thinking of moving to Enfield - what's it like?

[Francita]

Hi all,

I have a little 11 month old boy and currently live in SE London. My partner and I are scouting for places to live in London to permanenttly settle in that have reasonably good school. We came to Enfield two weeks ago and were impressed by the fact it was also really nice with the canal etc. Schools seem to also be good.
However, I then did some research (including looking at comments on Mumsnet) and all comments about Enfield are so negative (i.e. schools not so nice, high crime etc) that I am not sure anymore. The comments that I saw on Mumsnet were from about 2006-2008 and mainly from people that had just moved out of Enfield and said that they couldn't wait to move out.
Perhaps the comments were old and things have changed.

What's it like?
What are schools like? Ofstead reports are quite good but I read some comments saying there are lots of behavioural problems even in the best schoold. This is not uncommon around London, but I was just put off by the fact that almost every single comment I read about Enfield was a negative one. I personally didn't get the that impression when I came to visit, but I don't live there and I am wondering what you people think.

Many thanks
Francesca

[craigslittleangel]

I live and work in Enfield and love it. I am a north London girl, and have lived and worked in Tottenham, Wood Green, Alexandra Palace Crouch End etc. I can honestly say that Enfield is great.

It is not overly trendy like Crouch End, and is very family orientated. As to the schools, they are actually really good. There are some dudds but there are also some good ones.

I think it depends on where about in the borough you are planning to move. But if I could afford to, I would definitely be buying here.

[Francita]

Hi Crigslittleangel,

thank you so much for taking the time to respond. To be honest I got the same impressions about Enfield, i.e. it seemed a nice place to live (although I have only been there once!).

Of course Enfield Chase is lovely but expensive. Where else apart from that area would you buy?

Thanks again!

[ILikeyLikey]

I've lived in Enfield for several years now and it is a great place to bring up children. Good schools, though the good ones have very small "catchment" areas or distance from school for pupil intake. So if you are considering an area, check with the local schools the distance of the furthest pupil.

Particularly nice areas are Grange Park, Winchmore Hill, Oakwood, Southgate, Enfield Chase. All pretty pricy though, unfortunately. Lovely parks, good transport links to London and road links.

HTH.

[craigslittleangel]

I would love to live in any of the places ILikey mentioned. The school I would love to get my DD in when she is old enough does have an really small catch ment area, so I agree look at the schools and go with that.
Good luck.

[MegBusset]

I lived in Enfield Town for years, as long as you stay west of the A10 it's great :) Lots of families, a playgroup for every day of the week, park, shops, library. Some very good primary schools BUT catchments are teeny tiny (under 0.2 miles in some cases). Chase Side, George Spicer, Lavender, Grange Park all well regarded, plus there are a few church schools if that's your kind of thing. Secondaries a bit more mixed but that's London for you. What's your budget / how much space do you need?

[Francita]

thank you for the replies, this is very reassuring and, like I said, the comments I was reading were much older.
We are looking for a 3 bed or 2 bed with possibility for loft conversion (in time, when our finances would have recovered from the purchase of a house). We are looking around the 300K - 325K (absolute max). We are definitely thinking of Enfield Chase (so lovely, I fell in love with it instantly) but agree that is going to be the pricey...however I will also look at the areas that ILikey suggested....indeed my partner and I are coming back up that way on Sat to register with a few more agencies so we will ask about those areas too. Tiny catchments are a problem everywhere I think. I have just heard that the local school, the Ivydale (I live in Nunhead/New Cross area), offered places to siblings and to kids living up to 100 meters from the school! i.e. you would virtually have to live across the road to get in.
It's crazy everywhere....

[Hoppergrasser]

OK that doesn't sound totally impossible within your budget. Don't be afraid to look at stuff over your budget and negotiate down, we sold our house in EN2 18 months ago for 10% under asking price. You don't want to be more than 0.2 miles from your preferred school if you can help it.

Nice quiet road, near Lavender school

Near Chase Side school

Same here

Right by Lavender

Near Lavender and by Enfield's best old boozer, the Wonder

[Francita]

Brillient Hoppergrasser, many thanks! I don't even need to look at rightmove anymore...can just come here! ;-)

As I said, we will be back in Enfield this week end and hopefully can look at some of these. The one Near Chase side school is really nice and within budget!

Are you still living in EN2 or have you moved out?

F.

[Jcee]

I've been in Enfield 10 years and as others have said love it. It's green with lots of open space, loads of families and close/far enough away to London to dip in and out city life if you want.

We're moving in Enfield soon having just sold our house and bought a new one in a similar price bracket to yours - I second what hoppergrasser said about looking at stuff a bit over your budget as we were able to negotiate down.

