New homes in London's Zone 1 on a Zone 2 budget
Our exclusive research shows a "price wall" formed by the Northern line, with property values to the east less than half those in the west. We reveal the emerging lower-value districts in Zone 1 for buyers on a Zone 2 budget.
Embassy exodus returns acres of central London to its residents
As the embassies exit Mayfair and Marylebone, their former bases will free up stunning family homes. While the move of many embassies to Nine Elms at Vauxhall is creating a new residential quarter including thousands of new apartments.
Oxford spotlight
The small city of Oxford is famous for its university and honeyed stone architecture, but its huge range of property - from affordable new homes to luxurious Victorian houses - and one hour commute to London, are big attractions to home buyers.
Brighton spotlight
The East Sussex city of Brighton and Hove offers its residents the best of both worlds: a relaxed life at one end of the line within an hour's commute of London, and a good mix of Regency terrace houses, seafront apartments and family homes.
Jasper Conran: my design London
Jasper Conran, designer and CEO of The Conran Shop, is a champion of cutting-edge British design. Here he reveals his favourite London-based designers, interiors pieces and fabric shops - and shares his top tips for transforming a room.
Find a rated tradesman
Want to add value to your property, make your house a home, or sell your place fast? With 1,000s of tradesmen nationwide, rated and recommended by previous customers, this is the smart way to find a reputable tradesman.
Buy of the week: Putney Hill, SW15
This glossy new apartment just off Putney Hill has two bedrooms and two bathrooms, plus a bright open-plan reception space with floor-to-ceiling windows and spectacular skyline views.
Out of town: Wigginton, Oxfordshire
This three-bedroom Grade II-listed thatch in the pretty village of Wigginton, near Banbury, is a tempting package of beams, wood burners and cottage gardens.
Life-changer: Tiverton, Devon
A five-bedroom house set in a valley at Cheriton Fitzpaine, Tiverton, surrounded by farmland and sweeping gardens, with B&B potential and a garage block ripe for conversion.
East Grinstead spotlight
East Grinstead in West Sussex is 30 miles south of the capital in the High Weald. The town's exclusive gated estates attract celebrity home buyers such as Tom Cruise, while London families are drawn to the area's good mix of period homes and modern flats.-
Buy of the week: Putney Hill, SW15
This glossy new apartment just off Putney Hill has two bedrooms and two bathrooms, plus a bright open-plan reception space with floor-to-ceiling windows and spectacular skyline views. -
Out of town: Wigginton, Oxfordshire
This three-bedroom Grade II-listed thatch in the pretty village of Wigginton, near Banbury, is a tempting package of beams, wood burners and cottage gardens. -
Life-changer: Tiverton, Devon
A five-bedroom house set in a valley at Cheriton Fitzpaine, Tiverton, surrounded by farmland and sweeping gardens, with B&B potential and a garage block ripe for conversion.
Property search
How to get cheaper foreign cash
By Lucy Tobin
If you are aiming to go on a summer holiday shopping spree this year to snap up homeware bargains on the Continent, this is what to do - and not to do:DON’T buy currency from the most expensive provider: that could add hundreds to the total cost of your break. One of the upshots of the Eurozone economic crisis is that the pound is working in the favour of British tourists. A year ago £1,000 bought €1115, while today it will buy about €100 more.
DON’T buy the cash at the airport, Eurostar terminal, or port: it will almost always result in eye-watering rates and charges too as you’re a captured market.
Instead, there are four options for overseas currency:
1. DO buy before departure on the High Street: Marks & Spencer and the Post Office are amongst those who change money without charging commission, but remember to compare rates. Usually, you’ll be able to get a better deal by…
2. DO buy cash online: These money suppliers tend to offer rates of between one and 10 per cent cheaper than on the high street, but you’ll need to plan ahead as delivery takes time. Compare rates and charges at travelmoneymax.com. Remember to add on the cost of delivery, unless you go for a provider which has branches where you can pick up the cash for free.
3. DO take a fee-free bank card: anyone worried about carrying a wad of cash overseas (although you will need it for those market purchases and local restaurants) may want to opt to pay with a card. Either go for a fee-free piece of plastic - Metro Bank’s current account card and the Halifax Clarity card do not charge for overseas ATM transactions or purchases. Nationwide’s Select credit card also offers commission-free purchases abroad.
4. DO look into pre-payment cards: these are on offer from providers including Travelex, Caxton FX, and the Post Office. They work like credit cards, but users pay to load them with money ahead of time. Be careful of fees: some charge as much as £2.50 for withdrawing cash – but CaxtonFX imposes no ATM charges or purchase charges.
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New homes awards 2013
Judged by a panel of Evening Standard readers and presented by comedian Vic Reeves, this year’s new homes awards winners have everything that buyers want — inventive design, wow-factor interiors, eco-friendly features, glamour — and great value.
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London's top property growth areas
Wise homebuyers can get ahead of the curve by buying in London's potential growth areas, thanks to new transport links, regeneration projects and the arrival of iconic new buildings such as the Shard.
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New Homes Awards 2013: the winners
This year's London Evening Standard New Homes Awards, hosted by comedian Vic Reeves and England rugby captain Chris Robshaw, praised thoughtful design and spacious interiors at a range of new homes developments.
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New homes in London's Zone 1 on a Zone 2 budget
Our exclusive research shows a "price wall" formed by the Northern line, with property values to the east less than half those in the west. We reveal the emerging lower-value districts in Zone 1 for buyers on a Zone 2 budget.
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Hot homes: Clerkenwell
We take a property tour along the cobbled streets of Clerkenwell - where loft living began - to discover lateral apartments within dramatic warehouse conversions, charming Georgian town houses and walk-to-work City crashpads.
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Property search: budget under £450,000
This week we uncover a two-bedroom apartment in Putney Hill with spectacular views, a three-bedroom thatch cottage in the pretty village of Wigginton and a five-bedroom house with 3,000 sq ft of land.
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Diary of an estate agent
A Fulham lettings agent gives herself a week off the gym after climbing up and down stairs to and from top-floor flats all day - and has an awkward encounter with a half-naked client during a property viewing.
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Homes gossip: rent a home in Crosby Row in Borough
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Homes gossip: James Dyson is searching for farmland in Oxfordshire
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Homes gossip
Live moments away from Nelson's Column in one of Liz Hurley's favourite spots; James Dyson is looking for more farmland; Marc Anthony has bought a Californian home; and the chance to rent in Crosby Row.
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