Ruth Bloomfield
Inside London’s great affordable homes betrayal
At new developments, targets are routinely being slashed for property Londoners can actually afford, reports Ruth Bloomfield
This family swapped London for Hampshire to save to buy their own home
Initially, this couple’s move beyond the commuter belt was a bit of a culture shock
‘I still love London, but moving to Bath was the right choice’
Green space was the big push for this family in deciding to swap Herne Hill for a hillside overlooking Bath
You can rent a house on an aristocratic estate — for £1,600 a month
A two-bedroom gatehouse on the edge of the sprawling Cliveden Estate has been put up for rent by the National Trust.
A comprehensive guide to the best London areas to buy your first home
From Bromley-by-Bow to Richmond, Ruth Bloomfield finds London’s best areas to buy a starter flat and pinpoints where prices have peaked
‘How we swapped our ‘unsellable’ London flat for a house in St Albans’
A 30-mile move ended up taking this family a year and a half.
A ‘real low point’ date sparked one Londoner’s seaside move
Charlotte Ashcroft went on a seaside adventure and now rents a flat for the same price as her old room in London
‘It is liveable, just’: London leavers on life in a crumbling rectory
No strangers to a reno job, this young family have set themselves a new challenge in Somerset — leaking windows and all
How I swapped a flatshare in Fulham for a new home and dream business
Swapping Fulham for the coast led this former Londoner to finding everything she wanted.
This London renter swapped Zone 2 for Zone 4 to buy her first home
Monthly payments are £200 more than renting in Fulham, but marketing manager Daisy Smith is finding plenty of advantages to owning her own home
Why one freelance teacher swapped Streatham for a new life by the sea
Leaving London felt like a risky decision for this freelance teacher
How two Londoners swapped rentals for a doer-upper in a Sussex Citadel
After 30 years of London life, this couple had just three days to organise their move to the coast
‘Moving to Suffolk was a culture shock but we’re learning to love it’
Needing to upsize to a multi-generational home pushed these London leavers from Walthamstow out to a Victorian villa in Suffolk
This quiet, leafy Crossrail spot is rated for its family-friendly vibe
This Berkshire town on the Elizabeth line is a hit with families moving from Ealing and Southall.
Three commuter towns set for major regeneration in 2023
Looking for more bang for your buck, a fast commute and potential future house price growth? These Home Counties towns are worth a look
Culture-filled UK cities where London leavers’ money will go further
Looking for a change of pace in 2023? Norwich, Canterbury or Salisbury are three cathedral cities with a lot to offer.
Less-known areas near hipster spots with homes a fraction of the price
Forget budget-busting Brixton and Crouch End. Target your home search within a mile or two and find top first-time buyer value in under-the-radar areas
Why this London renter moved to a Dorset village — and has no regrets
Leaving London has given this family room to breathe and a more affordable lifestyle.
This foodie gem on Crossrail is a hit with buyers from east London
This Crossrail area has good property stock, plentiful green space, and a burgeoning foodie scene.
Fast commutes and good-value homes are a draw for Crossrail commuters
Value for money, fast commutes and green spaces are a big draw for home hunters searching along the Elizabeth line
Burnout led this former nurse to a new home and community on the coast
This former A&E nurse found a new career, home and vibrant community on the south coast.