Crayford?

mrmrsa

I've lived about a 10 minute drive from Crayford my whole life so know the area quite well.

There's not too much in Crayford and I wouldn't suggest the Dartford/Gravesend area as they're a bit rough. If you head a bit closer towards London (Bexleyheath, Welling, Falconwood, Eltham, Sidcup, etc.) you're getting a nicer area and the train journey will be cheaper as well. It only takes about half hour to get into central London from most of these places.

I've been looking around these areas lately for our first place but if you're on a 150k budget you'll be hard pushed to find anything half decent. There are a lot of new builds that have either just been made or are still being built though that would be in your price range in these areas but they're generally on a part buy part rent scheme so I'm not sure whether you'd be interested in that or not??

If you want something cheaper then you'll probably be better looking in the Dartford/Gravesend area but, as I said, I don't think these places are too great.

If you're keen on Crayford though I think the area is okay. I have family living in Crayford and my husband works in Crayford and they're all happy where they are. It's handy if you need the train it just means that you will have to go out of town (i.e. Bexleyheath or Dartford) if you need shops or bars, etc.

happy_2008

Mrmrsa any idea on what woodford drive is like?
What is a realistic budget for these areas?

mrmrsa

Whereabouts is Woodford Drive, I can't find it on a map? If you have a postcode that might be easier?

If you're looking at the areas like Bexleyheath and Welling, for a 2 bed house you're looking somewhere in the region of 160-190k.

happy_2008

Wow self fail its actually woodfall drive:

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=woodfall+drive+crayford&meta=

I think we might be able to stretch to those limits if we are buying a house since there will be no service charges to pay.

mrmrsa

I don't know that exact area too well - I've only driven past a few times but the houses all look pretty nice there. There are a few dodgy looking pubs on Crayford Road but they're only small and they're not too close anyway! You're also close to the retail park and the big Sainsbury's and only a short 10 minute drive from Bexleyheath which has loads more shops and entertainment options.

In every area you go to there are going to be better and worse areas so I'd just look around and go for the actual house/flat that you like the most. All these areas are pretty much the same and wherever you live you'll probably end up going into different towns to do different bits of shopping and for nights out etc. I regularly go to Crayford to visit my family and go to the big retail park and I've always thought the area was pretty good.

heretolearn_2

I live nearish there, I'm not too keen on the whole area but it's ok really, I just find it very boring. As for rough bits, there are nicer bits and not so nice bits all round here, some areas a bit run down, other areas very nice, it can change from one street to the next! I find it pretty quiet and not 'rough' in the sense that I suspect people mean, but these things depend on what you are used to perhaps. I used to live in a real rough part of Essex so it's quiet as anything here for me - no police helicopters every night, no groups of blokes with baseball bats walking up the street, lol. But it is definitely a very 'chavvy' part of the world - not everyone of course, but plenty around.

I don't like it round here because it's just dull, few facilities, just houses really, I either want to live in proper country or proper city ideally. If you are interested in arts/culture there is NOTHING here.

Callie22

Sorry, but I wouldn't recommend either Welling or Bexleyheath. I lived in Welling for a while (just off the high street) and I have to say it's one of the worst places I've ever lived - horrible atmosphere, rough as anything, full of unpleasant characters and very scruffy. I commuted into London and it's an awful journey, not one I could face on a daily basis for a long period. I'm glad I was renting as it meant I didn't have to stay there! What really made me keen to leave was the day when a neighbour decided to hold an armed siege in his house ...

Witlim

I have lived in welling for over 20 years and commuted to Central London for five years. Welling is not a bad area. The journey into London is 34 minutes.

ruggedtoast

hazyjo wrote: »

I just don't think there's a lot there... don't rule out Eltham/New Eltham - nearer London and pretty much okay. Lived there for several years. Bought a car from Crayford once Nice that there's greenery, forest and towns nearby. Not somewhere I'd opt for, but then maybe not one I'd rule out entirely either if I decided to cast my net a bit wider than say Bexley, Bexleyheath, New Eltham, Barnehurst, Sidcup or similar areas.

What sort of things are you into? Young FTB into trendy bars, etc? Or someone looking for peace and quiet away from everything with maybe just a pub within walking distance? Hard to comment on Crayford or other areas without knowing a bit more about you...

Jx

Oh sweet Jesus. Rule out Eltham. Rule it right out.

happy_2008

mrmrsa wrote: »

I've lived about a 10 minute drive from Crayford my whole life so know the area quite well.

There's not too much in Crayford and I wouldn't suggest the Dartford/Gravesend area as they're a bit rough. If you head a bit closer towards London (Bexleyheath, Welling, Falconwood, Eltham, Sidcup, etc.) you're getting a nicer area and the train journey will be cheaper as well. It only takes about half hour to get into central London from most of these places.

I've been looking around these areas lately for our first place but if you're on a 150k budget you'll be hard pushed to find anything half decent. There are a lot of new builds that have either just been made or are still being built though that would be in your price range in these areas but they're generally on a part buy part rent scheme so I'm not sure whether you'd be interested in that or not??

If you want something cheaper then you'll probably be better looking in the Dartford/Gravesend area but, as I said, I don't think these places are too great.

If you're keen on Crayford though I think the area is okay. I have family living in Crayford and my husband works in Crayford and they're all happy where they are. It's handy if you need the train it just means that you will have to go out of town (i.e. Bexleyheath or Dartford) if you need shops or bars, etc.

Out of interest what is your budget?