We caught up with Charlie Lamdin, best known from ‘Moving Home with Charlie’ where he broadcasts live to his audience of 40,000 followers across all platforms, sharing insights on how to navigate the gauntlet of home moving, arming movers with knowledge and skill to better negotiate their way into their next home whether they are renting or buying. He is a maverick economic and political commentator where relevant to the housing market.
Charlie is also the founder of BestAgent.co.uk – a new national property website which aims ‘to undermine all the backhanded conduct in the property sector, showing the truth of what’s happening whether the agents like it or not’.
My car of choice
As a lifelong petrolhead who’s owned 40 cars including some dream machinery such as an Audi RS6, this is a huge question. But it has to be my super-cool, mile-munching 1989 ex-Saudi embassy classic Mercedes 560 SEL in spruce green with palomino leather. The pinnacle of internal combustion engineering.
My favourite holiday destination
I’m a globetrotting addict – so many places, no time to see them, but the one place I go back to every year is the roadless island of Tresco in the Scilly Isles, so it must be my favourite. It has a beauty, tranquillity and old-world serenity I’ve never encountered elsewhere.
My gadget I can’t live without
A camera, radio, TV, a navigation device whether I’m driving or flying my Cessna, a note-taker, voice recorder, map, alarm clock, messenger, publisher, music player, wallet, fitness tracker, calendar, telephone, weather forecaster, stock broker, parking meter, delegation tool, car key and newspaper. My tyrannical, indispensable, mental-health hurting iPhone. I hate it.
My go to fashion brand
I’ve bought more clothes from more brands in the Fara charity shop near my flat on Battersea Park Road than all other shops put together. But if I had to pick one brand that’s more me than anything else, it’d be the bastard lovechild of Tom Ford and Timberland. Tomberland?
My airline of choice
Despite their best efforts to put me off, the airline that let me sit in the cockpit jump-seat of a Boeing 747 when landing at Heathrow, at night, when I was just eight years old (back in 1980 when that was a thing) has to win the crown. British Airways.
My favourite watch brand
I grew tired of my Rolex’s inability to keep time, I tried an Apple watch to get me off my phone, then I found my Swedish Kronaby, a classically designed watch that connects to my phone, the best of both worlds. Timeless classic design with the convenience of a smartwatch.
My favourite restaurant
After 30 years of eating out, most of my favourite restaurants have gone. But Maggie Jones, in Kensington, London was my favourite restaurant from the first time I ate there, and it hasn’t changed to this day. Timeless, country kitchen food, surly but professional waiters and a unique rustic vibe.
My guilty pleasure
On a long drive from London to Devon when I’m hungry, too late for supper, and can’t be arsed to leave the car, the golden arches at Solstice Services beckons. It takes me back to my broke teenage years at Wandsworth McDonald’s drive thru where I’d take my horrified French girlfriend for dinner.
My favourite way to give back
Giving my time to someone or a group of people who might get any value from it is by far the most rewarding thing to do. It’s real, it’s grounding and it keeps us in touch with what’s happening. Giving money is important, but not as fulfilling as giving of yourself.
