Cheaper Property Alternatives to Eltham?

[Spearshake]

Hello, we're looking to move to SE London with a budget of 350K, and are hoping to get a house with 4 beds, garden. We had our hearts set on Eltham, but the estate agents (ok, one particular agent) thinks we are under budget with 350K for a 4 bed in Eltham. So, he recommended Bexleyheath, Sidcup, etc. I'm not familiar with these areas though. Could anyone advise? We'd be willing to consider all other areas, and we both work from home so the commute into London is not a huge concern.

[Struggling90]

With £350k you can afford to live in the nice parts of Bexleyheath and Sidcup. Bexley village is nice.

[Spearshake]

Thank you Struggling90 - are you from these parts? What's Bexley Village like? What are the nice parts of Sidcup (and also which bits would you say to avoid?)

[happybilly]

i live in plumstead/shooters hill. close to bexley. bexley would be out of reach for that amount. sidcup - depends which bit.
even in plumsteaD 4 BEDROOMED houses are 350 - 400 k depending on location. try shooters hill, nicer than plumsteaf, close to blackheath.

[LondonGirl83]

If you are up for it, have you considered buying a 3 bed and doing a loft conversion? Its not as daunting as it sound and I have friends who have recently bought in Elthamwent under offer in November and are closing this month and they bought a decent 3 bedsemi with off street parking, large garden and a garage. The 3rd bedroom and kitchen are tiny but they plant to turn it into what they need. Often times its cheaper to create what you want than buy it ready made.

Best of luck.

[NotAnotherNewNappy]

How important is the 4th bedroom? Do you need it right away for your family? Or is it just for the occasional overnight guest?

If you are prepared to drop the 4th bed, you could have this...

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-44779223.html?premiumA=true

This one might have scope for a loft extension, or you could use the separate lounge for visitors. It's been on for a while so they might take an offer... Warning, you need to look past all the black leather!

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-44318249.html

Again, you might be able to convert the loft in this one:

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-42806782.html

If I couldn't stretch to Eltham, I'd have a look at Welling or Blackfen. Plumstead has shot up, so no bargains there anymore. Shooters Hill could be good.

But really I'd do/did as others have said and buy a 3 bed with the possibility of extending later.

[SanityClause]

Beware of Bexley borough. It is a grammar borough. Hurrah, if your DC get into one of the four grammars, but what if they don't?

[MegBusset]

I grew up around there and am at house prices now! Anyway, the least worst area round there is Bexley Village or Barnehurst imo. And yes beware of the grammar school system - when I was at school, if you didn't get into a grammar you were basically written off.