'Good choice of affordable houses'

Richmond appeals to single people, too. Debra Glenaway is making the move from Belsize Park to Richmond because she wants a house rather than a flat.

"Houses in Belsize Park tend to be very large and very expensive, but in Richmond there is a good choice of smaller, more affordable houses in a variety of styles," Debra says.

She made an offer on the first house she saw and hopes to move this month. "It is a pretty two-bedroom Victorian cottage with a small garden in the area known as "Alberts", close to the station. It has a downstairs bathroom, which some buyers don't like, but it doesn't bother me."

The excellent transport links were also an influence. Debra works for a large firm of accountants in Canary Wharf, so she can either travel to work via the District and Jubilee lines or take the train to Waterloo. She also expects to use the North London line when she visits friends in north-west London.

Debra plans to update her house with a new bathroom, kitchen and utility room. Fortunately, her sister lives nearby and she will be able to stay with her while the builders are in.