Affordable, suitably near the office and in a location where I didn't feel I would likely get knifed most nights!

I didn’t buy until I was 30 and had lived in London for nearly 8yrs, so I had a more developed perspective (and a bit more money). So:

big enough to at leash start a family in

commutable to zone 1 and close to station 

but, far enough out to be out of the maelstrom

close to a high street

bought in whetstone in the end. only just sold the place in October just gone. I’d happily have moved back there but for various reasons we moved to Kent.

we are still in the house my mrs bought when she was 20; it’s awesome and it’s unlikely we will ever move 

It was within my budget and reasonably convenient for work, friends, family and hobbies.