Petersham/ Ham estates: what are they like?

[Firecrest19]

We are looking at the 50s estates in Ham and Petersham and wondered if anyone had any experience of living there?

Total transparency - at the risk of sounding dreadful - we have been lucky enough to live in a very nice part of north London for the past 15 years. We both grew up in pretty rural villages. Neither of us ever really imagined living in an estate.

However, we want to stay in the London area if we can, for London our budget isn’t huge (we can have a Victorian terrace or a nice area, definitely not both) and we really want a family home (2 small children in a very small flat atm). I think the Ham/ Petersham estates look nice, my partner is less sure (partly as he’d like something more gritty & urban).

We both love Richmond for the high street (Curzon cinema, bookshops, outdoor pool etc) and love the area for the enormous amount of green space. We’ve walked through the estates a fair bit, but can’t quite work out the vibe.

Are they safe? Friendly? Crime rate?

Has anyone ever moved to an estate having not lived on one before? What was it like? Did you fit in?

Just to be clear, it’s not the estate we have ANY issue with, we just have literally no experience of that kind of community.

Do they provide a kind of countryside/ city compromise ?

Buses, commute times etc are all fine/ good for us. We both walk and cycle a lot so quite like the additional distance between Ham and Richmond.

Anyone? X

If anyone sees this who does know the area - what are noise levels like? Is there much anti social behaviour?

I can't give you direct experiences but I walk the dog round there and it's always seemed nice to me

Thank you! What makes it seem nice in your opinion? I guess your local if you’re walking a dog around there… are the areas around it nice?

I've lived in and around the borough since 2003. I don't know if there are specific parts you're interested in?

I have a few friends who live in Ham but not sure exactly where you mean. However I also walk through there a fair bit and have never had a problem. I do know that there have been some issues (drugs/crime) but nothing unusual for a large estate.

The Ham/Petersham estates I’m thinking of are I think generally thought to be a bit dubious, crime-wise. However the very close by Tudor Drive (and surrounding roads area - a lot of 1930s housing) is popular, with good schools, and I’d have thought it pretty much as safe as anywhere locally - I used to work in the area.

Look up the crime stats on the police data base, it’s easy done.
It’s the type of crime as well so there is an occasional burglary in my I,mediate area but no anti social behaviour ever.

Thanks so much everyone.

the area we’re looking at the moment is Buckingham Road and Meadlands Drive in Petersham, and the Petersham side of Ham.

I’ve heard Tudor Drive and around is nice, but it’s a bit above our price range, and we’d prefer to be closer to Richmond, ideally.

To those referencing what is usual in a large estate - could you explain? We’re totally knew to this. How is crime different on an estate to say a dense network of residential streets? The Ham/ Petersham area felt fairly gentrified and house prices seem to be 700K and up. Does this make a difference?

I totally take your point with looking up statistics. I suppose we were after a kind of personal lived experience of what it’s like…

I’ve heard really mixed things about estates - lots of people talking about noise and crime, lots talking about safe streets and community. To me they look very similar to any area of residential housing in a big city, but I realise I might be very wrong!

any insight on this would be amazing!

thanks.

Sorry! Typo. Meant “totally new” !!

My sister lives in Ham, in one of the townhouses. She has an amazing view over Ham Lands. She absolutely loves it. She finds it quiet and safe. Children cycle on the roads and cycle paths to school. Children play in Ham Lands. They have a BMX track there.
She walks across the footbridge to Teddington for most of her shopping (M & S and Tesco) although I know there are smaller shops in Ham.

She doesn't drive and doesn't find it an issue. Walks (along tow path), buses or cycles to Richmond or Kingston. She said that if Ham had had a railway it would have been completely different (not nice). If she's going to London she either walks to Teddington railway station or Richmond.
I asked her about estates there and in Petersham and she's not sure what you mean. She lives on the Wates estate (50s townhouses) all very sought after, lots of arty people and creatives. She's surrounded by retirees and over the last 8 years or so lots of families with children (great schools) (children walk to and from school on their own)
She does say that the old Ham Estate in the very centre of Ham is being demolished and replaced.
I asked her about noise and crime - and she hasn't experienced any. Says VERY occasionally there is an aeroplane flies over from Heathrow, that's all.

I have lived in Ham for 6 years now and I love it! I used to live in Fulham, close to Chelsea and I thought it was the best, until I moved here. Now, I spend my weekends walking by the river, or walking in Richmond park, there is the Hamlands, and there is even a ferry to twickenham. There is Ham house, Ham Common, long walks galore, great air. There are buses to Richmond and Kingston, which are amazing hubs. There are great schools, and great kids activities, in and out of the river. I never thought I could live like this in London. Its true, I no longer live a stone's throw from the tube station, but then again, I work 3 days a week from home, and so I dont miss it. I feel my kids are safe here, and I really love that they didnt grow up in central London, I think it would have been hard letting them walk to school etc. The neighbours are lovely, I now know my neighbours! There is no anti-social behaviour at least nothing in comparison with Fulham, or strange people walking around, its amazing. Not many shops, but we have two German bakeries, a coupled of mini supermarkets, shops, pizzerias, and good take aways. Two thumbs up from me. PS: There is no nightlife (!), which I now really embrace!