Welcome back to What I Own – Metro’s property series where we speak to homeowners about getting on the ladder.

As the UK entered lockdown, Patrick McAleenan was able to put some extra money aside towards a deposit.

It meant that after 25 years renting in London, he became a first-time buyer, aged 48, swapping the capital for a three-bedroom flat in St-Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex.

Since moving in 2021, he’s been able to connect with a creative community by the seaside, and is relishing in the freedom that homeownership has given him.

Here’s what Patrick had to say about his property journey…

Tell us about yourself…

My name is Patrick and I’m now 52-years-old. Professionally I’m a few things: I own a creative communications agency which offers brand, events and PR consultancy to premium brands, mainly in the alcohol industry.

I’m also a freelance journalist and currently writing my first work of fiction. I’m a keen art collector, love exercise (I was a personal trainer for a while) and hiking.

I’ve also recently taken my first pottery classes, so I’m excited to see where that goes next.

I live alone in a three-bedroom duplex apartment by the sea.

Whereabouts is your property? What do you think of the area?

I live in St Leonards-on-Sea on the East Sussex coast. The area is a creative hub for artists, musicians and creatives, as well as a gastronomic and cultural hotspot with a real sense of community.

The area is still growing and there’s always something new happening. Much of the town is architecturally beautiful as it was built by the acclaimed British property developer James Burton, from 1827.

He also built most of Bloomsbury in London, as well as other architecturally significant areas in the city, including most of Regent Street.

I personally live in an 1850s maisonette (not built by Burton but in a similar style), which the previous owner (also a property developer) had completely renovated, keeping all the original features. It’s a five-minute walk from the sea which is blissful.

When did you move in?

January 2021. I knew this was going to be my home as soon as I walked into it, after first viewing it six months before. It had most of the features I wanted and I could instantly see myself living here.

How much does your property cost?

I bought it for £325,000. It was on the market for £310,000 but everything was going for over the asking at that time, so I knew I had to go a little higher.

How much was your deposit?

I had a deposit of £70,000 which was my own savings and a £10,000 gift from a very generous friend who wanted to see me get on the property ladder.

What is the monthly cost of living here now, both mortgage and bills?

More than it did two years ago. I renewed my fixed-rate mortgage in November 2023 and bills like utilities have gone up quite a bit. My service charges have remained steady thankfully.

In total, I’m paying £2,400 a month on my mortgage and bills – £1,800 of that is my mortgage payment.

How did you save up for your deposit?

The pandemic. I travel a lot for work and pleasure so I got to stay home and just stopped spending money, aside from the essentials. I had £30,000 already saved and quickly saved the rest during that time at home.

What was the process of getting a mortgage like for you? Did you find any parts challenging?

Quite seamless thanks to my mortgage broker. As a freelancer who had just set up a limited company, I thought it would be more difficult than it was. She was creative and very supportive. I was limited on lenders so she focused on the one who was most likely.

Can you share details on your mortgage (rate/term)?

I’m with Barclays and on a two-year fixed rate of 5.92% until November 2025. It went up significantly (by £600 per month) after the first two-year fixed term.

Where did you live before this – were you renting or living with family?

I rented for 25 years in London and lived in 10 different places. I lived with a close friend in her home in North London for my final eight years in the city.

What made you want to buy rather than rent?

I wanted my own home, to settle in one place that was mine. I was also approaching 50 and very aware I had a window to make that happen.

How did you find this property? What made you choose it?

I knew I wanted to leave London and live by the sea, but still have easy access to the city for work and to see friends.

I also wanted an architecturally interesting and beautiful place to live. I kept reading about St Leonards so took the train on a very wintry day and loved it. I thought if I like it in winter, I’ll love it even more in the summer.

I saw a lot of properties in the year it took me to finally buy one, as it was very competitive (mainly with other Londoners). I bid on and lost two before finally buying where I live now.

How have you made the property feel like home? What’s the inspiration for your interior decor style?

I’ve always loved interiors and obsessively read interiors magazines. I’ve also been told I have a good eye.

My apartment had been completely renovated so everything was new, down to all the appliances. I arrived with two pieces of bedroom furniture, two chairs, books, magazines and a few pieces of art, so I was almost starting from scratch. I had managed to save a nice budget for the interior.

I wanted to buy quality pieces of contemporary and vintage furniture that I knew I’d have for a long time, so I focused on buying UK and Italy-made, with a focus on different types of wood, textures and patterns. I have a beautiful hand-made rug from Beni Rugs in Morocco. I wanted lots of colour, and art on the walls and shelves.

I worked with a talented local carpenter to create beautiful storage solutions and with a community filled with artists, I’ve slowly collected a few pieces from locals including Julia Swaby and Tim Nathan, as well as other work I’ve purchased on my travels.

I’d say my style is luxurious comfort with bursts of colour. Think Soho House (I have furniture and lighting from Soho Home) meets art gallery.

What’s your favourite room and why?

My living room – it’s a colourful sanctuary filled with my favourite things including art, photography, plants, books and other objects. It’s also flooded with light at certain times of day.

When my friends come, they say they never want to leave that room.

Do you feel like you have enough space?

More than enough. It’s 1000 sq ft just for me! It was originally a three-bedroom but I had the smallest bedroom converted into a walk-in wardrobe – something I’d always dreamed of having.

I have a second bedroom for guests, who come regularly. The apartment is on three levels as the entrance hallway is on the ground floor and with high ceilings and lots of windows, it feels very spacious and light-filled.

Do you have plans to change the property?

