Suggestions for places to buy a house near a good state primary in London

[zoomzoomzoomimgoingtothemoon]

Hi mums

My first time here, apologies if similar questions have been asked a thousand times already...

Does anyone have suggestions for nice areas of London that we might be able to afford to buy a house, in the catchment for good state primaries and secondaries?

Main critera:

1. Preferably a house, 3 bed, 400-500k
   
2. Very high chance of getting into a good Primary School, with good secondary also (can't afford to move twice!)
   
3. Within 1 hour commute to Canary wharf by public transport, preferably closer
   
4. Nice, safe area
   

Thank you!

[hyperspacebug]

Off top of my head: Orpington (both decent primaries and secondaries, 25-30 mins to London Bridge)

There are plenty of others (like Hither Green, etc) with great primaries but not so great state secondaries - but that's a chronic London problem.

[zoomzoomzoomimgoingtothemoon]

Thanks hyperspacebug, I'll take a look.

Does anyone else have any suggestions? Many thanks.

[MummytoMog]

South Woodford, but the good secondaries are grammar schools and selective. But everyone seems to want Churchfields.

[hyperspacebug]

I second South Woodford - on central line. It might be a relative trek to Canary Wharf and if your DH can tolerate it, it's a very nice place to live - nice high street and all very important supermarkets in one place.

[MummytoMog]

It wouldn't be awful - Central to Stratford, then Jubilee to Canary Wharf. Well under an hour and Central not dreadful in the morning.

[beccajoh]

Canary Wharf isn't long on the tube from Waterloo or London Bridge stations. You could live outside London and commute. I live in Walton on Thames (30 mins to Waterloo in rush hour), and you could be in CW in about an hour (depends hour far from the station you live). Plenty of property in that price bracket and several good schools. Other areas locally - Weybridge, Hersham, Esher, Cobham, Oxshott.

[Littlepicklehead]

I think you'll be lucky to get a 3 bed house for 4-500k in s woodford... Prices have gone crazy in most London boroughs.

Orpington is probably a better bet

[zoomzoomzoomimgoingtothemoon]

Thanks MummytoMog, beccajoh, Littlepicklehead, hyperspacebug! The Southwoodford commute looks pretty ok, and it's also not too far to cycle.

Any more suggestions for North/East London? It would also be nice to be within striking distance of Kings Cross, but at this stage really anywhere is fair game.

[beaglesaresweet]

Bexleyheath/Welling (pref South or not far from High street), a bit dull but a very nice big park there (Danson) and not far at all from Greenwich where think there is connection to CW. No tube though.

[hyperspacebug]

Woodford is nice also but not as high-street-ey and pricey as S Woodford.

Bexley for grammar schools.

Eltham is a suburb that is described as 70s English childhood, I've been there and you may get really good deals for the prices - it has some good primaries.

For Surrey Sutton is a prime example.

[TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams]

Bromley/Orpington.
Fixer upper in Greenwich but you'd need to be on the doorstep of a school. Primaries are not too bad but secondaries are not great though improving out of all recognition recently

[JoJoCK]

S Woodford is nice but no good for secondaries

[MummytoMog]

There are two grammars - one for boys and one for girls. So if you're fairly certain you can afford tutoring and your DCs will be bright, you're fine. Or if you're a bit religious, there's Davenant.

We're planning the grammar route ;)