How To Purchase House

Excluding Moscow, London is Europe’s largest city with a population of about seven million, although this figure very much depends on where you stop counting. This statistic helps to account for London’s infinite variety; such a huge and diverse population means the city is very experienced at catering for every taste – yet still manages to surprise.

Although it’s typical to talk about London in terms of geography – the city, the east, the north and so on – Londoners often talk about their ‘village’, meaning the distinct area where they live. This is a good way to approach London, namely in ‘bite size’ chunks. Trying to master the entire city, or even understand it, is simply too complex, even for a Londoner. If you visit on a city break then just relax and pursue your own interests. Whether you enjoy world-class museums, shopping or just lazing around in historic pubs then London will be able to cater for your tastes.

Beneath the modern dynamism and fashionable buzz, you’ll find an old-fashioned, elegant city that harks back to the days of the Empire and beyond. National confidence is evident in the grandeur of the buildings; wealth obvious from their scope and magnificence. Even a short list serves to impress: Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament and the Albert Memorial. Beautiful Greenwich contains superb architecture, the Cutty Sark (sadly a victim of arson and undergoing repair) and the Prime Meridian. Superb and historic museums and art galleries are scattered around the city, including the enormous British Museum in Bloomsbury, stuffed to the gills with treasures from around the world, and the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square.

If entertainment rather than history is your prime aim then London boasts superb shops and theatres. Department stores sit cheek by jowl in Oxford Street, up-market designer shops can be found in Regent and Bond Street, whilst King’s Road is great for sourcing small designers or pillaging the second hand market. London’s famous theatre district, the West End, is the place to catch any kind of dramatic performance, from Waiting for Godot to Starlight Express.

But if you would like to discover what is up-to-the-minute and trendy in terms of art, architecture and performance, then lesser-known districts like Shoreditch and Hackney have become Meccas for modern artists and the cool crowd. Notting Hill used to be the edgy place to go, but no longer. Modern architectural icons are more spread out, but easier to spot. The ‘gherkin’ is an obvious building to admire or to laugh at; another major icon is the hugely successful Tate Modern to the south. London city breaks can be as modern or nostalgic as you wish.

All these attractions are only the beginning of what London has to offer – and with the 2012 Olympics on the horizon, its famous ability to change and develop looks set to continue.

When it comes to buying property in London, the number of choices available to you can be overwhelming. It’s easy to get carried away when looking for your ideal home in Britain’s most exciting city. However, it’s important to be realistic: with the average cost of a London property now reaching over £300,000, you need to be sensible when it comes to your London property search in order to find the home that will best suit you and your budget.

First and foremost, you’ll need to determine how much you can actually afford to spend as this can really affect your search. Typically, property in Central London is the most expensive, with the price of a single bedroom flat often in excess of £200,000. However, as you move further away from the city centre, London properties tend to become less expensive, with property in East London typically costing less than properties for sale in North London (although the 2012 Olympics may alter this pattern). So, if staying within your budget is your primary concern, then excluding central London from your thoughts should help narrow your search.

However, while location is of considerable importance, it’s also crucial to figure out what you’re looking for when it comes to your ideal home, and to make these desires fit in realistically within your property search. After all, there’s no point looking at property if it doesn’t fulfil any of your requirements!

Even if your individual budget is quite restricted, you’ll be able to find a city centre property that meets your requirements and suits your finances if you’re able to pool resources. If you’re buying with your spouse or partner, for example, a one-bedroom property in Chelsea may become more affordable.

What’s more, if you feel the need to live where the action is, why not opt for a house in East London where property prices still remain lower than many other areas of the city. With the 2012 Olympics looming near, the area is soon to be the hub of regeneration and will be the area to which all eyes will turn come the Olympic tournament. As a result, investing in an East London property today may reap a number of benefits in the future.

On the other hand, if one of your chief desires when searching for a property in London is a garden, or a multiple-bedroom property to house your large family, then searching for a house further outside the city centre is a more realistic expectation.

Where ever you choose to look for your ideal home in London, make sure you keep your budget in mind without compromising on your desires and requirements.