We previously looked at the most expensive streets in London, where celebs, footballers and property magnates live behind tall hedges and alarmed gates. Now we scope out some of the cheapest neighbourhoods.
Erith
Much has changed in Erith since the 19th century, when it was a popular riverside resort for visitors travelling here to spend the day by the Thames. Local industry fell into decline and day-trippers went elsewhere. Today one bedroom flats starting from as little as £90,000.
While there are some Victorian buildings, there was a big push in construction after World War II, so much of the housing is made up of estates of purpose built flats. Located in the borough of Bexleyheath, it falls in zones 5-6 and trains from Erith run to Charing Cross every 10 minutes; Slade Green train station sounds like it might take you somewhere magical, like the Land of Oz, but it just goes to Dartford.
As part of the Thames Gateway Project, Erith is being modernised, one example being the blocks of flats by Erith Pier. The town also boasts its own football club (Erith Town FC, Premier Division of the Southern Counties East League). The conservation area of Dartford Salt Marshes is a short drive away.
Erith trivia: In 2011 Arthur Street had the cheapest property in London, a road located within a handy distance of Purely Pythons, a shop that sells, well, pythons.
\n\nHarold Hill
You’d be forgiven for thinking you’re in Essex, but Harold Hill falls under London’s zone 6. Another post-war development, the first residents lived in prefab housing. Thankfully that’s been replaced with purpose built blocks. One bedroom flats start from £110,000.
Transport-wise it’s a bit of a mission to get anywhere as there are no underground or train stations nearby; Harold Wood station is roughly 1 mile away, and bus routes only go as far as neighbouring places like Dagenham and Becontree, with none linking to central London. Another downside is its reputation, several local stabbings have made the papers in recent years, however according to Havering council it’s one of the fastest improving neighbourhoods in the borough.
Among its amenities are the leisure centre, tennis courts and several parks, but there is no real high street. Station Road has the most shops, including a Cooperative supermarket, but most local businesses are car dealerships, with the exception of the retail estate on Colchester Road.
Bromley
One bedroom flats start from £120,000, a bargain given that Bromley benefits from a bus station, the Glades shopping centre and two train stations. Moreover Bromley seems relatively well-off, counting branches of Gap and Russell & Bromley among its outlets.
There is plenty of greenery and the train journey to London takes around 35 minutes, so where’s the catch? It depends who you ask, as in 2013 controversial comic Frankie Boyle labelled it a “lobotomy made out of bricks”, which prompted the ire of many locals. Residents leapt to Bromley’s defence by claiming it’s a peaceful place, with all the restaurants and shops one could possibly need. One person’s lobotomy is another’s paradise.
Bromley trivia: it’s a hotbed of talent. David Bowie, HG Wells, Siouxsie Sioux and Charles Darwin have all lived here.
\n\nCatford
Catford edges closer to central London than the areas mentioned above, so one beds are a little pricier starting from around £125,000. However at the time of writing there were homes being auctioned from as little as £95,000.
Catford invokes a fierce division of opinion; on one hand people hate the cheap shops and high crime rates, while other residents will quote official figures saying it has the lowest crime rate in the borough of Lewisham and large attractive houses are available for a fraction of the price of north London homes.
The shopping centre is humble with its pound shops and discount stores, but how many retail centres do you know to have a giant fibreglass black cat leaping over it? There is debate over the validity of their mascot too; although some believe Catford got its name because black cats were routinely thrown into the ford in medieval times, others think it is so-called because there was a cattle crossing here in the past.
Woolwich
Property developers have pounced on Woolwich, building riverside apartments around the Woolwich Arsenal area that could rival plush homes in the Docklands. While some of these go for £250-280,000, step away from the river and one beds flats can be found for £80,000.
The centre of Woolwich has plenty of shops, and in terms of getting around there’s the DLR, rail and bus links. Bits by the river are very pretty, there’s a gastropub and Firepower, the Royal Artillery Museum is also here. Redevelopment is already attracting young professionals so this won’t remain a cheap area for much longer.
Woolwich trivia: When Tesco opened its superstore here in November 2012 rumour spread that it was the biggest Tesco in existence with 86,000 sqr ft of shopping space. In fact the honour goes to the Walkden store in Salford.
