Stratford Olympic village

hazyjo

Look at Highams Park, E4 and Walthamstow, E17. Would much rather buy in either of those than Stratford.

Jx

sann420

hazyjo wrote: »

Look at Highams Park, E4 and Walthamstow, E17. Would much rather buy in either of those than Stratford.

Jx

The commute to Canary Wharf from these areas would be much longer than Stratford.

VfM4meplse

There are actually 2 Stratfords.

Stratford E15 is the one of old, backing down to Plaistow and West Ham, and the one most of us wouldn't wish on our worst enemy's dog.

And then there is Stratford E20, home of the Olympic village, the right side of the tracks and and looking to attract an affluent and professional population the size of Cambridge. It will have no community, so in that sense will be just like Canary Wharf - no soul but lots of shops. If you work hard and just need a place to lay your head for the night during the week, it's a much cheaper option than E14. If you are planning on having a family any time soon, find a nice home in Essex and commute like everyone else.

reformedEffortmaker

sann420 wrote: »

Hey reformed

Since you have valuable experience of living close to South Woodford
and Stratford Stations.... how would you compare them ?

South Woodford/Wansted
Advantages
-It's another commuter-ville. Your neighbours are likely to be like-minded people working hard in Central London somewhere meaning for a more comfortable commute, tidier front gardens, better service from the council when you call up about things.
-South Woodford/Wanstead both have a lot of new(ish) money from East Londoners who made good in the 1980's/90's and moved slightly further up the central line from Bethnal Green/Mile End but didnt take the complete plunge into Essex. Its been an 'upgrade to' place for a long time which would help if you ever wanted to sell
-It also has a Waitrose, Pizza Express, proper Belgium cafes and Jaguar dealership. I dont mean this to sound as snobbish as it does, but these companies spend a lot of time researching there target audience (AB1 or whatever the marketing types call it) and the fact they have been in SW for so long is a good sign!. Yes, I know Westfield Stratford has all of these things now, but South Woodford/Wanstead flats areas are established and solid.

Disadvantages
-It get very busy from Friday - Sunday nights. It has a number of bars that attract the young TOWIE types, with customised Louis Vutton style range rovers, but no where near as many issues as the Yates or Rex clubs in Stratford.
-For the last 2-3 years, Redbridge borough have been merging more and more of their services with neighbouring boroughs, and even with Essex!. So ringing up with a council tax query will be fine, but if you expect to use your primary care trust/library/local swimming pool etc very often, expect it to be challenging and probably not very local!
-It's pricey to get on the ladder to start with, and the ongoing costs such as council tax, tube fare will be more.
-The A406 can be an absolute nightmare. Prepare to spend approx 30 minutes moving 2 miles during rush hour if you ever have to drive

Stratford
Advantages
-A big plus for Stratford is its diversity. You will get exposure to all the things that continue to contribute to making Britain Great, as well as carribbean food (in proper restaurants not take away stalls), The Theatre Royal London East, pound shops galore, some proper east end pubs, a few street market and obviously Westfield!.

Disadvantages
-There is lots of the poverty in Newham borough that you dont see when you're just jumping off the train into Westfield, but walk five minutes up the Barking Road or towards West Ham and you'll notice a completely different atmosphere. People in the borough have had the Olympics thrown at them and their local services removed as a result which will no doubt impact longer term. Where will all their issues be displaced to? How certain are you that your new build flat wont become a mixed social housing block (again I am sounding like a snob and I dont mean to offend people who do live like in these environments now)

-The station layout isnt quite there yet (tried changing from the Overground line to the Jubilee line during rush hour?), if you are going to have this grief anyway, I would rather do it knowing I was going further out on the red line to some peace and quiet.

Look on the crime maps from the Met Police website for an overview of what I mean. Also get a copy of the local papers and see what people are whinging over in the letters columns. If the most people can find to complain about is dog p00 on the pavements, then consider that a good sign!.

In essence, South Woodford/Wansted/Snarebrook will be more expensive and longer to get into work, but I think is worth it, if you can afford it.

sann420

Thanks for such an ellaborate answer reformed.

As I said earlier in the post. I miiiiiiiiiiiiight just be able to afford a 2 bed freehold in south-woodford/wanstead area but I would be really kicking myself if 10 years from now Stratford takes over these areas in prices.

reformedEffortmaker

what does your gut tell you?

clarabelle41

Do you imagine yourself still living in a flat in 10 years then? I haven't seen the flats but in 10 years they might not be such an attractive proposition to future buyers. The proximity of the football stadium when West Ham take over and the environment of match days may not appeal to all.

sann420

reformedEffortmaker wrote: »

what does your gut tell you?

Buy a free hold in Wanstead, South Woodford, Stratford or Leytonstone.

My gut is pretty confused lol.

reformedEffortmaker

Then rent for a while before making a decision, what's the rush?

sann420

reformedEffortmaker wrote: »

Then rent for a while before making a decision, what's the rush?

1) I have a significant amount of deposit rotting in banks.

2) If property prices go up I might not be able to afford these areas any more.