Double room in a friendly place

I've been living in London for 17 years now: 7 in a shared house where I made friends I'm still in contact with and 8 in a great place in Hackney where I felt at home. I'm currently living in NW9. I'm a male professional in his early 50s looking for a nice place to live in. NO AGENCIES PLEASE! I am a considerate person, tidy, clean, organised. I don't have pets, but I'd be more than happy to find a household with a resident dog or cat.
I am pretty creative and little gardening, reading, writing, long walks are how I usually like to spend my spare time. I have a couple of outdoors plants I’d like to keep, so a place with a shared garden where I’ll be allowed to keep them (they are in a pot) would be a great plus.
If you want to know more, just ask.
Available either to join a flat/House already shared or a group of buddies looking to rent a new place. I usually spend 3 or 4 months per year abroad so I'm not so picky about the room, as long as it is clean, pests/mould free and of a decent size.