You'll pay more for Enfield chase as its close to the station, so if you don't need to commute look at the areas Hoppergrasser has suggested, although I'm not convinced at her taste in pubs

[Hoppergrasser]

We moved out because we ended up in a 'black hole' between schools (0.5 miles away from about six schools but only in catchment for the one that nobody wanted to send their kids to) and we couldn't afford to move nearer a good school. Plus it was a lifestyle change for us (moved to Norfolk). But would have stayed there if we could have afforded it!

[Hoppergrasser]

This is a link to a PDF giving the primary school catchments for admission in September 2012, which may give a useful guide as to the maximum distance you want to be from a school, though remember catchments can vary wildly from year to year. For example George Spicer, which has an excellent reputation, had 49 siblings out of 60 intake and a catchment of 0.18 miles! The lack of school places is definitely the one big issue in Enfield Town.

[Hoppergrasser]

Sorry to keep on. James Hayward on Chase Side are good local estate agents, bought/sold through them a couple of times.

[Jcee]

hoppergrasser that's one of the reasons that we are moving as DD approaches school age! Interesting stat on George spicer!

I second the recommendation for James Hayward - when we were househunting we almost bought through - there problems with the vendors which led to the sale falling through...long story! - and they were brilliant throughout. Also recommend atkinsons down Lancaster road

[Francita]

Thank you guys! Officially registered with James Hayward!

[KGa]

I agree with MegBusset - Enfield is great as long as you stay west of the A10.
The area around Lancaster Road is surprisingly good value for money considering it has nice Victorian/Edwadian properties, decent local shops, a handy station (Gordon Hill) for commuting into London and is not too far from bigger shops in Enfield Town. It is also great for young families as it has a lovely park (Hillyfields) and three children's playgrounds.
However, I am surprised there are so many recommendations for James Hayward. They messed us around when we were house hunting. We found Barnfields much more helpful.

[LauraKMum]

Hi Francita, we are thinking of moving to Enfield from SE London and have very similar circumstances and even budget (around 300-325 tops!!). We have a 2 yr old child. I've read so many negatives comments that started to panic. The main theme of those comments was "can't wait to get out of there" or "if you come to Enfield, you'll be stuck there for life". So was much relieved to find this thread. We are going to view our first property this week hopefully. You are a bit more ahead in your research, what do you think about Enfield now, aside what's been said here? I'm a bit concerned now about the tiny catchment areas. The property we are going to view is 0.4 miles from any primary school (it's near Enfield Chase) :(. Perhaps we also need to base our search on catchment areas.

[Mellymou]

Hello All

My husband and I are house hunting too. The plan is to start a family hence we are seeking to buy a 3 bed spacious house with all the things a mum would want - nice community feel, local amenities, green space, lots of other mums to create new friendships, and most importantly schools.

LauraKMum - I noted your comments. With regards with primary schools and catchment areas - How did you find this and seeking a property? Did you base your search on Ofsted?

Warm regards

[Karpenisou5]

Hi everyone, it is great to have the chance to communicate with you. We are thinking of moving to Enfield and it looks like an amazing place. can anyone recommend a primary school for my 6 year old son?
Enfield is stated as one of the safest places to live in London, so do you all agree with this?
Thank you in advance.

[EnfieldLady]

@Karpenisou5 - both questions depend very much where in the London Borough of Enfield you choose to live!

[Karpenisou5]

@EnfieldLady
Hi and thank you for your comment.
Where would be a good (safe and residential) area to rent in?
I am an English teacher, so hope to be finding a job in one of its numerous schools there.
Please try to state some areas for me. Thx!!!

[JoHarrison]

The "best" areas of borough are considered N21 and EN2 postcodes.
If you are concerned about crime, (and can afford to) perhaps avoid Edmonton N9 & N18 & also EN3.
EN1 and Palmers Green N13 are very pleasant in parts, as is Southgate N14.
There are good and less good primary schools everywhere, but catchment areas can be pretty tight. As it's an in-year application (ie your DS will be joining an existing school class), your choice will limited by where there are spaces. Only the council can tell you where. I would start with that; look at where there are spaces, then consider the Ofsteds and results, and then find somewhere to rent near your preferred school.

[Karpenisou5]

@JoHarrison
Thank you so much for your detailed reply. I found it very helpful. We are considering Barnet as a second option. The place looks quiet, greener and more primary schools there. I read that the schools there have amazing reputations.
It is such a big responsibility finding a school for a child, especially when the choice might not be up to you as to which one they will go to eventually...
Have a great evening

[LinkinPark]

Hello, looking into moving to Enfield. I found a property near Gordon Hill that I like but looking on google street view there seems to be a lot of estates round there and flat blocks. Can someone tell me what it’s like? Someone above said Gordon Hill is nice but I’m now not so sure.