Yes. One day I will knock down a wall between my kitchen and a (wasted) hallway to create a banquette-style dining room. The apartment is painted all in one colour so eventually I’d like to paint areas in different colours and shades, but for now, it’s perfect as it is.

Are there any problems with the property that you have to deal with?

It’s an 1850s maisonnette so it requires upkeep but I’ve had to do nothing major since I’ve arrived. It’s a four-storey house with my neighbours in the basement and ground floor.

What do you want people to know about buying a home?

See a few places first to get a feeling for what you like. I put a bid in on the first property I saw because I liked the high ceilings and fireplace. I didn’t get it and I’m so happy I didn’t. It was completely wrong for me.

I quickly learned not to be impulsive and not get emotionally attached to a property; easier said than done but it worked. It made me very decisive.

Follow your gut when you do find that dream place. I made an offer the day I saw my home. It was £15,000 over the asking and the owner instantly agreed. It was worth every penny as my property has increased in value quite a bit in three years.

What are your plans for the future, in terms of housing? Do you plan to stay here long-term?

Yes. It may not be my forever home but I’m staying put for the foreseeable. I’ve put my heart and creative soul into making it my (and others’) sanctuary.

Shall we take a look around?

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

When viewing a property for the first time, you might be focusing your attention on the interiors and looking for any glaring issues that could cost you down the line.

But as soon as you enter, you might want to focus your attention on the front door itself as one flat number is associated with a specific ‘curse.’

Have you ever lived in flat number one? If so, you might have had more visitors than you anticipated, accommodating various deliveries and lost Deliveroo drivers. Who needs a concierge when you could just press the first buzzer?

Since buying a flat after years of renting, this has been the experience of one disgruntled Redditor – who would have thought twice had they known the perils.

‘When you live in flat one of a block you effectively become the concierge,‘ yojimbo_beta penned in the r/HousingUK thread.

‘Any time a postman, Amazon driver, Deliveroo courier, canvasser etc can’t get hold of flat two, they will see your flat one doorbell and smash that button like you’re their personal helper.

‘It never occurs to them, never, to try anyone else. You are going to be buzzed several times a day, have people peek through your windows, and basically [be] asked to drop everything to solve whatever their problem is.

‘Disconnecting the buzzer helps a little but there’s still a lot of footfall, intrusion, [and] people treating you as the backup for all neighbour-related tasks. I’d definitely think twice next time.’

They weren’t alone in their experience. For @minimumof6, someone on the top floor of their building runs an Airbnb.

‘Their code for their key safe is 1999…can you guess how many guests have no idea what an intercom is and enter this code into the intercom, subsequently buzzing us?’ she wrote.

‘About six in 10 people. I’m permanently WFH so I made a note. I had to ask them to remove the one from the code.’

Meanwhile, @Original_Nothing_787 used to live on the top floor of a block of flats. After the delivery drivers realised that they worked from home and were subsequently in ‘all the time,’ they became the go-to parcel people.

‘They ended up ringing us every day instead of the flats they actually had mail for…was frustrating at least,’ they penned. ‘Never let anyone know you’re home during the day.’

@FootballBackground88 used to live in a block of flats where the road address was 88, and so everyone’s address was ‘Flat X, 88 Y Road.’ It caused such a nuisance that flat 88 ‘had a notice on the door as they were harassed so frequently.’

However, while it might be frustrating constantly being treated like the concierge, there’s more value to living at number one than initially meets the eye.

As per one previous study from Rightmove, this number actually has the highest valuation at an average of £393,690.

It’s not such good news for number 13 though, which has the lowest average property value at £354,793 – a difference of 11%.

For superstitious reasons, number 13 has the lowest average property value of them all at £354,793 – £5,333 lower than the average across the study of £360,126.

For this reason, there are almost double the number of houses number 14 than 13 across the UK, with many streets choosing to skip the notoriously ‘unlucky’ number.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

When viewing a property for the first time, you might be focusing your attention on the interiors and looking for any glaring issues that could cost you down the line.

But as soon as you enter, you might want to focus your attention on the front door itself as one flat number is associated with a specific ‘curse.’

Have you ever lived in flat number one? If so, you might have had more visitors than you anticipated, accommodating various deliveries and lost Deliveroo drivers. Who needs a concierge when you could just press the first buzzer?

Since buying a flat after years of renting, this has been the experience of one disgruntled Redditor – who would have thought twice had they known the perils.

‘When you live in flat one of a block you effectively become the concierge,‘ yojimbo_beta penned in the r/HousingUK thread.

‘Any time a postman, Amazon driver, Deliveroo courier, canvasser etc can’t get hold of flat two, they will see your flat one doorbell and smash that button like you’re their personal helper.

‘It never occurs to them, never, to try anyone else. You are going to be buzzed several times a day, have people peek through your windows, and basically [be] asked to drop everything to solve whatever their problem is.

‘Disconnecting the buzzer helps a little but there’s still a lot of footfall, intrusion, [and] people treating you as the backup for all neighbour-related tasks. I’d definitely think twice next time.’

They weren’t alone in their experience. For @minimumof6, someone on the top floor of their building runs an Airbnb.

‘Their code for their key safe is 1999…can you guess how many guests have no idea what an intercom is and enter this code into the intercom, subsequently buzzing us?’ she wrote.

‘About six in 10 people. I’m permanently WFH so I made a note. I had to ask them to remove the one from the code.’

Meanwhile, @Original_Nothing_787 used to live on the top floor of a block of flats. After the delivery drivers realised that they worked from home and were subsequently in ‘all the time,’ they became the go-to parcel people.

