Paging Addy!

[Pandora II]

I live very close to Elephant & Castle, so I know the area round there well.

Would you be looking to buy or rent?

If you would be happy to give me a rough idea of the kind of budget you''d have, I can probably suggest a few areas to you.

One thing I can say is don''t necessarily be put off by some of the council estates. I live on one and about 35% and growing of the properties are now privately owned - mainly professional couples in their 30''s to 40''s.

Where I live doesn''t look amazing, but it''s very safe, nice green spaces nearby, the flats are bigger inside than they look and we''ve really enjoyed living round here.

The area round E&C can be very affordable and transport links are excellent - it''s also not that hard driving out of London.

Anyway, if you want some suggestions, let me know what you''re looking for and I''ll see what I can come up with.

 

[Rhea]

Hello again. I don''t feel well so I may miss a couple of your questions.

I found out today that DH is, for real this time, likely to switch job in the next 6 months. This makes me happy as he''s more likely to take a job in Central London so he won''t want to commute either. Yay!!

I don''t want to commute more than 45 minutes by public transport and he''s not willing to drive more than 30 minutes. I checked Elephant is about 50 minutes so that not bad, but I imagine rush hour would be much worse. Especially since I''ve been doing the hour and a half commute for over 18 months and have said the entire time that I can''t do this very long.

We can''t buy, neither of us makes anywhere near enough to save for 10% down. On our current salaries it''d take another 2-3 years to save it. We honestly probably can''t afford to move until DH changes jobs, which is why we''ve stayed where we have been for so long.

 

[Pandora II]

Sorry to hear you''re ill - hope you are feeling better soon!

Good news about your husband''s job - commutes are hell!

Let me know if you want any info on different bits of London and average rents. There are some pretty nice places that are reasonable affordable that people don''t think of.

The Rotherhithe/Surrey Docks/top end of Lewisham area is reasonably affordable and very nice. It''s also on the Jubilee Line which is one of the best tube lines in London.

I know what you are saying on the buying thing here - it''s crazy and so unaffordable it''s ridiculous.

 

[Rhea]

Would you ever be up for a coffee or something after work? I would actually like to get more into rental prices but don''t feel comfortable giving away too much information on here, especially since we can''t edit posts after we know the information has been read.

 

[Pandora II]

Absolutely!

It takes me about 20 minutes to get to E & C from work, so let me know a few dates that work for you and I''ll meet you there.

 

[Rhea]

Thursdays are best for me, sometimes Wednesdays. How is either the 29th or the 5th? If Thursdays are out for you I can come up with some more dates later tonight or tomorrow!

 

[Pandora II]

29th is bad for me as I have a meeting.

5th sounds good - I haven''t got my work diary at home, so I''ll have to confirm on Tuesday when I''m back in the office.

Is 6.15ish too late for you?

 

[Rhea]

I''m the one who picked the date (and only last night!) and now I can''t do the 5th. I have a friend coming over for two days only.

Potential dates:
Wed 28th
Fri 30th
Wed 4th
Tues 10th
Wed 11th
Thur 12th
Fri 13th

Might any of those work for you?

Actually, any ideas on what to do with the friend in London? She''ll likely do a lot of the touristy stuff with the person that she''s travelling with, she and I are just spending a few hours together in the afternoon and then dinner. I think she thinks I know my way around London well. I''ve told her I pretty much just go to work and back but I''m not sure she truly gets that.

 

[Pandora II]

Hmm, here are some of my favourites:

The bling section at the Natural History Museum if it's raining - museums in London are free as well.

Tate Modern

Walk along the South Bank (one of my favourites)

Feed the squirrels in St James's Park - I did this yesterday evening, and they are so tame they will come and sit on your knee. They only like nuts - they don't eat cake! Take bread for the ducks as well...

If you have any more info on the kinds of thing she likes (museums, outside stuff, markets etc) I can come up with some more. For example the John Soane Museum is a weird little place that you would probably never know was there.

Will check the dates when I'm back at work - I'm sure there are a couple that will be great!

 

[Rhea]

Thanks! I''ll look forward to hearing from you on Tuesday.

She''s very arty and a nature lover. She likes to go for a walk and feed small, fluffy animals in the park. So the park sounds wonderful, thanks!! I was also thinking of going to a market. I''ve been to Camden and parts of that seem like they''d be up her alley. For example, she makes found object jewellery and paints. I''ve seen a few similar things in Camden before. I can''t think of what other markets would be nice, I''ve only been to a handful myself.

 

[Pandora II]

Date: 5/24/2008 4:42:14 AM
Author: Addy
I''m the one who picked the date (and only last night!) and now I can''t do the 5th. I have a friend coming over for two days only.

Potential dates:
Wed 28th
Fri 30th
Wed 4th
Tues 10th
Wed 11th
Thur 12th
Fri 13th

Might any of those work for you?

Actually, any ideas on what to do with the friend in London? She''ll likely do a lot of the touristy stuff with the person that she''s travelling with, she and I are just spending a few hours together in the afternoon and then dinner. I think she thinks I know my way around London well. I''ve told her I pretty much just go to work and back but I''m not sure she truly gets that.

I can do tomorrow - 28th or Tuesday 10th, Wednesday 11th, Thursday 12th might be a bit tricky but could do it at a push.

 

[Rhea]

Tuesday the 10th is the best date for me of that bunch. I will be ready with all my property and leasing in London questions!!