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London Property Gems Are Often South Of The River

15:37 Mon 24th May 2010 |

When it comes to London property, for the uninitiated, it’s all about homes north of the river. In fact, a significant proportion of buyers looking for their first property in London won't even give the south side of the capital a second thought, often buying into outdated prejudices.

However, the savvy buyer is all too aware that there are numerous desirable suburbs of the city which boast an 'S-something' postcode, from firmly-established favourites to up-and-coming neighbourhoods, several of which offer both easy access to the centre of London and the chance to escape and be away from the hustle and bustle in a matter of minutes.

Take Kennington, for example. Properties the same distance north of the Thames as this area is south of the river would cost a small fortune. But, as it is, despite boasting fine Georgian architecture, vibrant bars and the historic Oval cricket ground, this continues to be largely overlooked, with prices reflecting this.

Likewise, while the very mention of Elephant and Castle could leave even the most open-minded of buyers cold, the surrounding streets boast some of the hottest London property opportunities of the moment.

For people looking for something a little less vibrant and seeking the laid-back life of suburbia while simultaneously enjoying the benefits of capital living, south London also boasts homes and high streets that more than give the likes of Hampstead and Kensington a run for their money.

No longer a 'ghetto' for new graduates starting out on their careers in the city, Clapham is now a hub of young families, with its bustling cafe scene, bars and restaurants complemented by the open spaces of the vast common and all within a 20-minute underground commute from Trafalgar Square.

Similarly, while in the past it may have looked across the Albert Bridge to Chelsea with envy, Battersea has started to come into its own over recent years.

They all share the common attraction of being a little less crowded and a little less expensive than their counterparts north of the river.

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