‘They ended up ringing us every day instead of the flats they actually had mail for…was frustrating at least,’ they penned. ‘Never let anyone know you’re home during the day.’

@FootballBackground88 used to live in a block of flats where the road address was 88, and so everyone’s address was ‘Flat X, 88 Y Road.’ It caused such a nuisance that flat 88 ‘had a notice on the door as they were harassed so frequently.’

However, while it might be frustrating constantly being treated like the concierge, there’s more value to living at number one than initially meets the eye.

As per one previous study from Rightmove, this number actually has the highest valuation at an average of £393,690.

It’s not such good news for number 13 though, which has the lowest average property value at £354,793 – a difference of 11%.

For superstitious reasons, number 13 has the lowest average property value of them all at £354,793 – £5,333 lower than the average across the study of £360,126.

For this reason, there are almost double the number of houses number 14 than 13 across the UK, with many streets choosing to skip the notoriously ‘unlucky’ number.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

Buying (or selling) a home can be an arduous process – but what happens if you uncover a nasty secret after securing your dream property?

We’re not talking about damp, mould or subsidence here, but paranormal activity. And while many might not believe in ghosts, Reddit is inundated with posts from new homeowners who have accidentally moved into a haunted house.

The fiancé of one first-time buyer had a number of spooky experiences while renovating their home a few doors down from a graveyard. They were never warned about any unsettled spirits by the previous owners.

‘He was coming up the basement stairs three months ago and felt a strong presence behind him. He went to go book it up the stairs and the lights shut off on him,’ @winteralexandria’s post in the r/Paranormal subreddit reads.

‘He turns around while at the top of the steps and from the lights in another room of the basement he saw two shadow figures at the bottom of the steps peeking around the corner.’

Elsewhere, the fridge would often be ‘open and dinging’ whenever he arrived at the house – and a 6ft ladder was moved from one room to the other.

‘He was in the basement and clear as day heard someone walking upstairs, heavy footsteps. He went up and the house is empty,’ the post added.

Meanwhile, @Litalonely rented a house that was so spooky they couldn’t use the entire third floor, which was comprised of three bedrooms, two living rooms, and a bathroom.

‘Whatever is in my home is ruining our lives and I have smudged it many times. It worked once a few months ago, and now whatever it is, [it] doesn’t care how long I smudge and chant for,’ they wrote.

‘Four hours of drowning the place in sage and cedar while commanding it to leave did not work.

‘When my partner has stayed up there, things get bad with him. Whatever it is, [it] steps in and basically possesses him. It happened to my brother as well when he lived here.’

And last week, Adele was accused of jeopardising the sale of a £6,000,000 mansion she lived in back in 2012 for publicly alluding to it being haunted.

The current owners of the Grade II-listed Lock House in Partridge Green, West Sussex have now submitted a planning permission request to convert the 10-bedroom property into three residential units.

As per reports from the BBC, they remarked that Adele’s comments during an interview had impeded the selling process, as well as ‘future marketing efforts.’

Do you have a right to know if your new home is haunted?

So, with all this in mind, do homeowners legally have to disclose a property being haunted to buyers? In short, no – unless the new buyers end up feeling misled and decide to take legal action.

‘When it comes to selling a potentially haunted house it’s somewhat of a grey area with regard to disclosing such information and the law does not compel you to disclose if a property is haunted, unlike a physical issue such as a structural default,’ CEO of Yopa, Verona Frankish, tells Metro.

‘That said, as a seller, you must also ensure you don’t lie about the history of the property if a buyer asks you a direct question, but this largely puts the ball in the buyer’s court to fully investigate the property and any potential issues it might have.’

Naturally, though, not everyone believes in ghosts – and as Verona says, it ‘really rests on whether you believe in the paranormal or not and, perhaps most importantly, the buyer.’

‘If the buyer feels they’ve been misled it could lead to a case of non-disclosure under the Misdescriptions Act of 1991, however, they would need to be able to prove in a court of law that the house is haunted,’ Verona adds.

‘Despite the fact that it is incredibly hard to prove, a property with a reputation for being haunted can go for as much as 10% to 25% below market value – that’s between £29,000 to £72,000 based on the current average UK house price.’

4 of Britain’s most haunted homes

30 East Drive in Pontefract

Number 30 East Drive in Pontefract, West Yorkshire is an unsuspecting semi-detached house — but upon entering you may discover it’s home to Europe’s most violent poltergeist.

Horror fans from all over the UK have been flocking to stay in the three-bedroom property, which has been dubbed ‘Britain’s most haunted’ home, spending just £75 per night to see if it is as haunted as the claims suggest.

The strange happenings started in 1966 when Jean and Joe Pritchard moved into the home with their two children Phillip, then 15, and Diane, then 12.

The family then claimed to have experienced years of unexplainable events such as lights being turned on and off, green foam appearing from tops and photographs being slashed.

They said the happenings got progressively more violent as family members were slapped and shoved down the stairs.

The Stag Inn, Hastings

Perhaps the oldest public house in Hastings, East Sussex, The Stag Inn dates back to the 1500s – and was connected to smugglers in the 1700s.

Ghosts are discussed matter-of-factly on the pub’s website, where they admit to a few familiar (if translucent) faces: a sea captain from Holland murdered by a local fisherman, and a horror movie-esque young girl dressed in all white.

‘The back bedroom gives you goosebumps,’ the staff add. ‘Most who have used the room have felt a presence.’

