Advice for moving to Walthamstow

[MollyDefoe]

Hi all!
DP and I are thinking about moving to Walthamstow, tempted by the affordable property prices, good transport links, and parks. But I don't know it very well, and would love any advice! Our budget is £300K, and we need 3 bedrooms, so we probably can't afford to live in the village. But other than that, which areas would you recommend? I'd like to feel safe walking home from the tube on my own at night; and it would be nice to be close-ish to a park, and to some local shops. Any advice gratefully received!

Upper Walthamstow is nice but there is no tube there unfortunately although there is Wood Street train station with trains going into Liverpool Street.

If you were to live near Whipps cross Hospital you would be on the borders of Walthamstow and Leyton. Leyton is not so nice. But from around there you could possible walk to Snarebrook tube station which is on the central line. You would be right on the edge of Walthamstow there though.

Hi,
I live in the village, but sometimes we go for walks in and around Lloyds park. The streets around there look nice and decent. Friend of mine used to live there and always said that it felt safe and quiet for her there. About 15mins walk to the station either Walthamstow central or Black horse rd tube. I also agree with PlopPlopPing that Upper Walthamstow is nice.

I know someone who lives near Lloyds park and say it is lovely. The houses in Walthamstow are often Victorian so you get pretty streets.

I live just north of Lloyd Park and got a reasonable sized house and lovely garden for less than the price of our Stoke Newington flat. Lloyd Park area very nice - full of 1920s/30s Arts & crafts Warner houses (we are Warner) - try to buy freehold though. Tube is 20mins walk away. Lots of buses there though, and right by the North circular. Not really any shops here - post office, chemist, fish n chips and massive sainsburys. Walthamstow high st and enormous market is a 20mins walk - this is prob good for me though . Chingford isn't far either (not that I have been).

We moved here a year and a half ago, no regrets at all. Feel free to PM me if you see anything and wonder...

we're in a warner flat in the lloyd park area, i really like it. we need more space and i think weshould be able to get a 3 bed house with garden for under £250k, though it will be 20 mins or more walk from the tube. for £300k you should be able to get much closer to the tube - village borders if not village itself.

We've just bought a 2 bed house north of the Market in-between Walthamstow Central and Blackhorse Road for under £250. Spent quite a bit of time walking round before we found areas that we liked. The village is a bit pricey but you should definatley be able to get a 3 bed round Lloyd Park or the area we're moving too

Need to find a good nursery for DD, any suggestions?

I've been recommended Sugar Plum Tree on Greenleaf Road which should be near you. Am going to visit soon.

Montessori nursery, penryn ave is great. Nextvdoor to us, upper waltamstow 100 foot garden, double garage + off st parking, 3 beds 5 mins to wood st stn, 10 to village or lloyd park the other way £300 000, bargain

walthamstow is great! Does anyone know of mother/ baby groups there?

St johns Church, Chingford Rd, 10-12 thursday is lovely - free muffins! And lovely people who cuddle your baby for you while you eat them.

Rubstrol - wonder if I know you. My two went to the Penryn Ave Montessori -we have moved out of E17 now - the the country. But I did really liked living there. Spend some time wandering around - some streets much prettier/calmer etc than others - some horrible. So have a good recce first. Lots going on there - some really good stuff in the village. And still friends with our lovely neighbours who come and stay now we're rural.

Adair, can I ask are there any religious undertones at the St Johns Church toddler group? As an atheist I'm really wary of anything that takes place in a church, but really need to start getting out to toddler groups. Thanks!

Aha Adair, I've been wondering if I know you as we live close to each other - I must do as I go to the group too! I will be there this morning - should we have a funny handshake or something to recognise each other?

Angrytree it normally doesn't have any religious content, but the vicar does normally pop in to say hi, and one week recently he did do a little talk.

BTW this is my Tsarina nickname not my normal one.

There is another toddler group on at the Salvation Army on Forest Road on a Thursday morning, 9.30-11.30. It's a bit busier than the St John's one, but has a nice singalong time at the end.

There are various other toddler groups around - I've been adding some of them to the local listings page as and when I have time.

After having looked at your profile, Adair, I've figured out who you are - I'll make myself known this morning!

Sorry, I'm hogging this thread. Betterthanchocolate, have you found a nursery yet? I wasn't mad keen on Sugar Plum Tree. Montessori (and Chapel End) are meant to be good, but they both start from 2 up. We have opted for Higham Hill in the end - DS starts in two weeks time. I have heard so much great stuff about it, I'm really pleased with our choice.

Eeekk... a real-life Mumsnetter! Everyone usually looks at me like this when I mention it... we are on our way, just slowly... see you soon

Thanks for the info Stowlen. I've heard good things about the Salvation Army one but could never remember when it was. We're near Lloyd Park too, so will give one of them a try next week.

I'll keep an eye on the listings page. I'd love to hear about other morning groups - we hardly ever make it to the Lloyd Park Centre one as I find by the time we've had lunch, done a nappy change etc it's too late to go.

Hi Stowlen (Tis I BetterThanChocolate with my new Tsarina nickname :) )

Not found a Nursery yet. Due to vist Sugar Plum next week and also going to pop into Lloyd Park and Higham Hill (although when i spoke to them they said waiting lists were big.) Also a friend mentioned one down Coppermill Lane that i want to check out. I've been a bit laid slack but as im starting work again this week i better pull my finger out. DD currently with Grandparents

We've checked out a few Toddler Groups. The Limes is fantastic. Its on a Tues and Thurs from 9.30-11.30. Amazing outside space, softplay and sensory room. DD loved it. #5 membership for the year and then #2 persession.

We've also been to one at Mission Grove Children's Centre, it was okay but the room felt very small and cramped as it was raining so all the kids couldnt go outside.

Hoping to check out Lloyd Park and the Walthamstow Toy Libary this week.

Will try and add stuff as we find it

Oops! I didnt use my new Tsarina name but hopefully should now

yup, waiting lists are pretty horrific. We got on the waiting list for Lloyd Park (we live just over the road) in Feb 2010 when i was 16 weeks pregnant, and they have said we might get a place in January, possibly. Luckily we didn't realise they'd put us on the Higham Hill waiting list at the same time, so we got to the top of the list just as we started looking.

I've heard good things about the Limes, never been though, and i'll be working on those days from august onwards. We went to the under 18 months session at the toy library a couple of times but it (like the Lloyd Park group) clashes with naptime.

good luck with work!

Hi ladies ,
We have recently moved into the area near St James Street Station. There seems to be a lot of families moving into the area , lots of house renovation on our road.
I have been meaning to go to The Limes, is it any good?
There is also Low hall children's centre on Queen's rd that has a lot going on.
Barn Croft School have a stay and play group on Wednesday morning 9.30 - 11 but thats closed for summer now. Will start again second week in September.
There is also Walthsmstow toy library in the village but I haven't been there yet.
Think the library have a few things on in the mornings as well.
Can I ask is the forest road group in the Salvation army shop? Sorry if that is a silly question. :)

great advice fio!