to climb on the property ladder

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SO RESI THE RISE

Contemporary city one, two and three bedroom homes, close to the revitalised Grand Union Canal, with direct tube links to central London. Perfect for young professionals and families alike

These contemporary urban one, two and three bedroom apartments are close to the revitalised Grand Union Canal at Alperton, a vibrant area of north west London with great transport links and leisure opportunities that will appeal to both young professionals and families.

The apartments at The Rise offer a high standard of accommodation throughout, including elegant large format floor tiles in the bathrooms, luxury carpet in the bedrooms and stylish engineered oak plank flooring in the kitchen, living room and hallways.

The fully fitted kitchens include a Bosch brushed steel oven, gas hob and matching brushed steel splashback, as well as an integrated fridge-freezer and dishwasher, and a high-quality Bosch washer-dryer.

In the bathrooms, the walls, floors and shower enclosure are fully tiled with fashionable large format tiles, while the sanitaryware and taps are by major brands including Kaldewei, Ideal Standard and Grohe.

Alperton is an up-and-coming area, with the Grand Union Canal being the focus of the exciting redevelopment. Dating back to the Industrial Revolution, the canal is now a huge attraction for pedestrians and cyclists, with the open spaces and waterside facilities provide a relaxing gateway to weekend walks, evening strolls and early morning bike rides.

The surrounding area has plenty to offer in terms of local shopping, including a large Sainsbury’s supermarket just a short walk away. Also within easy cycling distance or a short hop on the tube is Ealing Common, one of west London’s best-known open green spaces with 47 acres to explore.

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IN THE AREA

• Piccadilly Line services to central London (in just 33 minutes) • A short walk from the Grand Union Canal • Close to the town centre which has a wide range of amenities • Cultural landmarks include Shree Sanatan Hindu Temple, Pitzhanger Manor and Wembley Stadium • Nearby Ealing offers green space and great shopping

Alperton, North West London

FROM £70,000 (For a one bedroom apartment, based on a 25% share) Full Market Value £280,000 SO Resi monthly payment from £350 Monthly service charge from £148

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SO RESI SYDENHAM

A true best-of-both worlds pad, close to beautiful green spaces, with excellent commuter links to central London. Super-stylish two and three bedroom apartments arranged around a pretty, central courtyard

These two and three bedroom apartments at Sydenham in south east London are set around a tranquil garden area, and every apartment has its own private outdoor space in the shape of either a balcony or a patio, creating a relaxing hideaway just 15 minutes by train from London Bridge.

Inside, the full-height windows flood the open-plan living and kitchen area with light even in the winter, creating an uplifting environment throughout the day, while plenty of storage space ensures that distracting clutter will be kept to a minimum.

The kitchens have a contemporary, handleless finish with soft-close drawers, and the units come in a soothing moonlight grey finish. A Silverstone composite stone worktop with bevel edge detail completes the look. High-quality appliances are included, such as a Bosch electric oven, fully integrated dishwasher and fridge-freezer, Bosch microwave, ceramic hob and stylish Elica integrated telescopic hood. Pull-out recycling bins add a practical touch.

The bathrooms are finished throughout with grey or white tiles and aluminium trim, and feature a Roca WC and Hansgrohe mixers, while in the bedrooms, fitted wardrobes are included as standard.

Although the development at Dylon Works has superb access to public transport via Lower Sydenham station, there is also dedicated parking for every home.

The area around Sydenham has plenty to offer, with a strong community feel, quirky independent cafes and restaurants and access to plenty of green space, including Crystal Palace Park less than two miles away, or closer to home, Sydenham Wells Park and the nature reserve at Dacres Wood.

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IN THE AREA

• Green, leafy locales • Lower Sydenham rail station 200m away • Fast commute to London Bridge, Waterloo and Canary Wharf • Close to beautiful Crystal Palace and Beckenham Place parks • Great cafes, bars and restaurants Sydenham, South London

FROM £116,250 (For a one bedroom apartment, based on a 25% share) Full Market Value £465,000 SO Resi monthly payment from £639.38 Monthly service charge from £153

hot

HERTFORDSHIRE HERTFORDSHIRE HAS OBVIOUS APPEAL TO COMMUTERS, WITH EASY ACCESS TO THE CITY AND THE ADDED PERKS OF WEEKEND LIFE IN THE COUNTRY, BUT THIS HUMBLE HOME COUNTY HAS FAR MORE TO OFFER THAN MEETS THE EYE

Bordered by Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire to the north, Essex to the east, Greater London to the south and Buckinghamshire to the west, Hertfordshire is easily overlooked as simply “commuter belt”. However, this vast and varied county is hugely underrated and for no good reason – it is consistently rated in the top three places to live in the UK. From Watford to Royston, Hertfordshire is a hotbed of opportunity for first time buyers and a little digging unearths some real scorchers.

WELWYN GARDEN CITY

Located in the heart of Hertfordshire, England’s second garden city was designed with a healthy, balanced lifestyle in mind.

WHO LIVES HERE?

Welwyn Garden City has a population of over 50,000 and while it is a convenient commuter town, situated just 20 miles from King’s Cross, it is also a strong commercial base in its own right with plenty of local employment opportunities. The landmark Shredded Wheat factory site has recently had planning permission approved for redevelopment of over 1,400 units, mostly housing, which is likely to attract more first time buyers to the town.

SHOPPING LEISURE

The town’s sporting facilities are impressive; the Gosling Sports Centre is home to not only the usual gym, courts and pitches but also a golf driving range, a dry ski slope, a velodrome and a trampoline park. There are also three golf courses, numerous sports clubs and long-established Sailing and Angling clubs in the town. Campus West is a unique venue popular with families, offering a cinema alongside roller skating and soft play facilities. The Barn Theatre is also well worth a visit, with 10 full productions a year staged in a converted 17th century barn.

WARE

Having long lived in the shadow of Hertford, its nearest neighbour, this Hertfordshire town is finally

Shopping in the town has thankfully come a long way from the monopoly of the Welwyn Stores, created by the town’s original developers. The Howard Centre, named after the town’s founder, Sir Ebeneezer Howard, has a good range of high street shops and the town also boasts a John Lewis department store. Supermarkets are plentiful and easily accessed.

DRINKING AND EATING OUT

Welwyn Garden City’s pubs and restaurants can mostly be found on and around Howardsgate, the main avenue leading up to the Howard Centre. Popular restaurants include Bill’s, Côte Brasserie and Zizzi. The Doctor’s Tonic, a favourite bar with locals, offers regular live music, while Two Willows is a more traditional pub. Those after something a little more sedate may prefer to head slightly out of town to Lemsford where there are some quieter choices.

Knebworth House