As a first time buyer in London, you’ve probably asked yourself which borough is right for you. Of course, affordability matters, but so do local amenities and good transport links. Choosing where to buy your first home is a big decision, so it’s important to pick somewhere that suits your lifestyle.
In 2021, we conducted research to rank the best London boroughs for first time buyers, based on factors that matter to them, such as property prices, access to Cycle Superhighways and Green Flag parks and the number of train stations and bus stops. Boroughs that performed well included two locations of current Pocket developments: Croydon and Waltham Forest.
Below, find out why the locations we’ve chosen for our available Pocket homes are perfect for you, the city makers.
Location spotlight on Pocket Living developments
Croydon
Croydon’s stint as London’s Borough of Culture 2023 reinforced its reputation as an exciting place to live. This, along with the ongoing investment and regeneration in the borough, makes it a promising location for city makers to put down roots.
The borough has extensive transport links, including numerous train, tram and bus routes that connect it to Central London and beyond. Our Addiscombe Grove CR0 development in East Croydon offers excellent connectivity for city makers, as it’s just minutes from East Croydon Station. From here, you can hop on direct trains to:
- London Bridge in 15 minutes
- Victoria in 17 minutes
- St Pancras in 30 minutes
- Gatwick Airport in 16 minutes
- Brighton in 49 minutes
The station also has a stop for Tramlink services that head Eastbound to Beckenham Junction and Westbound to Wimbledon, making it easy to explore South London.
When it’s time to decompress and catch your breath, Croydon has tons of places to go and touch grass. Green spaces near East Croydon include:
- Wandle Park: Featuring gardens, water features and tennis courts, this Green Flag park is a peaceful pocket of nature in Croydon’s bustling town centre.
- Lloyd Park: This expansive green space features woodlands, outdoor sports facilities and a café amongst wide, grassy areas.
- Park Hill Recreation Ground: Located just down the road from Addiscombe Grove CR0, this park provides somewhere to relax or exercise outside close to home.
The remaining Pocket homes in East Croydon start at £199,999. Visit our Addiscombe Grove CR0 page to learn more about the available apartments.
Walthamstow
Culture, creativity and community thrive in Walthamstow, the largest neighbourhood in the London Borough of Waltham Forest and home to our Forest Road E17 development.
The area offers convenient transport links for residents. Underground and Overground services via the Victoria and Weaver lines run from Walthamstow Central Station, just a 12-minute walk from the development. Travel times to key destinations include:
- King’s Cross St Pancras in 15 minutes
- Oxford Circus in 19 minutes
- Victoria in 23 minutes
- Liverpool Street in 18 minutes
Walthamstow Central Station also operates a bus station served by 16 routes, making it easy to get around the borough and nearby neighbourhoods.
City makers who choose to buy a Pocket home at Forest Road E17 have a Green Flag award park right on their doorstep. Lloyd Park has been a beautiful green space in the heart of Walthamstow since the Victorian era. Featuring landscaped grounds, the William Morris Gallery (located inside Water House, the designer’s former home), and facilities for a host of activities, the park is a hub for the local community.
We have a selection of Pocket homes available in Walthamstow, with prices from £300,000. Learn more about Forest Road E17 and how to register your interest.
Finchley
If you want to enjoy the best of both worlds, set your sights on Finchley in the London Borough of Barnet. This North London suburb blends rural charm with urban living, making it the perfect location for city makers seeking some peace away from the buzz. Part of the area’s appeal lies in its transport connections and leafy green spaces.
Our Woodside Park N12 development is located next to Woodside Park Station, putting the Tube right on your doorstep. At the station, the High Barnet branch of the Northern line takes you to destinations like:
- Euston in 21 minutes
- Old Street in 27 minutes
- Bank in 31 minutes
- Tottenham Court Road in 26 minutes
- Waterloo in 30 minutes
North London is known for its leafy landscapes, and Woodside Park is no exception. Parks and nature spaces near our Pocket community include:
- Riverside Park: A long stretch of greenery along the Dollis Brook, just moments from the development.
- Whetstone Stray: Featuring meadows and pathways, this green space (which also straddles the Dollis Brook) is perfect for dog walks.
- Darlands Nature Reserve: Spanning 32 hectares, this nature reserve features woodlands, wetlands and wildlife. Visiting here is like stepping into the countryside.
Our remaining Pocket homes in Finchley start at £309,300. Discover more information about this community on our dedicated Woodside Park N12 page.
Harrow
The London Borough of Harrow may be known for its world-class education, but there’s so much on offer here for city makers. Providing access to both Central London and the green belt, the area puts cityscapes and country escapes within easy reach.
Located a 10-minute walk from our Sheepcote Road HA1 development, Harrow-on-the-Hill Station is the neighbourhood’s transport hub, with National Rail, Underground and bus services operating from it. Chiltern Railways and the Metropolitan line provide direct routes to places like:
- London Marylebone in 14 minutes
- Wembley Park in 7 minutes
- Baker Street in 22 minutes
- Farringdon in 31 minutes
- Liverpool Street in 35 minutes
Residents at Sheepcote Road HA1 have access to beautiful outdoor spaces in every direction, including two Green Flag award-winning parks:
- Harrow Recreation Ground: One of the town’s key parks since the Victorian era, it features gardens, outdoor fitness facilities, a café and more.
- Kenton Recreation Ground: This park is a go-to for relaxation and sports. Alongside open green spaces, it has cycle routes, a pump track, tennis courts and football pitches.
- Northwick Park: With cricket, football and Gaelic football pitches, this park is another local hub for outdoor sports.
Our remaining apartments in Harrow are available from £262,000. Find out more about the development on our Sheepcote Road HA1 page.
Buy your first home in London with Pocket Living
At Pocket Living, we offer a 20% discount on homes to help you become a homeowner in the city you give so much to. Explore our communities and create a My Pocket account to see which developments you’re eligible for.