Even more weirdly, there are two old, mummified cats at the bar. They’ve been on site since the 1800s, or so the stories say, apparently used to fend off evil spirits.

Blickling Hall, Norfolk

This Aylsham, Norfolk country home is the residence of the UK’s most famous headless ghost: Anne Boleyn.

Apparently, the beheaded former wife of Henry VIII haunts to corridors of her family home (she was born on Blickling’s 5,000-acre estate) every year on the day of her execution: May 19.

Anne isn’t the only Boleyn to haunt the halls. Some have reported sightings of her father Thomas Boleyn, 1st Earl of Wiltshire’s ghost.

Littledean Hall, Gloucestershire

Noted as one of the most ‘haunted’ houses in England, Littledean Hall was built in the 5th century. Originally a Saxon hall, it was later remodelled from a church and then into a Norman hall.

That said, there are supposedly some ghostly tenants here who don’t appear to have moved out.

Perhaps the most famous apparition is that of a little boy, whose portrait still hangs on the wall.

In the 1950s, one visitor recalled a terrible night of sleep on account of the flickering lights out on the landing – where another saw the boy running across the room, only to find just his portrait upon arriving.

Meanwhile, other experiences at Littledean Hall include hearing horses’ hooves in empty stables, as well as multiple experiences of vertigo on one of the staircases where a previous owner fell, and ghostly bloodstains in front of the fireplace.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

Buying (or selling) a home can be an arduous process – but what happens if you uncover a nasty secret after securing your dream property?

We’re not talking about damp, mould or subsidence here, but paranormal activity. And while many might not believe in ghosts, Reddit is inundated with posts from new homeowners who have accidentally moved into a haunted house.

The fiancé of one first-time buyer had a number of spooky experiences while renovating their home a few doors down from a graveyard. They were never warned about any unsettled spirits by the previous owners.

‘He was coming up the basement stairs three months ago and felt a strong presence behind him. He went to go book it up the stairs and the lights shut off on him,’ @winteralexandria’s post in the r/Paranormal subreddit reads.

‘He turns around while at the top of the steps and from the lights in another room of the basement he saw two shadow figures at the bottom of the steps peeking around the corner.’

Elsewhere, the fridge would often be ‘open and dinging’ whenever he arrived at the house – and a 6ft ladder was moved from one room to the other.

‘He was in the basement and clear as day heard someone walking upstairs, heavy footsteps. He went up and the house is empty,’ the post added.

Meanwhile, @Litalonely rented a house that was so spooky they couldn’t use the entire third floor, which was comprised of three bedrooms, two living rooms, and a bathroom.

‘Whatever is in my home is ruining our lives and I have smudged it many times. It worked once a few months ago, and now whatever it is, [it] doesn’t care how long I smudge and chant for,’ they wrote.

‘Four hours of drowning the place in sage and cedar while commanding it to leave did not work.

‘When my partner has stayed up there, things get bad with him. Whatever it is, [it] steps in and basically possesses him. It happened to my brother as well when he lived here.’

And last week, Adele was accused of jeopardising the sale of a £6,000,000 mansion she lived in back in 2012 for publicly alluding to it being haunted.

The current owners of the Grade II-listed Lock House in Partridge Green, West Sussex have now submitted a planning permission request to convert the 10-bedroom property into three residential units.

As per reports from the BBC, they remarked that Adele’s comments during an interview had impeded the selling process, as well as ‘future marketing efforts.’

Do you have a right to know if your new home is haunted?

So, with all this in mind, do homeowners legally have to disclose a property being haunted to buyers? In short, no – unless the new buyers end up feeling misled and decide to take legal action.

‘When it comes to selling a potentially haunted house it’s somewhat of a grey area with regard to disclosing such information and the law does not compel you to disclose if a property is haunted, unlike a physical issue such as a structural default,’ CEO of Yopa, Verona Frankish, tells Metro.

‘That said, as a seller, you must also ensure you don’t lie about the history of the property if a buyer asks you a direct question, but this largely puts the ball in the buyer’s court to fully investigate the property and any potential issues it might have.’

Naturally, though, not everyone believes in ghosts – and as Verona says, it ‘really rests on whether you believe in the paranormal or not and, perhaps most importantly, the buyer.’

‘If the buyer feels they’ve been misled it could lead to a case of non-disclosure under the Misdescriptions Act of 1991, however, they would need to be able to prove in a court of law that the house is haunted,’ Verona adds.

‘Despite the fact that it is incredibly hard to prove, a property with a reputation for being haunted can go for as much as 10% to 25% below market value – that’s between £29,000 to £72,000 based on the current average UK house price.’

4 of Britain’s most haunted homes

30 East Drive in Pontefract

Number 30 East Drive in Pontefract, West Yorkshire is an unsuspecting semi-detached house — but upon entering you may discover it’s home to Europe’s most violent poltergeist.

Horror fans from all over the UK have been flocking to stay in the three-bedroom property, which has been dubbed ‘Britain’s most haunted’ home, spending just £75 per night to see if it is as haunted as the claims suggest.

The strange happenings started in 1966 when Jean and Joe Pritchard moved into the home with their two children Phillip, then 15, and Diane, then 12.

The family then claimed to have experienced years of unexplainable events such as lights being turned on and off, green foam appearing from tops and photographs being slashed.

They said the happenings got progressively more violent as family members were slapped and shoved down the stairs.

The Stag Inn, Hastings

Perhaps the oldest public house in Hastings, East Sussex, The Stag Inn dates back to the 1500s – and was connected to smugglers in the 1700s.

