Ideas for areas in London, nice but not naice

[NightBus]

Accidentally posted in wrong section. Posting in London now.
Currently live in London and looking to move in next couple of years. Looking for suggestions I've not thought of for areas in London that fit the following criteria:

• nice area with nice architecture (eg period properties) tree-lined streets etc
• access to good green space, large parks within walking distance (this is essential)
• either v central or excellent transport for commutes within London (45mins max to city)
• v good / excellent secondary schools
• conveniences / shops etc nearby

AND CRUCIALLY

• nice but not necessarily "naice". Not homogenous white middle class. Somewhere more diverse. Want DC's yo go to school with a diverse intake of students.

Budget for 3+ bed house would be anywhere between £750-1m ish.

OP did you not think that people recommending places might actually live there before you call them 'too rough'? And dismissing somewhere as it has 'no green spaces' when it, well, does have loads of green spaces makes me disinclined to help you. I'm not sure what 'diverse' is code for either.

I think it would be worth looking at Herne Hill, Balham, Tooting and Streatham. Maybe some parts of Peckham as well

I don't think you'll get a 3 bed in Crouch End or Muswell Hill for that, I could be wrong though!

I think Finsbury Park ticks your boxes- if you go to the east of the station towards Manor House you are between Finsbury Park, Clissold Park and Woodberry Wetlands so lots of green space. Plenty of Victorian terraces. Finsbury Park has improved but it isn't 'naice', it's not as affluent as CE or MW but it's got decent amenities and of course fantastic tube and rail connections.

@Simkin I do apologise that you were offended by my Catford comment- not my intention. I wouldn't speak to people in those terms irl but have seen places described in shorthand on these anonymous forums before, (indeed another poster did) however I spoke hastily and it was not meant to offend.

In terms of green space, Catford has Mountsfield Park which is very nice but we were hoping for something more substantial for our hobbies. In terms of diverse, there's no "code". As I explained, we are don't want to send DC to school or live in area dominantly populated by homogenous white and wealthy culture - eg places off the top of my head that are leafy such as Richmond are often less diverse than somewhere like, say, Kentish Town. That just our preference - we have our reasons and it's not meant to offend.

Chiswick, Ealing, Hanwell, Poets corner in Acton, Ravenscourt Park area of Hammersmith.

I’d look at secondary schools first. Tooting and Earlsfield and Streatham have some very good secondary schools, and have commons and substantial green areas.

I used to live in Catford. I hated it.

I second Tooting, ticks all your boxes!

Sydenham is quite nice by the way.

The villages that comprise western Milton Keynes (Loughton, Shenley Brook End, Shenley Church End) would fit the bill. The train takes 30mins to Euston, there are huge parks / lakes in almost every area, and the properties are gorgeous and a mix of newer build and period. Stony Stratford in Buckinghamshire is also a lovely little market town approx 10mins drive from MK station.

If a three bedroom flat would do you could afford the Ravenscourt Park area of Hammersmith. Estate agents like to call it Brackenbury Village. Great secondaries include West London Free School and various religious options, Ravenscourt Park on your doorstep plus walks along the Thames, friendly community, loads of families, but also a lot of diversity including amazing Arabic supermarkets on Uxbridge Rd.

Tube connection on Piccadilly, District and Hammersmith and City lines.

A property like this would get you into West London Free School and is on a Victorian tree lined street www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-83808227.html

I live in Camberwell. It does have lots of park (Burgess, Lucas gardens, Myatts Fields, Brunswick etc) but I think it is a bit rough around the edges. I don’t feel unsafe but it has a lot of social problems and the pollution is terrible. I think Myatts Fields directly around the park could suit you if you can afford it - nearer to the tube and absolutely beautiful houses, plus the park has an active community with bee keeping, lovely cafe, farmers market etc.

Given you live in Stratford already my first thought was Wanstead.

I was going to suggest Beckenham but someone beat me to it.

Amazing huge ‘country park’, outstanding secondary schools. Might be a bit white for but main secondary has a diverse intake as it’s currently got a wide catchment. 750-1m would be a good budget for a large period 3 bed though there’s a lot of nice 1930s stuff around too. Trains into London Bridge, Victoria, Blackfriars and Cannon St depending which station you travel from.

OP I am afraid I dont think you can afford what you want. In south london bits people have suggested (camberwell/dulwich/herne hill/peckham rye) close enough to the good secondary schools to be pretty much guaranteed a place you are not going to get a period 3 bed near a lovely green space. Not even for £1m unfortunately.

Unlesss very lucky you will either be edge of catchment or not period. I think you will have to go further out or compromise on house style / park / school etc etc

A bit out of the ball park but have you looked at Wembley Park? It has lovely period houses, huge regeneration and fantastic community events, trendy restaurants and the Boxpark. Excellent schools (look at the Michaela school) and well under 45 into the city on met or jubilee lines?

Blackheath or Greenwich.

Tufnell Park area near Hampstead Heath good secondaries with good mix of ethnicities etc.

Prices in London are coming down. I think Tooting/Streatham/Earlsfield is very achievable with your budget.

I live on the edge of Blackheath and Greenwich and am struggling to find non private schools that are great for my DD, so although I love it here, I wouldn’t recommend if one of your criteria is great state schools.

Beckenham ticks all your boxes OP

Apology accepted. Thank you. I more meant ladywell /Brockley direction or that area in general tbh. Good luck though.

Given you live in Stratford already my first thought was Wanstead.

My first thought was how can the OP call Catford rough when they live in Stratford?!!! Pot and kettle.

Now trying to be helpful, I'd look in the streets just to the east/north east of Victoria Park (so nearest station is Hackney Wick/Homerton but these are Overground rather than tube. Nearest tube is a 10-15 min walk). Around Lauriston Road (i.e. Victoria Park Village) is lovely but still diverse but will be over budget.

Beckenham ticks most of those boxes! Lots of beautiful parks, beautiful little town and fantastic transport links - 25 mins to London Bridge! Great for families too :)

Finchley