FTBuyer: where to buy in East London or South East London

Mobeer

Dartford - just outside London, 3 train lines into town for regular services, in budget.

BigAunty

A friend told me that the new javelin train line gets people into St Pancras and other london stations in 20 mins flat or so from Gravesend. Couldn't tell you the merits of any of the kentish towns or south east London stations along the route, nor commuting costs, but it looks like its no longer a clunkingly long hour or so to get from NW kent into central london these days.

I second Walthamstow if you can afford it, not aware of its crime stats though but its only 20 mins by tube to Victoria station.

Most of south-east London and East London is just plain nasty if you have a low budget...

Where do you work in London?

lizards

West Thamesmead (not central or North - you're looking at the area near Plumstead) You'll get what you want for your money there. There's an outstanding primary school (Heronsgate) with three form entry so a good chance of getting in. 10 minute walk to Plumstead rail, and 15 minute walk to Woolwich/DLR and the Crossrail when it opens. Loads and loads of buses. Massive Tesco opened last year in the town, giving it a big boost. An area very much on the up. And near the river/Thames Path for nice walks.

Lived there almost a decade (left because we wanted something more rural) and whilst some parts are shabbier than others, I never felt afraid in the immediate area at night. And I come from Cornwall.

Lizling

If you've got £200k for a 2-bed terraced house, mightn't it be worth considering a £200k flat instead? That'd give you some options in Crystal Palace and Bromley as well as a few other areas.

Btw, for your criteria and at a similar price to the areas you've picked, I'd also have a look at Streatham.

fc123

MB_moneysaver wrote: »

You can try Abbey Wood and Belvedere (SE2 & DA17) as I'm sure that your budget will stretch to a small house. I've been living in the borders between the 2 for the last 11 years and never had any problems or witness crime / anti social behaviour. I believe it’s an area that will experience rapid growth due to Crossrail. I’m currently commuting from Abbey wood station which has frequent trains to central London and it’s zone 4. I’m not a parent so can’t advise on schools, however a friend who lives in Charlton (SE7) has her child enrolled in an “outstanding” primary school and I believe you can still get a flat in that area for your budget.


Best of luck!

You need to check the schools in this area before you buy as some are not good at all and secondary is difficult as Bexley borough has Grammars and so many kids from Greenwich borough go to the grammars in the next borough.

I tried looking at Eltham area for you but no houses for under 200k at all in SE9 postcode.

We bought our 1st house in Plumstead 25 years ago and I liked the community. We did move our son out of the local state school @ 7 for various reasons though but this was a 20 odd years back. Maybe things have improved?

manuce

I work in Central london near Great Portland Street.

Nearest station would be Euston.

Due to my ethinicity which is Asian/Indian I am not ruling out areas like Ilford but due to the crime rate of the council they fall (which is highest among all Broughs).That is something that really put me off but again I can't expect the world in this budget now as I some of my friends are struggling to find something under 200k.

It looks like I am already too late in this property boom madness but hopefully will find something.

lizards

If you work near Euston, have you considered moving out of London altogether? For instance, Hemel Hempstead has trains in 25 minutes into Euston and you would definitely get what you want for your money there and the crime rate is far below what you'd get for your money in London. The season ticket is more, obviously, but it's a quicker journey than from SE London. Schools are good too. There are other places that go into Euston too with similar good prices and reasonable schools.

BigAunty

manuce wrote: »

Nearest station would be Euston.

Have you considered the cheaper places in Hertfordshire like Watford as that's a 20 minute or so train line journey directly into Euston? The metropolitan line that runs out from suburban Herts, including places like Rickmansworth, Watford, etc, also goes directly to Great Portland Street.

That Javelin train line to St Pancras which is adjacent to Euston station is worth investigation. I understand it's now possible to get from Ashford to St Pancras in 37 minutes and Gravesend in around 20. As to whether those towns fit your criteria or the fares for the high speed service are eye watering, I couldn't tell you. Presumably there are slower train links from the other medway towns that feed into the main high speed line stations.

http://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/your-journey/lines-of-route/?route=1

Cornucopia

If working in Euston, definitely look at the High Speed line. (20 mins Ebbsfleet & 25 mins Gravesend to St Pancras - short walk to Euston).

The fares are more expensive than standard fares, but the service is supposed to be extremely reliable.

In Gravesend, there is plenty of housing stock well within your price range.

2-bed flat: £110k+
2-bed house: £130k+
3-bed house: £145k+
3-4 bed semi £175k+

Abbey Wood/Thamesmead/Belvedere/Erith are all similar price range, but vary in quality of commuter links. e.g. Thamesmead - Euston is likely to take c. 1h15mins.

manuce

Great Cornucopia for the valuable suggestion. Can you please also tell some better postcode in Gravesend so that I limit my search as there are always North / South / east and west of areas to avoid