In December last year, we made the unusual move from South of the river to very far North London. Not a lot of Londoners do that.
It’s so rare that we get asked, pretty much daily, what made us make the move? So I thought I’d put it into a blogpost…
1. BUDGET
The biggie, really. We were so lucky when we bought our first flat, it seemed SO expensive when we invested (and it was, for what it was!) but fortunately it doubled in value over the 6 years we lived there. You’d think we’d have the choice of anywhere to move to right? Very wrong…our area had gone up so much around us that the next level (a terraced house) was not feasible in any shape or form. The next step for us was double our flat again, which was impossible as our wages hadn’t really increased that much.
We looked on Zoopla and Right Move, basically searched our top budget and just started looking in those areas.
2. CIRCUMSTANCE
Yes, we loved where we lived, but that didn’t mean it defined us. We would’ve stayed if we could (my family are all South London with a family business in Tooting and Chris’s family were nearby in Surrey). My nan’s passing made me realise maybe I didn’t have to stay nearby and in fact, maybe a change would be good. And now we’re excited to get to know a new area.
3. INVESTMENT
We don’t have a pension. And no savings pot. Scary as that sounds. We both wanted to stay in London as we love living here and both work in town, often late evenings too. We also knew that if we were to make a sensible investment (as we did with our first flat) then we needed to find an up and coming area where we could hopefully make a profit.
4. A PROJECT
As crazy as it might sound, we were excited for a project. With hindsight, it was a bit naive and far more expensive than we anticipated. However, the reason we even managed to afford our house was its condition – the house had no central heating, no working bathroom or kitchen and most rooms were in disrepair. I have never really been one to live in someone else’s decor anyway and as a creative I can always see through the dirt and dust but a bit of a wreck is always on the better side of the budget and gives you more leverage for bargaining.
5. LOCATION
We’ve established that we didn’t really have a choice on location. But when we viewed the house, we could definitely see potential in the area. We had always assumed North London was more expensive than South London, but turns out we were just looking in the wrong places (and listening to the wrong people). North East London is really turning into an exciting, creative area and more and more people I meet are moving to the neighbouring areas of Tottenham, Turnpike Lane and Bowes Park. The shopping city is getting funding for a big regeneration project, too – although it’s already pretty handy as it is (Tiger, Lidl, H&M – who could ask for more?!).
There’s something quite exciting about living somewhere new to us and being part of a new community…and although we’re a bit further away from family, we make more of an effort to see them and actually spend more quality time together instead.
Love this kind of posts! I totally get the decision to move… Can’t wait to see what it’s going to look like!!
Xx
https://zimmylifestyle.com
I live in North East London too (Wanstead), and its an excellent place to be! As well as great shopping, there’s Epping Forest, farmers markets, local festivals and great transport links into town – whats not to love! I think you made a great choice. X
A big step! If you’re not from London, you probably wouldn’t appreciate the cultural difference between north and south of the river. We moved from Wimbledon to Wood Green when our daughter was born 18 years ago – we felt like pioneers!
We have moved from Stoke Newington to Tottenham. Not such a big move but we much prefer the diversity of our new area. Majorly recommend a walk around Lordship Rec, lovely park and a cute cafe with decent coffee. I love your new home and find inspiration in your interiors posts, especially the bathroom one.
Thank you! Yes such an interesting area – yes must check out Lordship rec x
Yes, it’s so funny, isn’t it?! Aah a very similar move to us – my sister still lives in Wimbledon – a world away! xx
Wanstead is so gorgeous! Definitely a lot happening around there xx
Have brunch at the Haberdashery in crouch end and Kiva in Palmers Green. Get lunch at Bobs cafe in muswell hill. Grab a coffee at ChrisKitch Muswell Hill. Grab a pub lunch at the Clissold arms east finchley/muswell hill or at the Ranelagh in bounds green.
So many awesome eateries..
I’ve moved from Wood Green to Enfield and miss it lots…
Hi Alex,
Not at all relevant to this post, but I am off to Japan in October and wanted to let you know that I have found your Japan posts very helpful (I’ve pretty much used them as a guidebook), so thanks for those!
