Working near Regent's Park - Where to live?

Hey folks!

Well, the big day is moving closer (mid-May) and we are trying to narrow down the neighbourhoods we are going to pursue for housing. I'll be working near Regent's Park and there are quite a few tube lines near the office (Circle, Hammersmith, Northern, Metropolitan and even Bakerloo lines).

I'd like to hear peoples' opinions on where would be a good place to start. Ideally, we'd like to live in a terraced house (not a deal breaker), in Zones 1 or 2 and I'd prefer not to have to change lines multiple times (once would be grand) to get to and from work.

We have been looking online (rightmove.co.uk) and there are a lot of open flats in Canary Wharf. Canary Wharf comes to mind simply because we'd like have a place that has all modern comforts and it seems to be the "newest" area. Would this be too far to where I work? I know it kind of been a trendy place to live but these days it might have died down a little due to the economy?

Any opinions are appreciated!

ei22re

Depends what you'd define as "too far" for a commute.  My husband does the opposite commute and it takes him about 40 minutes door to door, including a little walk on both ends.

Coming from Canary Wharf, you could go straight into Baker Street station (no changes) on the Jubilee line.

Any place on the Jubilee Line only is going to end up being quite isolated at weekends, as there are frequent closures for engineering works.  Although it is a new and shiny area, I think I'd be reluctant to live somewhere which has relatively little life outside the working week.

Personally, I'd stay north and west...St John's Wood, Swiss Cottage, Finchley Road. 

Vicky

I personally wouldn't choose Canary Wharf as a place to live because it's so sterile and not really a community vibe. I have to agree with Victoria, NW is an excellent choice if you are working near Regents Park. I spent a couple of years living in the Kilburn Park area and it was great for getting to work in central London. There's the tube, overground and loads of buses going pretty much all over London from there. It used to take me about 1/2 hour to get to work (in Piccadilly Circus), door to door. Plus there is a great community mix in that area, diverse cultures. Kilburn High Rd has nice cafes, pubs, theatre and other nightlife. But if you want something a bit more refined try the areas Victoria mentioned, also Maida Vale proper, Little Venice.

ps I would not live somewhere where you have to rely on the circle line ti get to work, it is one of the slowest lines and always seems to be closed for repairs on the weekend!

Oops.  How could I forget about weekend closures?  Definitely a key point.  While (for the reasons Britwife mentioned) we didn't even look in Canary Wharf, having such limited weekend tube service would really be a bummer.   

I agree with Britwife and Vicky.  To me Canary Wharf is more a business destination.  We used to go down there quite a bit at the weekend to shop and it was busy but it definitely didn't have a community feel.  I also think it's a bit far to commute every day from Canary Wharf to Regents Park, but that's just me (I refuse to commute longer than 20 minutes!)...NW is a better bet in my mind.

Personally, I'd stay north and west...St John's Wood, Swiss Cottage, Finchley Road. 

Vicky

Yup.

Thanks a million everyone! Looks like we'll be looking more towards the NW and W.

Canary Wharf is a little too sterile without much going on for residents. I'm with those who suggest St Johns Wood/Maida Vale, but don't rule out Notting Hill Gate and Bayswater or Islington/Angel that is quite vibrant.

Angel to Regents Park isn't a straight run though.


Vicky

Angel to Regents Park isn't a straight run though.


Vicky

It is on the 274 bus. 

Yes, but it's an ars* of a route in rush hour.

Trying out-bus me 


 

Vicky

I refuse to commute longer than 20 minutes

You must be one of about 5% of people in London who have such a short commute, lucky you!

Regent's Park is a good size, will you be closest to Regent's Park or Baker St tube stations?  Or in the direction of St John's Wood or Camden Town?

I pass through Regent's Park tube each day from Marylebone to Oxford Circus so if you were looking to live further out of London you can get the diesel trains out of Marylebone.

If you want to stay in Zone 1 or 2 in a terraced house (for rent I assume) you could be looking at a pretty penny, what maybe close to £2000 pcm?  Or you could go for this place:
http://tinyurl.com/cvxrnk
Only £4000 pw!

You must be one of about 5% of people in London who have such a short commute, lucky you!

When I lived in London (and in Edinburgh), I had a great commute.  Walked ten minutes to my office next to the Tower of London.  It was fantastic.  In Edinburgh I walked about the same to my office a couple streets off Princes Street.  Wonderful!  It's a priority to me to not have to commute, so I generally live close to my workplace.  Even in Chicago, I walked to work downtown. 

Most of us in London can't afford that. 


Vicky