Where does one go after being priced out of Walthamstow?

kinsae112

Hello all.

I would really appreciate some advice...big decision for us on where to buy.

We live in a 2 bed Warner flat in Walthamstow, an area that has seen a lot of change over the last 15yrs I've lived here. I am now married with 2 kids (6yr old girl and 1yr old boy).

We do love the community feel of the area with loves of events going on to keep us here. There are a lot of nice cafes, restaurants, pubs, farmers market, plenty of parks and open spaces, galleries on our doorstep. We have the victoria line (London Underground Zone 3) and National Rail lines here plus lots of buses to get around easily. Primary schools are great though I know many are concerned about the lack of really good secondary schools.

We desperately want to move into a house with a bigger kitchen and our own (non-shared) garden for the kids etc

BUT Prices in our area have risen considerably with a lot of parents from Stoke Newington, Hackney & Islington (& of course folks from other parts too). We have about £300k max on our next property which sadly wont get us many houses round here as it would have done a few years back :-(

Are there any areas/house within Walthamstow priced within our budget of £300k? And if not, does anyone know anywhere further afield that sounds like Walthamstow (or dare I say, better? :-) i've spent countless hours on rightmove, zoopla and that hasnt helped except tell me wecant afford anywhere!

I dont think either of us are focused on work commute as we cld change jobs if necessary.

Would love to hear your thoughts or suggestions on areas! Many thanks.

Voyager2002

Could you find work away from London?

Property in Morecambe is dirt-cheap, and I mean spacious houses looking over the sea... and the Lake District is nearby.

zarf2007

Voyager2002 wrote: »

Could you find work away from London?

Property in Morecambe is dirt-cheap, and I mean spacious houses looking over the sea... and the Lake District is nearby.

yes and the moon is looking good this time of year, and there are just as many job opportunities there as morecambe......

kinsae112

In the first instance, I think i wld want to look in and around London as ALL our family and friends are here.

hazyjo

You might like to try these:


http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-31767471.html


Also listed here for more:


http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-31705254.html


You may like Burnham on Crouch. Here's 3+ bed properties under £325k:


http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/find.html?locationIdentifier=REGION%5E250&maxPrice=325000&minBedrooms=3&displayPropertyType=houses&oldDisplayPropertyType=houses&googleAnalyticsChannel=buying


I'm in Chingford and was in Highams Park - you're now priced out of both unfortunately, along with Leytonstone, etc. All so expensive now.


Good luck.


Jx

theartfullodger

kinsae112 wrote: »

....We do love the community feel of the area with loves of events going on to keep us here. There are a lot of nice cafes, restaurants, pubs, farmers market, plenty of parks and open spaces, galleries on our doorstep. We have the victoria line (London Underground Zone 3) and National Rail lines here plus lots of buses to get around easily. Primary schools are great though I know many are concerned about the lack of really good secondary schools. ...

Poor you: You'll need a very "middle-class" area then - sad you can't be more flexible.

In my experience other areas are just as nice, and without the well-known disadvantages ...

Cheers!

hazyjo

Wouldn't actually describe Walthamstow as 'middle class', more 'cosmopolitan' and slightly rough round the edges - although the Village would certainly fall into the middle class description


Highams Park, E4 would have been perfect. If you'd consider South Chingford, you have this one below (and it's very walkable to Highams Park ("HP")). Join a facebook group for HP if you're on it - they had lovely Christmas markets, there's a great community there, decent couple of pubs, nice restaurants, farmers markets, etc. You'd love it. Was very cheap in comparison to others, but it's shot up (well over 50%) in most roads. Two years ago you could have got a decent house for your budget.


http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-32146575.html


Jx

hazyjo

PS also a lovely big lake in Highams Park, and fantastic senior school.


And no, it's not some poncey middle class area, it's definitely got rough round the edges qualities, but on paper it reads like Primrose Hill lol


Jx

princeofpounds

If you want space, value and security with reasonable transport, then it is hard to beat SE London.

It's not on the way to anywhere except Kent, which I think is what keeps it cheap.

The trade-off you make is that it is not an exciting part of town, and I think the trains only run until about midnight typically.

I don't know exactly where the sweet spot is for your budget. But somewhere like Orpington is very respectable, loads of houses for under 300k, train time is about 34 mins which is not that different to Walthamstow (which is 26-34 depending on which terminal you go to). But there are a dozen other areas you might consider I don't know well - considering I have heard of Orpington it's probably not even the best value place out there.

I have no vested interest in the area, but I know a couple of people that live out that way, and it is factually the best place for value.

flea72

kinsae112 wrote: »

In the first instance, I think i wld want to look in and around London as ALL our family and friends are here.

I used to live where all my family and friends were. Quess what, when i moved away, i made new friends and one-by-one, close family moved here too.

If moving out of an area, suits your family/housing needs then, then do it. Id rather have a bigger house with garden that family can come visit in, rather than have my kids cooped up in a pokey property, just because mum lives 5 mins down the road

Even moving out to essex/kent/cambridgeshire, wouldnt be that great a trek backwards and forwards to walthamstow to keep in touch/work

botchjob

You might just still be able to find a 3 bed in Forest Gate, E7 for around £300k. The closer to Wanstead Flats, the better. A decent place to live, and lots going on due to Crossrail. Or look further east along the Crossrail route.