Ghosts are discussed matter-of-factly on the pub’s website, where they admit to a few familiar (if translucent) faces: a sea captain from Holland murdered by a local fisherman, and a horror movie-esque young girl dressed in all white.

‘The back bedroom gives you goosebumps,’ the staff add. ‘Most who have used the room have felt a presence.’

Even more weirdly, there are two old, mummified cats at the bar. They’ve been on site since the 1800s, or so the stories say, apparently used to fend off evil spirits.

Blickling Hall, Norfolk

This Aylsham, Norfolk country home is the residence of the UK’s most famous headless ghost: Anne Boleyn.

Apparently, the beheaded former wife of Henry VIII haunts to corridors of her family home (she was born on Blickling’s 5,000-acre estate) every year on the day of her execution: May 19.

Anne isn’t the only Boleyn to haunt the halls. Some have reported sightings of her father Thomas Boleyn, 1st Earl of Wiltshire’s ghost.

Littledean Hall, Gloucestershire

Noted as one of the most ‘haunted’ houses in England, Littledean Hall was built in the 5th century. Originally a Saxon hall, it was later remodelled from a church and then into a Norman hall.

That said, there are supposedly some ghostly tenants here who don’t appear to have moved out.

Perhaps the most famous apparition is that of a little boy, whose portrait still hangs on the wall.

In the 1950s, one visitor recalled a terrible night of sleep on account of the flickering lights out on the landing – where another saw the boy running across the room, only to find just his portrait upon arriving.

Meanwhile, other experiences at Littledean Hall include hearing horses’ hooves in empty stables, as well as multiple experiences of vertigo on one of the staircases where a previous owner fell, and ghostly bloodstains in front of the fireplace.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

First, it’s a coffee shop, and then it’s a miniature craft ale brewery. Once you see these little signs, you might conclude that the bang average London area you call home is now officially ‘on the up.’

It’s something of a double-edged sword, as gentrification can unfairly price locals out or lead to homogenous property developments and high streets.

On the other hand, spotting these neighbourhoods early allows cash-strapped househunters to find somewhere affordable, while an influx of interest can boost the local economy.

Whichever side you’re on, it makes sense to stay ahead of the curve. So where can we expect to see the next Hackney or Brixton-level transformation?

On an impassioned Reddit threat about gentrification in the capital, some claimed Tottenham as the latest target of ‘the Gail’s and Ole + Steen crowd’, while others name-checked Woolwich, Thamesmead, Forest Gate and East Ham.

To find out more, Metro chatted to property expert Sue Iluc, founder of Courtyard Holiday Apartments and self-described ‘designer holiday let lady’, about the areas in the capital she thinks are heading this way in 2025.

Woolwich

Average house price: £407,866

As soon as it was announced that the Elizabeth Line would be coming to Woolwich, countless new crowds started to reconsider this often written off suburb of South East London.

Its distance from the city centre might’ve put people off – being more than 5 miles east of central London – but now, it’s just 25 minutes to Paddington and half an hour to Tottenham Court Road. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.

There’s bags of culture in Woolwich – and it’s the natural home of Arsenal fans, being the founding location of the football club (as followers of north London rival, Tottenham Hotspur, love to point out) with its namesake coming from the Royal Arsenal, an armaments factory.

It’s not just sporting history though, as there are plenty of local coffee shops to enjoy both a community vibe and a tasty cuppa, including House of Denna, Chealsons Coffee and Busy Brewing.

Plus, there are stunning views of the River Thames – from a point further down the stream which you might not be so used to.

‘Crossrail has made getting into the city so much quicker, which has brought more attention to the area,’ Sue tells Metro.

‘But there’s more to Woolwich than convenience — there’s been serious investment in the town centre, creating a livelier, more connected community.

‘You’ll find everything from riverside apartments to charming period homes, offering something for everyone.’

Croydon

Average house price: £392,333

Characterised by bright green trams, Boxpark and a massive Ikea, in January 2024, Croydon was crowned the most affordable location for househunters in London, with research from Zoopla indicating that you can get on the ladder for as little as £76,000 in a shared-ownership home.

And so, it’s little surprise that it’s looking like one to watch in the London property world.

Data from Rightmove reveals that, over the last year, the average selling price for properties in Croydon was £392,333 – considerably cheaper than the typical London house, which now rests at a whopping £686,817.

Along these lines, it seems Croydon is beloved by many for being well-connected to central London, as well as its cultural hotspots including Surrey Street Market and Matthew’s Yard.

There’s no shortage of green space either, offering up Wandle Park, Lloyd Park and Addington Hills.

‘It’s shedding its old image as just a commuter hub, with tech start-ups and creative businesses breathing new life into the area,’ Sue explains. ‘On top of that, there are big plans to overhaul the town centre, making it more attractive to people looking for a mix of affordability and city access.’

Barking and Dagenham

Average property price: £387,184

In the middle of the 19th century, Barking was actually Britain’s most important fishing port. And in 2021, the nation’s biggest wholesale fish market, Billingsgate, was confirmed to be moving in alongside New Smithfields and Spitalfields.

Arguably, the relocation of these iconic markets has spearheaded a total transformation of the area, alongside the addition of a new community at Barking Riverside, the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers pier, and the opening of a new Overground station in 2022.

Barking’s pre-existing connectivity is also excellent, with District and Hammersmith & City lines, c2c and Overground services, and Cycle Superhighway 3.

