Thinking about buying property in Streatham, London - AIBU to ask for general advice/tips on the area?

[HelloPossums]

Hi all,

I’m looking to buy in Streatham over the next few months (first-time buyer), and am looking for a house with at least 2 bedrooms.

I chose to focus on Streatham as it’s reasonably central and close to my work (in Victoria). There do seem to be really good transport links (train, bus and tube, with Balham tube only being one train stop away and Brixton tube a bus ride away) in the general Streatham area. It also seems well located for people wanting to work in the City or even more towards north London, as Streatham Common station has train links to Kings Cross.

I’ve got a budget of £550,000, so it doesn’t seem like the area around Streatham station or Streatham Hill station is an option, but I’ve found a few really nice places around Streatham Common station.

I’ve done quite a bit of research on the area, and have also visited Streatham a couple of times (more towards the Streatham station end than the Common end though), and it does seem nice.

Are there any areas I should be wary of, or is there anything I should watch out for when thinking about buying in the area?

Thanks!

Some parts of streatham vale are in merton (more in your price range), woodmansterne would be the local secondary school it's a bit of a suburban waistland imo. Dunraven is in lambeth. Some parts of norbury are croydon (also cheaper). I think perhaps you'd be looking at an ex council house in your budget in lambeth. Its very quick getting from streatham common to Victoria. However sometimes the trains are packed. Their is an aldi in balham. I'd be tempted to get off their for shopping. Their is a coop by streatham common station.

Houses round here also failing to sell. In a very naive area. Lots of people live in flats and have kids there. I think it’s Location first - a lovely garden flat in a better area a much better idea.

I like the area but with your budget, I would look towards West Norwood - you can still be in Dunraven catchment for secondary there.

As with everything London property, it depends what you want. I want to be in London properly not somewhere like Beckenham that feels more home counties but I get why people think it is nice there

If you go for Streatham, it is useful to look at bus routes and make sure you have the option of bus to tube (Brixton) as in practice, it is often more convenient than the train

I've never felt unsafe in any part of Streatham but I grew up quite near & back in the day it was pretty posh, Waitrose etc

@Pumpkinnose The OP specifically said she would like to try & add value. Considering the current economic climate I think it would be crazy for most (not all) to buy a flat. I started in a flat & sold it for almost double. The value of it hasn't really changed since I sold it. However we had to move as ran out of space, less risk of that in a house.

I want to be in London properly not somewhere like Beckenham that feels more home counties

Lol My perception is that’s it’s on the cusp of inner and outer London.

I agree - it is borderline inner and outer London, that's what I like about it!

Yes New Cross is only 10 minutes into the centre and still up and coming. More likely to get a lodger there too with the university and the City nearby.

Tbh, it’s easy to find lodgers in most places so I wouldn’t worry about that.

Beckenham was mentioned, and West Norwood. Between them is Crystal Palace. Trains to Victoria and London Bridge and Overground. Big park. Good schools.

Honestly, live closer to work and save £s and hrs by cycling. This search has a few.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/find.html?locationIdentifier=REGION%5E70312&maxBedrooms=2&minBedrooms=2&maxPrice=600000&propertyTypes=flat&primaryDisplayPropertyType=flats&mustHave=&dontShow=&furnishTypes=&keywords=

My advice is simple- don't!

I have lived in Streatham Vale for over 10 years and have never experienced any crime. Despite a few high profile cases it is really a safe area.

Thanks so much for your posts everyone!!

I think getting the bus to the tube is a great idea, and it’s something I’ve tried to prioritise when looking at transport links for the different roads in the area. I seem to be able to get the bus to Brixton tube from most of the roads I’ve looked at (takes around 20-30 mins), and also have the option of getting 1 or 2 buses into work, which will take 1 hour, which I’m happy to do.

@nosswith thanks for your post - why would you advise against it?

I’ve also checked on Rightmove/Spare Room etc, and it seems like there’s quite a lot of demand from lodgers for properties in Streatham, which is handy.

@ploopgh I visited dunraven, streatham wells, sunny hill and at leonsards last year pre lock down. I l

I'm giving away four bike helmets of varying sizes. Please contact me if you are interested. Need to go by next week.