New Eltham - Taylor Wimpey

JKell

Hello

Has anyone got any views on New Eltham (Greater London)? We live in Croydon at the moment and are looking to move out a little bit.

There is a new property by Taylor Wimpey in New Eltham. I drove by the area and it looked good. There are a couple of schools close by, but yet to check their ratings. Any views on this new development? Has anyone booked a plot at this new development?

Jim

bouicca21

Not sure what you want to know but eltham and new eltham are bog standard suburbia.

ruggedtoast

I would run a country mile not to live in or anywhere near Eltham again. It looks ok but I honestly found the community around there is absolutely vile.

It's where Stephen Lawrence was murdered, and having had to live there myself for a while all I can say is that I am surprised stuff like that doesn't happen more often.

New Eltham isn't as bad, its (as the other poster says) suburbia, its much richer than Eltham, but is essentially just people from Eltham with more money. There are no shops or anything around there and you'll probably just find yourself having to go to Eltham for everything, which is ghastly.

As you can tell I am not exactly an Eltham fan.

bouicca21

Ruggedtoast is interesting! I too used to live in eltham and disliked it. But that is precisely because it is bog standard commuter belt and I like a bit of an inner city vibe. I think I'd prefer it to Croydon, but that isn't saying much. The area that Taylor wimpey are building in is unexceptional. Eltham itself has a sainsburys, a costa and a few independent cafes, plus an excellent sports centre. It is reasonably affluent, and notwithstanding the Lawrence murder (which was some miles away from the development you are considering) it isn't dangerous. It has good rail connections (zone 4). It also has some really lovely open spaces. For decent shops you would have to go to bromley or bluewater, or bexleyheath.

It comes down to what sort of area you want to live in.

ruggedtoast

Before committing yourself to Eltham I would spend a day or two there at a variety of times, including in the evening.

Regardless of affluence there is a nasty streak in some parts of SE London (Orpington is the same for instance and Bromley can be as well) that doesn't diminish as the house prices go up, in fact if anything the size of the chips on shoulders get larger.

If you want to live out that way OP I would take a look at Sidcup, which is a more down to earth pleasanter place.

harrys_dad

Unforunately house prices and rents are both directly proportional to the desirability of an area. I suspect that what you can afford will determine where you can live.

hazyjo

Lived in Eltham for almost 10 years and had/got friends in New Eltham.

Eltham itself was okay. As everyone says pretty much bog standard suburbia. Was enough on the High Street for a Saturday - did my shop in Sainsbury's, walked round the shops, had my hair cut at Toni & Guy, ate in a fab grill slightly hidden (hope it's still there!), the Electric Cafe was a reliable lunch place. Eltham can be what you make it.

I never really went out there in the evenings (maybe to a local Indian). But to live and spend a weekend? Yeah, that was fine.

New Eltham was better for that - I was fairly often in local restaurants there.

Not sure about the location of the new homes. Looks to me like it's heading towards the estates of Mottingham (only nice thing there is the Tarn (by the station)). Lake/pond with wildlife. Sat there many a time and watched the birds and animals (including water rats!).

Definitely compare prices against existing houses. If you do choose to be in the area, try to get as close to Eltham Park side of Eltham as you can (round by Elibank/Earlshall/Greenvale/Berryhill/Glenesk, etc. Generaly fairly pricey, but you might find a bargain - or stick to New Eltham which is generally nicer (unless in the 'better' areas of Eltham).

Jx

JKell

Thanks a lot everyone. Very interesting and different perspectives. Compared to Croydon, this place looked a lot better. Maybe I shouldnt be comparing it this way.

We wanted to buy a new house and have been shopping around for sometime. And most importantly, we wanted to stay within a 30 min radius to London Bridge...so, New Eltham worked out well in that aspect.

I've read about the Lawrence case, but should I judge this area based on that incident?

We drove by few streets (Green Lane, Domonic Dr, Montbelle Rd) and they looked really quiet and calm. Should i judge the quality of the area by the cars they have in their porch?

Of course, apart from a burger king and a cost cutter, I couldnt find anything in a 10 mins driving distance from this new development. We really like the floor plans and sticks to our budget, but the battle between the mind and heart continues........

JKell

Actually I take it back, there appears to be a street with some nice restaurants in chislehurst, which is only 5 mins from Dominic dr.
There's also a fairly big sainsburys....of course, this is in bromley though!!

hazyjo

JKell wrote: »

I've read about the Lawrence case, but should I judge this area based on that incident?

We drove by few streets (Green Lane, Domonic Dr, Montbelle Rd) and they looked really quiet and calm. Should i judge the quality of the area by the cars they have in their porch?

Absolutely no way. It's a MUCH publicised case and happened 20 years ago now. Can you imagine if all London areas suffered the same reputation because of stabbings/shootings, some race related?! Most of the 'attackers' didn't even live in Eltham from what I remember (actually, wasn't one in Chislehurst?!).

JKell wrote: »

Actually I take it back, there appears to be a street with some nice restaurants in chislehurst, which is only 5 mins from Dominic dr.
There's also a fairly big sainsburys....of course, this is in bromley though!!

Chislehurst is lovely. VERY expensive. Sainsbury's at the end of Eltham. Also a big one - or maybe Tesco I think - in Sidcup.

Eltham Palace well worth a visit

Green Lane generally very quiet at night. Busy in day. Looked at a house there myself once (covered in ivy!).

The side of Green Lane you mentioned (Domonic, Montbelle, etc) are nicer IMO. I'd not want to go east of Green Lane.

Jx