‘With lower property prices and a wave of regeneration linked to the Thames Estuary projects, it’s drawing attention from first-time buyers and investors alike,’ Sue says.

‘Transport links are improving, and the area’s focus on community-driven initiatives makes it a compelling option for renters as well.’

This article was first published on January 13, 2025.

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Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

First, it’s a coffee shop, and then it’s a miniature craft ale brewery. Once you see these little signs, you might conclude that the bang average London area you call home is now officially ‘on the up.’

It’s something of a double-edged sword, as gentrification can unfairly price locals out or lead to homogenous property developments and high streets.

On the other hand, spotting these neighbourhoods early allows cash-strapped househunters to find somewhere affordable, while an influx of interest can boost the local economy.

Whichever side you’re on, it makes sense to stay ahead of the curve. So where can we expect to see the next Hackney or Brixton-level transformation?

On an impassioned Reddit threat about gentrification in the capital, some claimed Tottenham as the latest target of ‘the Gail’s and Ole + Steen crowd’, while others name-checked Woolwich, Thamesmead, Forest Gate and East Ham.

To find out more, Metro chatted to property expert Sue Iluc, founder of Courtyard Holiday Apartments and self-described ‘designer holiday let lady’, about the areas in the capital she thinks are heading this way in 2025.

Woolwich

Average house price: £407,866

As soon as it was announced that the Elizabeth Line would be coming to Woolwich, countless new crowds started to reconsider this often written off suburb of South East London.

Its distance from the city centre might’ve put people off – being more than 5 miles east of central London – but now, it’s just 25 minutes to Paddington and half an hour to Tottenham Court Road. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.

There’s bags of culture in Woolwich – and it’s the natural home of Arsenal fans, being the founding location of the football club (as followers of north London rival, Tottenham Hotspur, love to point out) with its namesake coming from the Royal Arsenal, an armaments factory.

It’s not just sporting history though, as there are plenty of local coffee shops to enjoy both a community vibe and a tasty cuppa, including House of Denna, Chealsons Coffee and Busy Brewing.

Plus, there are stunning views of the River Thames – from a point further down the stream which you might not be so used to.

‘Crossrail has made getting into the city so much quicker, which has brought more attention to the area,’ Sue tells Metro.

‘But there’s more to Woolwich than convenience — there’s been serious investment in the town centre, creating a livelier, more connected community.

‘You’ll find everything from riverside apartments to charming period homes, offering something for everyone.’

Croydon

Average house price: £392,333

Characterised by bright green trams, Boxpark and a massive Ikea, in January 2024, Croydon was crowned the most affordable location for househunters in London, with research from Zoopla indicating that you can get on the ladder for as little as £76,000 in a shared-ownership home.

And so, it’s little surprise that it’s looking like one to watch in the London property world.

Data from Rightmove reveals that, over the last year, the average selling price for properties in Croydon was £392,333 – considerably cheaper than the typical London house, which now rests at a whopping £686,817.

Along these lines, it seems Croydon is beloved by many for being well-connected to central London, as well as its cultural hotspots including Surrey Street Market and Matthew’s Yard.

There’s no shortage of green space either, offering up Wandle Park, Lloyd Park and Addington Hills.

‘It’s shedding its old image as just a commuter hub, with tech start-ups and creative businesses breathing new life into the area,’ Sue explains. ‘On top of that, there are big plans to overhaul the town centre, making it more attractive to people looking for a mix of affordability and city access.’

Barking and Dagenham

Average property price: £387,184

In the middle of the 19th century, Barking was actually Britain’s most important fishing port. And in 2021, the nation’s biggest wholesale fish market, Billingsgate, was confirmed to be moving in alongside New Smithfields and Spitalfields.

Arguably, the relocation of these iconic markets has spearheaded a total transformation of the area, alongside the addition of a new community at Barking Riverside, the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers pier, and the opening of a new Overground station in 2022.

Barking’s pre-existing connectivity is also excellent, with District and Hammersmith & City lines, c2c and Overground services, and Cycle Superhighway 3.

‘With lower property prices and a wave of regeneration linked to the Thames Estuary projects, it’s drawing attention from first-time buyers and investors alike,’ Sue says.

‘Transport links are improving, and the area’s focus on community-driven initiatives makes it a compelling option for renters as well.’

This article was first published on January 13, 2025.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

Welcome back to What I Own – Metro’s property series where we speak to homeowners about getting on the ladder.

This week, we’re in Battersea visiting 33-year-old Elliot Gleghorn, who bought a two-bedroom flat in Nine Elms.

Prior to moving into his new home, Elliot rented nearby and was able to save through the London Living Rent (LLR) scheme.

Funded by the Mayor of London, the policy enables tenants to boost their savings by paying a reduced rate for their rented homes, eventually giving them the opportunity to buy their rental property – or a different home – through shared ownership.

Now, Elliot lives right next to the vibrant Battersea Power Station with its shops and restuarants, and even has the Nine Elms Sainsbury’s Superstore (so beloved it’s gained a niche online fan club) right on his doorstep.

Here’s what Elliot had to say about his property journey…

Tell us about yourself!

I’m a 33-year-old chartered surveyor and I’m originally from Hertfordshire. I moved to London mainly for work, but it’s always been somewhere I wanted to live and own a property. I believe that shared ownership was the only way I could achieve this.

Whereabouts is your property? What do you think of the area?

I’ve been lucky enough to purchase a brand-new apartment close to my previous London Living Rent apartment in Nine Elms, and my monthly payments are actually lower now with shared ownership than they were renting.

How did you save up for your deposit?

