Staying in London
Why staying in London after the pandemic was hard but right for us...I hope.
We have decided to stay in London and not just London but still fairly central, albeit with bad connections.
During lockdown and when Violet was very small, I was keen to get out of town, to go somewhere green with lots of space. My Rightmove list is full of pretty cottages in Norfolk and interesting buildings in Hastings.
But ultimately, we decided that staying was right for us. What is more, we aren’t even looking in the suburbs - after a quick look at Crouch End just to check we still couldn't afford anything nice.
In early Feb we drafted rough criteria to try and help, it won't surprise anyone.
Essential
At least two bedrooms
Third bedroom or study - both working from home a lot and somewhere for Elsie’s soap/candles
Very good schools (primary and secondary)
Garden or, if that’s not possible big terrace
Storage - General
Storage - bedroom for clothes around 6m (this is v important)
Nice shops/community nearby (pub, shops etc.)
Would like to have
Nice kitchen
Washing machine in a cupboard
Kitchen diner and another living room, not just one big kitchen dinner, but if the kitchen in the room has to be big and separate
Near some of our friends or family
Open space parks etc
Parking - Street parking is ok
Hopefully two bathrooms
Good transport links
Maybe near water
I would like a gym nearby
Well we found somewhere, it doesn't meet all the criteria, since the transport links are dreadful, there is no outside space, and we don't have a parking space. But there are lots of lovely things about it. More to follow...