1. North
This two-bed flat on the first floor of a converted Edwardian semi is a short stroll from the shops on the High Road in North Finchley. It is well decorated and the sitting room is a good size with a bay window.
Downside: It is on a busy road, but the main bedroom has double glazing.
Advertisement
Upside: Buses run right outside; Woodside Park Tube station is a 15-minute walk away.
Price: £214,950. Martyn Gerrard: 020-8445 2222 or www.martyngerrard.co.uk
2. South
Move south of the river for this one-bed garden flat in a converted terraced house. It has its own front door on a pretty street in an up-and-coming area. Elephant and Castle Tube station is a 15-minute walk.
Downside: The Aylesbury estate just down the road is to be demolished, so you will have to put up with the noise and dust.
Upside: This area is being regenerated, so the price may go up in the future.
Price: £179,000 from Wooster & Stock, 020-8299 5310, www.woosterstock.co.uk
3. East
Advertisement
Waltham Forest may benefit from the 2012 Olympics and Barratt is building 250 new homes on Fulbourne Road. One-bed flats at Forest Place start at £175,995 and two-bedders at £204,995, but studios will cost less than £150,000.
Downside: The flats will not be ready until the end of the year. The whole scheme will not be complete until September 2007.
Upside: Incentives include stamp duty, car parking or 5 per cent deposit on certain flats. 020-8531 5127 Thursday to Monday
Advertisement
4. West
This one-bed first-floor flat in Putney seems to tick all the boxes. It is in good condition, has a new bathroom and is on a quiet street a short walk from the shops and a longer stroll to East Putney Tube.
Downside: It is very small — not much larger than a studio. A double bed takes up most of the bedroom.
Advertisement
Upside: You get a share of the freehold rather than a dwindling lease.
Price: £225,000, from Townends, 020-8785 4244 or www.townends.co.uk