Walthamstow?

[PeachFamily]

It's more of a simple question than an 'AIBU' but not sure where to post this.

Would you move to Walthamstow? We're a young couple, no kids si it's just the two of us. Fortunately my partner doesn't have an office as works from home or travels abroad with his work. I'm currently changing careers and by living in London I'd have loads more work opportunities. We found a house in Walthamstow that's more or less what we are looking for. But ... we don't know London well enough and was wondering what others think of it?

The house is about a 15 minute walk away from Walthamstow Central station. We have been living in a small town, not much to do here... it's been definitely very boring here and I thought Walthamstow have good transport links, easy to get anywhere. Any pros or cons? The house is near Waltham Forest.

Lol Walthamstow is in Waltham forest. At least that's what it should be as I grew up with that!
What part of Walthamstow? Need some more ideas. Some are lovely parts and others you wouldn't wanna stay around.

WHich road? There is hugeness variation and Walthamstow is pretty big.

Don't live near at James Street as that's where the stabbings happen (end of high street aka Walthamstow market). Otherwise you'll pretty much avoid the gangs.

Ive lived there 21 years and raised my daughter here. No plans to leave and I love it! My daughter has moved back as an adult. My mother enjoys visiting. I know it in depth because of the nature of my work.
It's the friendliest place I've ever lived but urban London, not suburban. It's busy, creative, multicultural. Street markets and great transport links. Poor people live here as well as a growing middle class. There is serious crime, as in all of urban London, but it rarely affects those not involved with gangs. The rest of us just concentrate on bicycle security!
But if you can't cope with the usual hassles of inner city life, then it's not for you.

I've got a friend who's lived in Walthamstow for ages and is very happy there. She says her neighbours are fantastic, and for example after the Brexit result, one neighbour made cake for everyone down the street to cheer them up. Sounds good to me!

Thanks everyone. Just wanted to clarify a couple things:
It's just me and my partner so being in a good school catchment area is not so important. We're not thinking of buying a 'forever home' in Walthamstow but more just want to be near the city.

The house we are looking at is a renovation project hence of the price. We would do it up bit by bit, add some value, live on it for a couple of years then sell.

I don't know London at all if I'm honest. We go down maybe 3-4 times a year for a weekend. Obviously I done some research but I won't know for sure until living there.

I think it's a now or never situation. We're not tied to anything. Work, kids ...nothing. And I always wanted to live in London just for the experience if nothing else.

OP "I don't know London at all if I'm honest"

Ah, I thought as much.

In that case, I would do a bit more homework into your price range and what's available. Did you actually see the house in Walthamstow, did you spend some time in the area?

There's so much variation street by street in London, I would really come down, look at two or three areas in the price range you have, and go from there.

if you are mostly going to experience central London, that has another impact on where you need to be. For a long time, my whole work and social life was in Central London and I didn't really spend any time in my local area.

@Womaningreen Yes and I have mentioned this in my op and I think further down the line in a comment too.

That's what I am trying to do. Work out the pros and cons of the area and ask people why it works /doesn't work for them.

OP, sorry if I missed it, but have you said what you think of the area? your opinion is much more important than ours!

You won’t get a house in the village or Lloyd park for 450. And they’re the nice parts. I would guess 450 would get you something in the not so nice part. Personally I wouldn’t move there. Crouch end and Harringay are also out of your budget I’d reckon - (crouch end most defintely is) unless you’re talking Harringay as in Tottenham - so st Anns road and Wood Green - also wouldn’t recommend. Enfield is an option - but stick to the left side of the A10 - you may find a small 2 bed for 450 ish but prices will be probably more towards 500 in the nice parts. Good luck!

I think in your situation it might be a good bet. Some people hate east London (as evidenced by this thread!) but if you accept it for what it is and aren't phased by a bit of grime and "grittyness" it can be a really fun and a friendly place to live, especially as a youngish and child free couple. I would visit again and check you feel comfortable getting from the tube to the house in the dark. See where the nearest pubs/restaurants etc are and generally get a feel for the area. £450 is an excellent price for a 3 bed house. On a more general note, obviously think carefully about how much the renovation will cost and how stressful it will be, but that would apply to any area of course.

I would suggest you rent for a year and get to know the area.
Personally I really like Walthamstow. But you won’t be able to get a house in an area that’s amazing for 450
Crazy though that seems

Thanks for the messages again. Really appreciate everyone's opinion/suggestions.
I have found several houses (least 5) houses in Walthamstow that's within our budget. They are all project houses but as I mentioned previously that is exactly what we are looking for. We don't want a nice house we'd like a house we can add some value of and make it our own. My partner renovated his house the one we live in right now so roughly know what it might be like to living in a house during a renovation. I'm studying interior design and have some idea of how to project manage a renovation. I'm not saying I'm an expert but do have some experience.

@Womaningreen I think I like the area. It's hard to tell after one visit. I think it could be good.

What do you do for a living? There are lots of freelance/creative types here who organise to support each other.

A goth chapter of the WI? How fab, I'd join that one.

I've lived in Walthamstow for more than 10 years, and I really like it. Having said that, obviously nobody lives lives here if they can afford Hampstead or Richmond. But I prefer it to Chingford, Leytonstone etc, and it allows me to get to work at London Bridge in 40 minutes door to door. There is a lot going on here, and easy access to pretty much anything you could want to do in central London.

But. You won't get a house anywhere near me for £450k - flats go for that. It is currently overpriced, and house prices are falling, so if you are not planning to live in London long term, you might be better renting somewhere more central. You could buy a house here, pour time and energy into improving it, and then sell for no profit if the market is falling, so what would be the point?

I totally recommend some time in London, and Walthamstow is a good bet for someone who needs to be in London long term and doesn't have much money, but in your case it might not be the right time to buy here.

@blueangel1 www.gothicvalleywi.org.uk/

If you only want to be here for a few years, and don't have to worry about school catchment areas - sack off this renovation house in zone 3 idea.

Get yourself a nice 1 bed flat in zone 1 / 2 and enjoy LONDON not fucking about an hour on public transport to get anywhere and spending all your free time sanding floors / plastering / having stress of house reno.

Its a super bad time to be buying a house in london on a short time horizon - prices are falling and like IMO walthamstow is overpriced anyway.

I live in Walthamstow. We moved here 12 years ago when it was quite rough but it has changed loads. Yes, it's a bit stabby sometimes, but it's London and there are stabbings in lots of other 'up and coming' areas too.

I wouldn't live anywhere else in London now. When our kids get big enough to go to secondary school we will leave London.

We almost bought in Walthamstow - a few of our friends live there now and I have to say I'm glad we moved elsewhere. As others have said, "the village" is nice but I doubt you'll get anything for under £450k there. The area near Lloyd Park and east of that is okay, the problem is to get there from the tube station you have to walk up Hoe St which is pretty grim. The area is very urban and there are some dodgy characters hanging about but I suppose it's no more threatening than a lot of places in London.

Have you looked at the south east around Hither Green/Lee?

Also LOLZ at the people suggesting Muswell Hill, Crouch End and Islington. You'd be lucky to get a cupboard for £450k in those areas.

I think if you want somewhere to live that's easy to get into town, Walthamstow is a good bet. It is honestly very friendly and improving, although still quite grim in parts. It's main selling point is its transport links.

*its

Also, Crouch End, no chance. Our one bed flat in Crouch was valued as more than we paid for our four bed house in Blackhorse Road.