Upminster Area has gone downhill

[Bunintumm]

We were considering moving to this area however a few friends already living in Upminster/Hornchurch have advised us to look outside of London as since after Covid the area has gone downhill with lots of car theft/muggings etc.
im torn as the schools both primary and secondary are good and I’m currently pregnant (well less than 6 weeks) so am thinking long term too. Advice welcome.

I actually now don’t understand what you want from anyone commenting? You’ve asked if Upminster/Hornchurch is akin to the favelas of Brazil in terms of the danger/crime rate which neither is. You’ve had people confirming that what you have been told is not really accurate, You’ve then had alternatives suggested which may suit your budget ( I am assuming that you are not looking at properties on the Fairway or along Parkstone Avenue) and you’ve had advice which says well yes, Cranham/Rainham/Rush Green/Harold Hill/Collier Row areas of Havering are not as salubrious as other areas. Do you want people to persuade you that what you have been told is incorrect or agree with you?

Perhaps if you posted in the Property forum or on a local platform you'd get answers that you might perceive as more helpful.

It was always been rough

Please expand on this

So the people that know it and live there aren't to be trusted. You literally only want to hear from anyone who is going to confirm what you've been told. It absolutely wasn't rough at all in the 1990s and I don't think that's a fair description now. I don't live anywhere near it now, if that helps, but I pass through about 4 times a year.

I live locally and have visited Upminster for various reasons for forty years. Would live there in a heartbeat if I could afford too

I think like a pp said it used to be des res.

That's not the case at all.

I lived in Dagenham a few years ago - it's a dump and I wouldn't have denied that to anyone who said they wanted to move there. In fact I would advise against it.

One of my children live in Hornchurch and the other lives in Upminster. They both like where they live and the grandchildren go to good schools.

Posters here in the main who live there are saying it's a nice area, my kids would agree. Why don't you visit the area and see for yourself, then you can make your own decision.

I think that anywhere is nicer than Dagenham so that’s not really a good comparison.
Someone living in South Kensington may think Upminster/hornchurch are horrendous in comparison!

Billericay is still ok. Apart from a few too many Londoners. Avoid Basildon at all costs though

Well if can. Basildon and Billericay are just up the road from each other but worlds apart in area. I've got friends who have now moved out of Elm Park after living there for 2 decades

I wasn't comparing Dagenham to Upminster. I was pointing out that people are giving their honest opinion about the area they live in.

Would you like me to simply confirm the information you’ve been given, or are you looking for actual opinions on the area? I live in Hornchurch, near Harrow Lodge Park, and I absolutely love it. Everything I need is close by, and I'm just a short distance from stations that make commuting into London easy — I work in the city two days a week. Like any area, there are parts that are considered 'better' or 'worse,' but overall, Hornchurch is a wonderful place to live. Upminster, too, is a great neighboring area with a lot to offer.

OP are you getting all arsey because you can't afford to live in Upminster so want everyone to tell you how shit it is to make you feel better?

Not at all

I lived there from age of 0-25. Moved to London then decided to have children. Moved back to Upminster because it is a safe area, has excellent schools and lovely properties. Easy to commute to London. I guess it's different maybe from when I was a child , it was always seen as a very middle class area and the demographic has become more varied but in my opinion that is a good thing. It sounds like you only want to hear people with negative views. I don't have any. Probably best you look elsewhere.

Not at all I’m sure it used to be nice

You have several people telling you how nice it is like I have just done so. But you disagree even though you do not live there yourself. Very odd.

I’ve read a lot and heard a lot!

I think it's best if we refrain from responding to OP. It's clear she’s only interested in hearing opinions that align with her own. These posts are obviously coming from people like myself, who live in the area. As some of you have suggested, it’s possible that OP simply cannot afford to live here, which might explain the repeated need for validation of what she claims to have been told

Havering is the most affordable borough! It’s been officially reported!

What are you hoping to achieve from this thread OP?

I can assure you OP it really isn't. I am genuinely so interested to hear why you're so keen for to hear negative responses. It's very odd.

Completely agree.

‘Havering’ includes Harold Hill. Rush Green, cranham,, rainham and Elm Park. It also includes Upminster , Gidea Park, Emerson Park and Hornchurch, In terms of affordability they are a long way apart. I suspect the OP has Harold Hill money but wants to live in Upminster.

You are statistically more likely to be the victim of the theft of your phone or nice watch in Mayfair or South Kensington. I expect the OP doesn’t want to hear that either.

Folks, can I suggest we all agree to bite our tongues and let this thread die on the vine? (And just keep our fingers crossed that OP does not become our new neighbour?)