I previously lived in an apartment rented out by housing association and developer L&Q Homes, who offer tenants the option to take part in the London Living Rent scheme. There, I was paying £1,540 per month, of which £350 was allocated towards a deposit.

It allowed me to live in a great location, in a high-quality home, while saving up each month. It gave me the lifestyle I wanted, but still left room for my long-term goal of homeownership. Without it, I would’ve likely had to flat share, which wouldn’t have been ideal.

It gave me the independence and flexibility I needed to start saving for a home of my own. I started looking after two years of saving through London Living Rent. Paired with some inheritance, I was able to use my savings to secure a two-bedroom apartment just down the road.

When did you move in?

October 2024.

How much does your property cost?

The full market value is £820,000. I own 25% through shared ownership, which equates to £205,000.

How much was your deposit?

£110,000.

What is the monthly cost of living here now; both mortgage and bills?

Around £1,500 per month (including mortgage, shared ownership rent, service charge and bills).

What was the process of getting a mortgage like for you? Did you find any parts challenging?

Very straightforward, but I would highlight that the key is working with an experienced mortgage advisor who has good knowledge of how affordable and shared ownership products work, and has good relationships with the high street banks.

This makes it much more efficient to find and secure the best rate, and most appropriate lender for your circumstances.

Can you share details on your mortgage (rate/term)?

I’m on a three-year fixed no-fee purchase. I was given a loan of £95,000 for a duration of 40 years.

What made you want to buy rather than rent?

Recent large rent hikes and increases in the cost of living have made renting in London very difficult.

I concluded that if I wanted to continue to enjoy working and living in London, a shared ownership purchase was the only viable option that allowed me to build equity in my own property. Renting through London Living Rent helped me to save.

How did you find this property? What made you choose it?

I did my research – I looked into the available shared ownership schemes in Wandsworth (the London borough I worked in). I also registered on the affordable housing government website to receive updates from relevant housing associations.

I chose this development as it is one of the tallest and most impressive newbuild developments in London, with views over the River Thames. It’s a modern high-quality build, has great amenities, and fantastic transport links nearby.

How have you made the property feel like home? What’s the inspiration for your interior decor style?

Fortunately, I moved from a self-furnished one-bedroom flat nearby, so I was already very familiar with the area and it was quite straightforward to move everything over to the new apartment, which made the transition really easy.

Do you feel like you have enough space?

I have a two-bedroom flat as a single occupant, which means I can utilise the second bedroom as an office, and implement good storage solutions to make the place feel much less cluttered.

Storage space is normally a problem in apartments, particularly in London, so with the benefit of the second bedroom, the property feels surprisingly spacious.  

Do you have plans to change the property?

Nothing other than a few more minor decorations.

Are there any problems with the property that you have to deal with?

There have been some snagging issues to do with the heating system, but this was all dealt with by the developers and is to be expected with new build properties.

What do you want people to know about buying a home?

Please do your research, get good advice from experienced property experts and only make the big commitment to purchase a shared ownership property, once you have understood the costs and benefits, because like everything in life, there are always both!

What are your plans for the future, in terms of housing? Do you plan to stay here long-term?

In the long term, my preference is to staircase and build my equity in the property.

My aim is to be in the property for a minimum of three years before considering my next steps. For the moment it suits all my requirements perfectly.

Shall we take a look around?

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

Welcome back to What I Own – Metro’s property series where we speak to homeowners about getting on the ladder.

This week, we’re in Battersea visiting 33-year-old Elliot Gleghorn, who bought a two-bedroom flat in Nine Elms.

Prior to moving into his new home, Elliot rented nearby and was able to save through the London Living Rent (LLR) scheme.

Funded by the Mayor of London, the policy enables tenants to boost their savings by paying a reduced rate for their rented homes, eventually giving them the opportunity to buy their rental property – or a different home – through shared ownership.

Now, Elliot lives right next to the vibrant Battersea Power Station with its shops and restuarants, and even has the Nine Elms Sainsbury’s Superstore (so beloved it’s gained a niche online fan club) right on his doorstep.

Here’s what Elliot had to say about his property journey…

Tell us about yourself!

I’m a 33-year-old chartered surveyor and I’m originally from Hertfordshire. I moved to London mainly for work, but it’s always been somewhere I wanted to live and own a property. I believe that shared ownership was the only way I could achieve this.

Whereabouts is your property? What do you think of the area?

I’ve been lucky enough to purchase a brand-new apartment close to my previous London Living Rent apartment in Nine Elms, and my monthly payments are actually lower now with shared ownership than they were renting.

How did you save up for your deposit?

I previously lived in an apartment rented out by housing association and developer L&Q Homes, who offer tenants the option to take part in the London Living Rent scheme. There, I was paying £1,540 per month, of which £350 was allocated towards a deposit.

It allowed me to live in a great location, in a high-quality home, while saving up each month. It gave me the lifestyle I wanted, but still left room for my long-term goal of homeownership. Without it, I would’ve likely had to flat share, which wouldn’t have been ideal.

It gave me the independence and flexibility I needed to start saving for a home of my own. I started looking after two years of saving through London Living Rent. Paired with some inheritance, I was able to use my savings to secure a two-bedroom apartment just down the road.

When did you move in?

October 2024.

How much does your property cost?

The full market value is £820,000. I own 25% through shared ownership, which equates to £205,000.

How much was your deposit?

£110,000.

What is the monthly cost of living here now; both mortgage and bills?

Around £1,500 per month (including mortgage, shared ownership rent, service charge and bills).

