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Balham and Clapham South

Balham and Clapham South are both areas surrounded by green space – and with three beautiful commons, tree-lined leafy streets and buckets of fresh air, who wouldn’t want to live there? Balham has a bustling, vibrant feel with great shopping facilities and a lively nightlife. Clapham South has a more laid-back pace with a village feel and is ideal for those who enjoy peaceful walks. As local estate agents, Balham and Clapham South are both areas we recommend in terms of affordable housing and fast and frequent transport links to the City.

Where are Balham and Clapham South?

Balham is a district of South West London situated within the London Borough of Wandsworth. Clapham South is also based in Wandsworth, although some parts of Clapham do overlap with the London Borough of Lambeth.

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Transport info

Balham tube station:
On the Northern Line into London (20 minutes to Leicester Square)
Balham Railway Station:
Serivces to Clapham Junction and Gatwick
Regular buses:
Towards Brixton and Elephant & Castle

Best local finds

Best pub:
The Bedford
Best restaurant:
Harrison`s
Best Coffee Shop:
The Black Lab Coffee House
Best Park:
Clapham Common
I have just sold my wonderful flat with Fish Need Water. I have been extremely grateful for the help and support from this small agency. I was previously under the assumption that estate agents were all the same only their commission varying. However I was wrong. This is a great company which is why I am taking the time to write this review. My flat had been on the market with a large agent and it wasn't selling. James who runs Fish Need Water, had made contact via mail shot and I wasn't sure how he would compare to the bigger agents, however my flat hadn't sold and I was willing to try someone different! I can honestly say James is an outstanding salesman who breaks the typical estate agent mould and really takes care of his clients. My flat had been recently redecorated but it was fairly empty and void of furnishings. This could have been the reason why it hadn't previously enticed a buyer. When my contract term with the big agent was nearly over, I met with James who immediately pointed out the flat was bare and soulless. I appreciated his honesty and once we had agreed to work together, he suggested I cancel the contract with the other agent, remove it from Rightmove and wait a few weeks. James is a Rightmove genius and an expert in marketing. I added many soft furnishings, pictures, luxury soaps, flowers, wine and books - all following James's advice, and my flat was transformed. James worked closely with the photographer and the photos turned out incredibly well and very arty, a different league to that of the previous agent. In fact James spent the afternoon moving and repositioning items to make the photos work. He even moved all the bins from the front of the house so the street shot looked neat and welcoming. I was impressed with his enthusiasm and attention to detail. Once my flat was up again on Rightmove it soon had an offer. All the preparation work had paid off. Through the whole process I only dealt with James and his legal assistant who both worked really hard to smooth out the legal bumps and usual stresses which often occur when selling in a chain. Working with such a small team meant I never got forgotten as I was only dealing directly with James. There were no mixed messages or missed information which can happen when you work with a sales team of two or three. I would certainly use Fish Need Water again and I have already recommended this company to two of my friends. Thank you James for everything, you are a master of your craft. Rachel Russell
Excellent service and communication throughout the process. James and Susie kept us in the loop at all times and were always there with any questions or concerns we had, I would recommend to others. Paul Ruskin
James Hall and Jack Barber both worked with me to sell my 1 bedroom flat and I\'m so glad they did! From the minute I met James I could tell he was passionate about property and actually cared about your sale. On the day of taking the marketing photos, James came over an hour beforehand to style my property and clear any clutter. So many people commented on how brilliant the photos were and how much it set my flat apart from others on the market. Jack is relatively new to the business but was also really passionate, persuasive and clearly knew his stuff. Above all his professionalism and care shone through. I\'ve already recommended them to two other people looking to sell. They sold my flat quickly in a really tough market (for London flats) and I\'m so glad I went with them. They put the big high street estate agents to shame... The sales progression team also worked hard and really put me at ease through some hairy moments as we neared exchange...big shout out to Susie for a stellar job! Ellie Smith

More about Balham...

