Tell me about Walthamstow...

[Nickname1980]

I need a bigger place and lots of friends are moving to Walthamstow. I really, really like the village, but it's very small.

The outer rim is just... grim. I drive through it every week and just really don't like it.

Do you notice the outer rim living there? Is the village bit too small?

What about schools?

[ecuse]

I live in the "grim outer rim" (Lliyd Park) and much prefer it to the village which seems to be full of tiny, poky houses. Albeit pretty ones.

[Nickname1980]

That's not the bit I mean ecuse - it's more Whipps Cross end that I drive past (I don't know Lloyd Park).

I totally don't mean to offend by describing bits as grim, by the way! Just realised how rude that sounds. I currently live in Hackney (and love it) but know appearances can be misleading in neighbourhoods.

[PigletJohn]

Hackney is frightfully grim

I went to school near Whipps Cross, and rode round that way, lots of forest, open ground and large gravelly ponds

I expect you are peering from your car as you drive along the Lea Bridge Road.

[Nickname1980]

Haha yes that's exactly right, PigletJohn!

I'm guessing the Lea Bridge Road isn't a fair example of Walthamstow or Whipps Cross, in that case?

[WhatKatyDidnt]

No, it isn't - just like any main thoroughfare in London it doesn't bear that much resemblance to the residential streets a stone's throw away!

There are some very nice roads near Whipps Cross; it's a bit of a trek to a train station though.

[Nickname1980]

Thank you WhatKatyDidnt! You're right, it's too hard to judge from one road. Driving up and down it every week for the last five years has just fixed an impression in my mind that I definitely need to shake.

So the village isn't necessarily the best bit of Walthamstow then? Is there a good community? I do love a little London-village vibe!

Anyone got any opinions about primary schools?

[Biscuitsneeded]

Outdated because I moved away 10 years ago, but I used to live by Lloyd park and really loved it. No clue about schools though... I have a friend who lives in one of the streets off Coppermill Lane which seems to be full of families. Walthamstow is preferable to Hackney, I think, because of the tube. (Don't shoot me!)

[loresho]

There are some grim bits, but it is getting much less grim daily. We moved here 2 years ago, and decided against the nice but pokey village and chose the Wood St bit instead (because: nice big garden, no controlled parking, close to the forest, but slightly further from the tube). There is a nice community feel though. But, tbh, I can't wait to move - it's very crowded, traffic is ghastly, and air quality is very poor (if that sort of thing matters to you). Will be moving when LO is school age.

[dynevoran]

I love it. Some of the nicest streets are in upper Walthamstow near whipps cross roundabout. Used to live around wood street and planning to move back next year.

[Nickname1980]

Great tips, thank you all! I will explore more than just the village after your advice.

Where will you be moving to, loresho?

[ExConstance]

Happy nostalgia for me. I lived in Blenheim road, short walk from Blackhorse Road tube. I had a house with a garden containing shed and apple tree, used to walk my dog in Lloyd park. I loved Walthamstow but wouldn't have wanted to live in the village area which is far too twee for me. I'd like to move back but after many years in rural Gloucestershire my present 4 bed 3 bathroom detached is worth about half of the current value of my old 2 bedroom terrace.

[loresho]

ooh now that's the question! Definitely out of London. Cambridge, probably.

[Soundsystem]

Where-ish in Hackney are you? I'll try to recommend the equivalent bit of Walthamstow!

We moved from Hackney last year (between Broadway Market and Victoria Park) and looked at various bits of Walthmastow before settling on Bakers Arms (other side of Lea Bridge Road and technically in Leyton, but only just). I would say, you get A LOT more for your money with an E10 post code than E17 or E11. We find this area a bit buzzier and like Hackney was a few years ago (not quite upped and come) whereas the Village is more people priced-put-of-Stokey (not a criticism!) Lloyd Park is lovely but a bit more suburban.

Lots of good schools - there are a few pockets of Walthamstow that don't seem to fall into the catchment for any school so if a house seems cheap for where it is that may be why! Henry Maynard, St. Mary's or Barclay would be my picks but there's good schools all over I think (those are just the ones I know people with kids at and all positive).

[Nickname1980]

Haha so funny you should say "priced out of Stokey", Soundsystem - that's us!

Ooh some really good tips here. So great to know that there's more than just the Village to look at (all I know - well, that and the Lea Bridge Road from my car window!)

And thank you about the school suggestions, I will look out for those!

Better spend some weekends checking out the neighbourhood!

[Nickname1980]

I do love Cambridge loresho! I have a lot of family there - such a great place!

[Celia1978]

We moved to E17 last year. We do live in the Village (about five minutes walk from the Lea Bridge Rd - which I agree is grim) but as PP have said there are other nice bits. I love Lloyd Park - wish we lived a bit closer!
I'd say anything between Lea Bridge Rd (south) and Forest Rd (north), Shernall St (east) and Hoe St (west) is pretty nice too - the Village is in the middle of that but you don't have to be 'in' it to benefit from the shops etc.
We moved here - not even stopping to look at N16! - for space etc so it felt like a decision borne out of necessity rather than enthusiasm, but I've surprised myself by how much I like it. There genuinely is a feel of community; lots of stuff happening, great neighbours, loads of families with young kids. And given that we moved from Zone 1 I actually quite like the feeling of being a bit distant from town (though very grateful it's only 20 mins on the Tube!) - Epping Forest is amazing and lots to do in the Lea Valley and further out into Essex.
And I'm a year off having to think about schools but from what I've heard the primaries are all pretty strong, so it's not like you have to fight to get into the catchment of the one good school, either...

[EverydayAnya]

Just wanted to butt in here and ask about the roads around Whipps Cross too. This is touted as Upper Leytonstone. Roads such as poppleton and Lytton etc. The houses are lovely. Anyone have any views on this part of the area?

Technically not Walthamstow though on the other side of lea bridge rd

[EverydayAnya]

Bump

[herbaceous]

We moved to Walthamstow 10 years ago from Dalston (just before it became ridiculously trendy). When we bought the house it was classed as 'village borders', but houses for sale on it now are called 'heart of the village' - definition of the 'village' expands every year.

There are definite characters to each area. The village is, indeed, villagey, with a 'naice' Spa, good gastropubs, and even a cheese shop, but some feel it has too many handlebar moustaches, fixed-gear bikes and challenging haircuts. The school of middle-class choice there is Henry Maynard, which has no uniform and a slightly more relaxed approach.

Lloyd Park is very family oriented, but has mainly flats rather than houses, though very nice, purpose-built Warner flats. Lots of good schools - Winns, two branches of Hillyfield...

The area east of Wood Street - Upper Walthamstow - has larger houses, is near the forest, and is handy for Wood Street, which has zillions of independent shops and I think is great. Schools there include Woodside (had been grim, but v much on the up), and St Mary's (Cof E, quite academic).

The bit between Hoe Street and Markhouse Road, around Queens Road, is less expensive, but oddly atmosphere-free. This is changing, gradually. I believe an Italian Deli opened there a few months ago. Good schools there include Edinburgh, Mission Grove and South Grove.

HTH!

[Nickname1980]

Ooh Celia1978 and herbaceous, thank you!

We had a drive around yesterday and really liked it. I just love the sense of community and pretty houses(!).

I'm hoping we don't get priced out before we can move... (Early next year).