citypark Gardens, Southall UB2, from £380,000
Help to Buy is available on these one- and two-bed apartments. Most have outdoor space, plus three rooftop gardens. galliardhomes.com
3. SILVERTOWN Silvertown is in the heart of The Royal Docks, with City Airport close by. At £434,000, the average property price here is £132,000 less than Canary Wharf, with more than 8,000 new homes to be created at two regeneration projects: Silvertown Quays and Thameside West. Buy now: Pontoon Reach, Silvertown E16, from £370,000 Studio, one, two and three-bed apartments near Thames Barrier Park’s open green spaces. pontoonreach.co.uk
4. WOOLWICH
The transformation of a former munitions site into a thriving new community at Royal Arsenal Riverside is one of London’s success stories. When complete, it will consist of over 5,000 homes (many in restored buildings), bars and restaurants, a new creative district and a Crossrail station. Buy now: Royal Arsenal Riverside, SE18, from £470,000 This flagship scheme offers one-bed apartments up to huge three-bed penthouses. Help to Buy’s offered on some one-beds. berkeleygroup.co.uk
5. DAGENHAM
This easterly town – which became synonymous with the Ford car plant – is the capital’s cheapest borough for buyers and is in the London Riverside Opportunity Area, where 26,500 homes are to be delivered. It’s soon to be sprinkled with Hollywood stardust as an LA developer is building a film studio locally. Buy now: Merrielands, Dagenham RM9, from £89,250 for a 35% share of £255,000
Shared ownership is available at Clarion Housing’s studio, one, two and three-bed flats. Dagenham Dock station is nearby. merrielands.co.uk