London Zone 3-6 places to buy and live?

[sojo44]

We're considering moving a little bit closer to London (currently coming from Essex).

I work central, but if I ever move roles, they all tend to be around Zone 1 and 2. DH works mostly around East London but can have days in West or South London.

We'd still want good space and to live in a leafy green area (we're definitely nature/outdoor people) and need to think of dog as well. But hoping to find somewhere easy and quick to commute around London.

Of course it all comes down to price and there are great 2M houses to fit the bill so my range would be 300-500, but can stretch to 700ish for the perfect place.

Please lovely Mumsnetters, send me your favourite green London areas for me to research?

How many bedrooms do you want for that?
If you want to stay near Essex, maybe Wanstead or Upper Leytonstone? Central line will be a lot more pleasant once Crossrail opens next year.
Or for more for your money, South of the river to Herne Hill, Streatham Common?

Not sure about Herne Hill for “more for your money”, it’s pretty pricy!

Crystal Palace is nice and green and fairly commutable.

Herne Hill is leafy but a little more expensive. It is slightly better for commuting, though. 10 minutes to Victoria and 12 to Blackfriars.

Cross post! Herne Hill is still worth a look, even if we do look like we're putting you off.

Highams Park could work for you. Train line straight to Liverpool St, some nice big parks, close to Epping Forest.

I'd look in Bromley, South of Croydon Borough or Banstead/Epsom. They all have really leafy areas on the Trainline to London.

The Overground Line is really good for E London. Look at Crystal Palace / Anerley area maybe? Lots of excellent big parks in S London, CP park, Sydenham Woods etc, and easy access to wonderful areas of Sussex for the weekend.

Also, West Norwood and Streatham. Some great schools. Quick Bus to Brixton tube, many rail options.

How many bedrooms for that budget?

Sanderstead could work for you.

Not sure what space you want, but I'm near Finsbury Park which is zone 2 outskirts and it's very green- Finsbury Park itself, Woodbury Wetlands, Clissold Park, Highgate Woods and Queens Woods all nearby.

Wanstead is another one I'd look at. Alexandra Palace maybe?

Thank you so much everyone for your replies! Super helpful and loads for me to research this weekend! Sorry for the late reply as well, work has been overwhelming with overtime!

Also to answer the bedroom question: I'd want minimum 3 good sized bedrooms, 4 would be a bonus but would prefer 3 big bedrooms over 4 where 2-3 of them would be smaller box rooms.

This sort of thing is within your budget, three bedrooms, near Chestnut Park, Finsbury Park, Downhill Park, walkable to Turnpike Lane tube.

www.rightmove.co.uk/s6p/67645074

Ah ok. I would look at Enfield Chase- great parks and the New River is very pretty. Direct train into Moorgate, bus to Oakwood for the Piccadilly line, and potential for the Enfield Town train into Liverpool Street. You wouldn't get 3 big bedrooms where I am for 700k.b