Balham is a historic area that is mentioned as far back as the Doomsday Book. During the 19th century many large country retreats were built in the area as holiday homes for the affluent classes. The area saw increased development and settlement with the opening of Balham railway station in 1856. Once referred to as the “Gateway to the South”, Balham went through a period of decline but is now an up-and-coming area to watch.

Balham has undergone much regeneration over the past two decades and today it is a vibrant, multicultural area that continues to grow in popularity with families and young professionals alike. As estate agents, Balham is an area which in our opinion is ripe for investment potential and a great place to start your property search. There is a good mix of terraced houses and ex-Local Authority flats, as well as some beautifully restored larger period properties to be found on the leafy streets out towards Wandsworth Common. The Art Deco Du Cane Court is ever-popular, and is one of the largest private apartment blocks in Europe. Overall, properties in Balham are 10% cheaper than neighbouring districts. As a local letting agent, SW12 is an area we recommend to commuters as an ideal base due to its fast and frequent transport links and close proximity to the City.

Balham culture...

Balham town centre comprises three main streets which meet to form a central shopping hub. There are plenty of good local shops interspersed with high street chains, hotels and an organic supermarket. Balham Farmers’ Market is held every Saturday within the grounds of Chestnut Grove School and you will find fresh fruit and vegetables, meat and bread for sale. The area has a thriving cafe culture as well as many great restaurants to try, including Harrison’s – Rick Stein’s brasserie-style eatery with a posh cocktail bar. For a great night out head to The Bedford, a famous and award-winning live music and comedy venue where comedians such as Eddie Izzard and Jo Brand have performed. Although Balham nightlife might be synonymous with The Bedford, there is also a great selection of other pubs to try including The Clarence, a traditional boozer with great character and a good selection of ales.

Nestled between three commons, Balham is ideally located for those who enjoy fresh air and green space. Wandsworth Common is 175 acres and contains ecological and ornamental areas, sports pitches, tennis and bowling, a lake (fishing in season, membership required), trim trail and children's playground.

More about Clapham South SW12...

Further up the hill from Balham is Clapham South; slightly less bustling than its neighbour but still with plenty to offer. As an area, Clapham has Anglo-Saxon roots and its name is thought to mean “enclosure near a hill”. During the 17th century large country houses were built there, and throughout the 18th and 19th centuries it became popular with London’s wealthy merchants who erected grand villas and mansions around Clapham Common and in the Old Town. After the arrival of the railways, Clapham became a commuter suburb and lost favour with the upper classes.

Clapham South is an affluent, multi-cultural neighbourhood which is home to a mix of families, students and middle-class professionals. Due to its large number of restaurants, bars and leisure facilities, it has become a fashionable place to live. As estate agents, Clapham South provides us with a good mix of properties to offer buyers, ranging from period properties and converted Victorian housing to ex-Local Authority flats and apartments. As a local letting agent, SW12 is an area we recommend to City workers because of the fast and frequent transport links. In addition, the new Cycle Superhighway that runs alongside Clapham Common means a bike commute to Westminster takes less than 30 minutes.

Clapham South culture...

Clapham South has a well-equipped shopping area with local stores, coffee shops and several nearby supermarkets. Worth a try is The Black Lab Coffee House, an independent artisan coffee shop serving high-quality coffee and luxury pastries. There are some good restaurants in the area including The Rookery, a British eatery offering contemporary cuisine prepared using fresh, local produce. Nightlife in Clapham South is lively with a selection of pubs and bars and one or two music clubs. Gigalum is a popular bar opposite Clapham Common which plays dance tunes and hosts resident DJ nights. For a bigger selection of clubs you can head into nearby central Clapham.

Clapham South is located on the southern side of the famous Clapham Common with its 220-acre common containing woodland, ponds, a skateboard park, a historic bandstand and outdoor sports facilities. It is also home to two annual music festivals. Time Out calls it “an oasis of peace amid the busy traffic of South West London”, and residents agree, voting it their favourite place to go when they want to relax. As local estate agents, Clapham South is an area which allows us to offer buyers relatively affordable properties surrounded by greenery with great views – ideal for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of City life.

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