Russell Hill, Purley, CR8

Nine Apartments In This Modern Luxury Development - But Only One With A Balcony Like This. It's only 25 minutes from Purley to Victoria on the 07:54, and you can get back home for a cold drink on your open terrace by half six. Your weekdays and weekends just got an upgrade.

There's a version of the London commuter life that wears you down - long journeys, cramped flats and no outside space. And then there's one where the commute is short, the address is leafy and the balcony is the best one in the building.

Beaufort Court, a development of just nine modern apartments built in a sympathetic style to sit comfortably amongst the traditional bay fronted semis in the quiet and leafy Russell Hill neighbourhood.

Inside, the finish is stylish and modern - with oak-effect flooring running through the open plan kitchen, dining and living area and enough natural light to make the whole space feel considerably bigger than the numbers suggest.

The kitchen is the centrepiece - with handleless matt grey units, dark quartz worktops, under-cabinet lighting and a Siemens oven, grill and hob.

The living area opens directly onto the largest balcony in the development - it’s a proper outdoor space, with a decked terrace big enough for a table, chairs and a chilled out Friday evening that goes on longer than planned.

The main bedroom is a good size, with its own ensuite shower room tiled in warm grey stone with a wall-hung WC and chrome heated towel rail.

The second bedroom is smaller but is still a comfortable double - freshly decorated, carpeted and ready to use as either a guest room or a home office. The main bathroom serves both with a full-size bath, overhead shower, wall-hung vanity unit and the same warm stone tiling throughout.

Practically speaking, there's a secure video intercom system, a communal garden, a large lockable bike shed and on street parking.

Purley station is under 15 minutes away - with trains to London Victoria in 20 minutes and London Bridge in 22.

Purley High Street is closer still, with coffee, dinner and the weekly shop all within easy reach on foot.

A modern two-bed, two-bath apartment with outdoor space this good and a commute this quick and easy is a rare combination - and in a development of nine exclusive apartments, only one has a balcony like this one.

Get in touch to arrange a viewing before someone else gets to that Friday evening first.