Buying in Swanley (S.E London outskirt)

betsie

Hi
The Hart Dyke road estate is off London Rd - near the shops end - this would be a no go buying place for me.
The nicer bits are off Birchwood Rd and up that top end off London Rd- that end or the other side completely up near swanley village and the park.
Having been brought up in Plumstead (my parents moved out 2 years ago thank god) this area is positively lovely.
Slightly more expensive but better for schools is Joydens wood and Wilmington just up the road from Swanley but much more desirable.

NinaSwiss

betsie wrote: »

Hi
The Hart Dyke road estate is off London Rd - near the shops end - this would be a no go buying place for me.
The nicer bits are off Birchwood Rd and up that top end off London Rd- that end or the other side completely up near swanley village and the park.
Having been brought up in Plumstead (my parents moved out 2 years ago thank god) this area is positively lovely.
Slightly more expensive but better for schools is Joydens wood and Wilmington just up the road from Swanley but much more desirable.

I grew up in Hackney and also visit family in Plumstead so have some idea of what you mean. Hackney wasnt too bad but given the choice they arent places I'd choose to live.

To be honest my heart has been set on Swanley for a while as it seems you get more for your money (an affordable 3-bed house with a drive on a clean/tidy road and walkable distance to a train station is what my dream home looks like). Wont need the train much once I get a car but Its good to have incase I find myself working in London.

Maybe when I meet mr right and have kids I can consider the more desirable villages . Hopefully by then I'll also have more equity to use as a deposit (from using lodger takings to overpay mortgage).

I'll research more once there's a particular property that interests me. If nothing comes up, I'll just map out the roads that are of interest and distribute notes to see if owners are interested in selling.

Happy New Year Everyone.

hazyjo

Agree with avoiding the 'Crays'.

Have lived in Eltham - had no major probs (few kids hanging around, but not generally causing trouble - apart from my old car getting walked over a couple of times in the '90s!). Found it a nice enough place. The High Street improved over the several years I was there (from around 1998 to 2006).

New Eltham is generally considered nicer - although not so much there.

Can you afford anything in Bexley? That'd be my first choice. Quite pricey though. New Eltham would be my second.

Parts of Welling are okay, as are bits of Falconwood - and don't write off the Blackheath side of Shooters Hill. Not on top of a station, but if you don't mind a long walk or bus ride, there are options.

Jx