What was the process of getting a mortgage like for you? Did you find any parts challenging?

Very straightforward, but I would highlight that the key is working with an experienced mortgage advisor who has good knowledge of how affordable and shared ownership products work, and has good relationships with the high street banks.

This makes it much more efficient to find and secure the best rate, and most appropriate lender for your circumstances.

Can you share details on your mortgage (rate/term)?

I’m on a three-year fixed no-fee purchase. I was given a loan of £95,000 for a duration of 40 years.

What made you want to buy rather than rent?

Recent large rent hikes and increases in the cost of living have made renting in London very difficult.

I concluded that if I wanted to continue to enjoy working and living in London, a shared ownership purchase was the only viable option that allowed me to build equity in my own property. Renting through London Living Rent helped me to save.

How did you find this property? What made you choose it?

I did my research – I looked into the available shared ownership schemes in Wandsworth (the London borough I worked in). I also registered on the affordable housing government website to receive updates from relevant housing associations.

I chose this development as it is one of the tallest and most impressive newbuild developments in London, with views over the River Thames. It’s a modern high-quality build, has great amenities, and fantastic transport links nearby.

How have you made the property feel like home? What’s the inspiration for your interior decor style?

Fortunately, I moved from a self-furnished one-bedroom flat nearby, so I was already very familiar with the area and it was quite straightforward to move everything over to the new apartment, which made the transition really easy.

Do you feel like you have enough space?

I have a two-bedroom flat as a single occupant, which means I can utilise the second bedroom as an office, and implement good storage solutions to make the place feel much less cluttered.

Storage space is normally a problem in apartments, particularly in London, so with the benefit of the second bedroom, the property feels surprisingly spacious.  

Do you have plans to change the property?

Nothing other than a few more minor decorations.

Are there any problems with the property that you have to deal with?

There have been some snagging issues to do with the heating system, but this was all dealt with by the developers and is to be expected with new build properties.

What do you want people to know about buying a home?

Please do your research, get good advice from experienced property experts and only make the big commitment to purchase a shared ownership property, once you have understood the costs and benefits, because like everything in life, there are always both!

What are your plans for the future, in terms of housing? Do you plan to stay here long-term?

In the long term, my preference is to staircase and build my equity in the property.

My aim is to be in the property for a minimum of three years before considering my next steps. For the moment it suits all my requirements perfectly.

Shall we take a look around?

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

Flanked by rolling mountains and lush green forest, Fontana Lake is an introvert’s paradise where the only distractions are chirping birds and waves lapping against the reservoir edge.

It was total isolation that drew Sarah and Brandon Jones to create their dream life here in the depths of North Carolina, in a tiny home in the middle of the lake bordered by Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The Joneses renovated their slant-roofed slice of paradise over the course of two months, gutting the ‘dilapidated boathouse’ and transforming the interior with new floors and windows, and solar panels for light and heat.

The boathouse floats on a platform for most of the year, until the chill of winter creeps in and forces the couple to tow their home to more a suitable position in a sheltered cove.

But their semi-nomadic life isn’t without challenges.

‘As the lake drops, the water literally starts draining from the cove so we have to move out to avoid running aground,’ Sarah (@keepingafloatwiththejoneses) explained in a recent TikTok video.

For safety and stability, they’ve anchored the house at four corners, and use a pulley system involving four ropes to haul themselves to protected positions around the lake.

The couple have a boat that carries them to and from shore – a 1996 MasterCraft Prostar 205 they bought in a barn the summer they first met and fell in love in southern Alabama.

It may come as a surprise, but they aren’t remote workers; they still go to their offices, using their beloved boat to reach their car at the marina’s parking area each morning.

The Joneses’ TikTok fans were puzzled about the boat’s plumbing system. But fear not, the house has a holding tank that’s pumped weekly via a mobile pump boat – batting off concerns that their waste went straight into the lake.

The self-sufficient property is energy self-sufficient, powered entirely by solar panels, but its attached to the mains for water supply.

The Joneses might love their isolated existence, but the same can’t be said for the postman – he’s not willing to paddle across, so they rely on a PO box.

The couple pay an annual mooring fee of $2,800 (£2,210.85), which they describe as their rent – a cost they feel is ‘pretty cheap.’

‘We don’t pay real estate taxes in the same way that anybody that is renting property wouldn’t. We do not own any land and we don’t own the water, we just own our house so we pay taxes like you would on a boat or car,’ Sarah explained.

So, would Sarah and Brandon ever want to live anywhere else? For now, they say no.

They love the easy access to water sports such as wakeboarding, kayaking and paddleboarding, as well as fishing, which they consider a huge part of their lifestyle.

‘It just feels like a dream come true having all those things so easily accessible right from our front door,’ Sarah recently shared.

Likewise, the pair love the ambience that a water-based existence affords them, noting that a considerable number of studies show that ‘just looking at a body of water can be physiologically soothing and good for your mental health.’

‘Man do I feel that! Living here has been an absolute gift to our nervous systems,’ Sarah added.

Financial motivation is also keeping the couple where they are, at least for now. When they first started researching similar types of beachfront houses, they assumed they were a ‘luxury for the wealthy elite’ – but found the opposite to be true.

‘These are way cheaper than similarly sized and aged houses on land in the same area. Our house cost us as much as a trailer on a small piece of land would,’ Sarah explained.

‘Our monthly expenses are down almost 70% from when we lived on land. We’re able to put most of our paychecks into savings now, which is an amazing feeling.’

This article was first published on November 28, 2024.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.