With high demand and huge variation between neighbourhoods, it is worth knowing exactly what you are looking for before you start booking viewings. Whether you want to be right in the middle of the nightlife or you want a park nearby for your children to run around after school, getting your priorities clear early will make things easier. Having lived in London for many years these are my tips on how to get it right.

Choosing Your Neighbourhood

London is a patchwork of distinct areas, each with its own personality and price tag. Before you start browsing listings, think about what matters most to you in a location. Areas like Shoreditch, Clapham, and Camden are lively and social, providing an urban buzz and world-class nightlife. If you prefer a slower pace, places like Richmond, Hampstead and Greenwich offer a quieter, more village combined with historic architecture and huge parks.

If you want to balance modern living and fast transport links, urban regeneration projects are worth a look. Many people find that new build homes in emerging hubs offer the best of both worlds: high-spec interiors and burgeoning local communities with excellent links to the City or Canary Wharf for work.

Calculate the Real Monthly Cost

Rents and sale prices vary dramatically across London for similar style properties. Even within the same borough the difference of one tube stop can make the price change by hundreds of pounds. Moving further away from the station can save you money as convenience costs a premium.  Setting a strict financial limit early will help you filter out places you can't afford and prevent heartbreak during the search. When planning your budget remember that the monthly rent or mortgage (or both in the case of shared ownership) is just the starting point. You also need to consider council tax, utilities, deposit and transport costs.

Council tax needs to be factored in and this can vary significantly by borough and property band, Westminster is famously lower than neighbouring boroughs such as Camden or Islington. You can easily check online what the current council tax of a property is if you know the address which will save any nasty surprises after you move in. 

With energy prices remaining high, you should always ask to see the property's EPC rating. Whether buying or renting a home this should be made available to you. While landlords are required to update property to an EPC rate of at least E, they only have to spend £3500 before they can apply for an exemption (this is far less than the cost of new windows or wall insulation).  This could mean the beautiful period conversion property you love with it's high ceilings and sash windows is incredibly expensive to heat in winter. 

If renting you will also need to provide a deposit up front. This is capped at five weeks' rent (assuming your annual rent is under £50k) and by law, your landlord has to keep this money safe in a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme (TDS). This means you will get the money back if you meet the terms of the tenancy agreement and keep the property in good condition. If you pay a 'holding' deposit to secure a property before you sign the tenancy agreement this doesn't need to be protected, but it becomes a deposit once you signed and must be placed in a scheme within 30 days. 

If you are expecting to regularly commute to work at any point transport matters. Moving further out might lower your rent or mortgage, but it can make a big difference to your travel costs.  Look at which zone your nearest tube station is and how long the journey might take (TfL's journey planner is really helpful for this).  

The Tube, Overground, DLR and newer Elizabeth line (which has transformed commute times for those living in East and West London) all make getting to work in central London easy.  Don't discount properties on main line routes either as these can offer reliable and fast services from Greater London locations. These properties are often more affordable, but the travel cost is much higher.  

Living further from a station will add to travel time, but this needs to be balanced out with the cost of the property and often nicer areas. London buses are a brilliant, budget-friendly way to get around, especially since the hopper fare lets you hop on as many buses as you need within an hour for a single flat price (on week days). You can get live bus departure times online for your nearest bus stop so there is no longer any need to wait around in the cold wondering if the bus will ever arrive. 

With the landlord or Estate Agent hovering, you might feel under pressure to rush around the property giving only the briefest glance at each room. If you know straight away the place isn't for you then don't waste your time, but if it's worth considering, take your time. It's said that people spend more time choosing their curtains than their home, but rushing can lead to warning signs being missed. Sellers and landlords can both be guilty of making surface level fixes and hiding problem areas, but these can be easy to spot if you take your time. Look for signs of mould or damp in corners and behind cupboards (both are very common in London flats). Stand near the windows and external doors to see if you can feel a draft. Listen for the sounds of neighbours too. It's inevitable you will hear the people living in neighbouring properties if you share walls, but insulation (and their habits) vary. You don't want to be able to hear their conversations word for word (or them yours). 

Don't be afraid to ask questions either. It is reasonable to ask if any redecorating will take place before you move in, especially if there are obviously worn areas. You will also want to know what furniture and appliances will be left in the property. If you drive or might have visitors with cars check if there is any designated parking or if you need to buy a permit. If there is an outside area find out if it is shared and who is expected to maintain it. This information will help you make a responsible decision. 

When you finally find a home, the pressure to sign the paperwork immediately can be intense. Estate agents love to tell you that someone else is waiting to take it, but you should never let them rush you past the details. Buying is a huge commitment and if you are renting you need to take your time to read the tenancy agreement properly.

Finding the right home is a wonderful project and taking your time means you get to enjoy exploring all the different pockets of London. Some people get incredibly lucky and find their ideal house or flat straight away, while for others it takes a little more looking around. Once you have found a welcoming base that fits your daily routine and gives your children plenty of space to thrive, you can leave the property search behind and focus on all the exciting memories you are going to make in the city.