Oh enjoy!!!! My favourite place on earth – we had the best time so (as long as the places are still open!) you will too xxxx
Love this! We moved from East to West last year to buy our first flat and it was such a wrench too! And totally know what you mean about the niavety of renovations, but I always think its those that take the plunge and make crazy decisions that benefit in the end! 😉 can’t wait to continue to see progress on the house xxx
I would love to be able to have my own place just so that I could really make it our own instead of worrying about how many holes we are allowed to make in each room, alas, I don’t think I will ever be in a position to buy a house where I live now but who knows what the future may bring. Happy week, Alex
Sometimes you have to make a compromise sadly, we would love to have stayed in our area but it was just not feasible. And I don’t miss having to ask for permission to paint or drill! xx
People find it hard to believe how different it can be moving from one side to another in London! And yes – renovations are the way to go for affordability as well it seems! x
I’ve always lived in North London in the 6 years I’ve been here, absolutely love it – all my friends who are south of the river rave about it but I don’t see it 😉 I love Holloway Road, such an interesting diverse stretch and Finsbury Park is a great green space! Looking forward to see many more of your posts in this area 😉
I love South London – there’s good parts to every bit of London – but excited to explore North! x
I completely get your reason for moving. We were in central brighton before (well Hove) and I ABSOLUTELY loved living there but there was no way we could afford a house so we’ve had to move out go the suburbs. It’s not as bad as I expected it to be but definitely a big change. Getting used to it and settling in now though x
Aah Hove is so lovely – but sure the new place is gorgeous too, as much as I’m unsettled in the new area, I love our house and that’s where we are 90% of the time so hopefully I’ll love the area just as much in time! x
Hi there, welcome to Bounds Green! I live in Bowes Park and have seen it dramatically change over the 3 years I’ve been here, it’s a very exciting place to be. It really feels like a community too, there are so many creative people around. There are great quiz and music nights at The Step on Myddleton Road and I’ll be trying out the Ceildh at Bounds Green Bowls and Tennis Club on the 21st October…. come and check it out!!
Oh thank you – sounds great! We’re just opposite Myddleton Road so not far at all xx
Love your renovation posts – I’m about to get my own girly room having moved my two boys into a room together. I can’t wait so thanks for the study inspo especially. We moved from Shepherds Bush to Isleworth for more space for our money and even though it was west London to further west (but not much) the difference is so big and we miss Shepherds Bush a lot.
When I first moved to London, I made a point to experience each area as much as possible. My daughter wasn’t in school yet so we didn’t have that tie to an area. It’s made me a lot more knowledgeable about all the little ‘hoods in the city. And yes, you are right…I know some people in west London who NEVER go North. Good luck with the reno! Such fun.
That’s such a good idea – I’ve worked all over which has been so helpful for getting to know neighbourhoods too – although never as far as Wood Green before! x
Ahh Bowes Park, my old neighbourhood! If you want somewhere super cute for a coffee, lunch (even dinner!), try The Step on Myddleton Rd. So cute and they have jazz nights, comedy nights, all that kinda stuff. Really lovely vibe!
When you’re a Mum soon you’ll really find this area of London is perfect!! I live in Alexandra Palace side of Wood Green and there’s so much for young families in this area – especially if you’ll venture to Hornsey, muswell hill, crouch end as well as Wood Green and Bounds Green. Get the Hoop App. There’s some lovely big play groups and zillions of groups/classes in pubs and church halls and park cafes- especially Pages Lane (muswell hill) playgroups on Tuesdays, Bears in the park (priory park) and Boathouse (ally pally), Spark 99 classes on Myddleton Rd, Burghley Rd play centre. Two fab children’s book shops, loads of great cafes, lots different parks etc. You can really get under the surface of an area once you’re in it with a little one exploring!
Thank you! Yes I keep passing Spark 99 – and agree, you don’t really find out your area until you’ve had a baby! xx
I have been looking in the wrong areas! This is such a good tip for someone living across the pond and planning our future in England. My husband is from England and his family home is in the south by the sea. We love it but there is no diversity! And me being Chinese American, living in a diverse area in Southern California, its a bit scary! I always say I need to live in an area with a Chinese market. Haha. Rightmove has not been my friend!