Loughton / Walthamstow Village

[Mimosa1]

Hi all,

DH and I are contemplating a move out of Zone 2 to Loughton or Walthamstow - more space for the kids, etc. I loathe commuting by could hack it 2 or 3 days week as my office isn't going back to full time office working any time soon or possibly ever. I'd love to hear from anyone who has moved to either place for pros and cons. It's a big decision !

Thanks very much!

Shamelessly bumping my own thread! Help :-)

Walthamstow VILLAGE??

They are very different places! Walthamstow Village is an estate agents name for a very small enclave in Walthamstow. The area is lovely (and expensive) but wider Walthamstow is more varied. It's vibrant and now extremely trendy, but it's still pretty gritty in places. Loughton is basically Essex. It's prosperous and very green (on the edge of Epping Forest) but in my view lacks character - you certainly wouldn't feel like you were living in London, which may be a good or bad thing for you. Commute wise Walthamstow is far better connected by Public Transport whilst Loughton is quite a way down the Central line which is its only link into London.

Yes, definitely estate agent speak

Very different. Loughton is cheaper so you would get more house for your money but it's much more suburban than Walthamstow. Walthamstow village is a tiny part of Walthamstow and very expensive.

IMO Buckhurst Hill, Theydon Bois and Epping are nicer than Loughton.

Thanks. DH wants Loughton and I'd prefer being nearer the more tube options so Walthamstow seemed like a good idea. Very few green spaces around there is really the bit putting me off plus even if you wanted to spend more money, the houses are small - but so pretty gaah! I know I sound like a lunatic (keep flip flopping about this at home as well). We've seen a gorgeous house in Loughton so I suppose we're leaning towards there but I'm really nervous about moving out. Has anyone else made the trek? Do you like it? Would love hear pros and cons. Thanks.

We looked at buying there and actually made an offer but got gazumped and I'm glad now. Like I said above it's Essex really and I think I would have felt cut off from London proper. The High Street is quite chain led with fewer independent shops and restaurants and aside from the High Street it's quite suburban -no pockets of local shops or neighbourhood pubs.
The housing stock is also mixed with quite a lot of 60's housing as all these places along the Central line were really just little villages until relatively recently.
Commute wise, I guess you are looking at 40 mins to Liverpool Street on the tube. You are far enough up the Central line to get a seat but it's not a pleasant journey as the tube gets so busy - even in these times the Central line from the East is rammed.

It's actually only about 25 minutes from Loughton to Liverpool Street on the tube.

'Walthamstow Village' always makes me lol personally I would choose Loughton any day of the week, much safer and generally more pleasant...also as pp said, very close to Epping forest so lots of nice places to walk etc (and ducks to feed if you have young DC )

Not meaning to be pedantic, but I live in Wanstead so about 10 -15 mins up the line, and it's a good 20 mins to Liverpool Street from here, so it's got to be around 35 -40 from Loughton

I go through Loughton on my journey and it does take just over 25 minutes. TfL planner says 27. I think the commute if you're travelling to East London is actually not that bad from Loughton.

I still wouldn't choose to live their myself though. I will sound like a snob but it is very 'The Only Way is Essex'. It's a bit like that where I am too but Loughton is worse. Buckhurst Hill is a stop closer and I think is nicer but has fewer facilities.

Buckhurst Hill is way nicer than Loughton. Definitely check it out.

Got family in Loughton, l always think it is a nice little place to visit. To live there l think would be a good compromise - nice High Street so you can get what you need but the city is very accessible plus Epping forest very near.

I’ve sent you a PM op

Walthamstow Village is a lovely enclave in the midst of not so lovely Walthamstow. I love the Village and I would characterise it as a left leaning, hipster bubble. Its very handy to the City, 25 something minutes on the overground to Liverpool St. The Victoria line is pretty speedy to the West End but it is packed in the mornings. Depends whether you can tolerate the less charming bits of Walthamstow or not?!

I live between the two, closer to Walthamstow. They're completely different areas, I wouldn't have thought the same people would be interested in both at all. Loughton is very TOWIE atmosphere but lovely walks and rides in the forest (although you can still get that in a 10-15 minute drive from much further in), very white (there are a few non-English people around and they're mostly white). Walthamstow ('Village' ) is a London atmosphere, a lot of Hackney-style young hipsters with a run down element that hasn't been erased as much as in Hackney. Vibrant place to be, lots of diverse ethnic and other mixes, good schools, not much green space - although, as mentioned, plenty within easy driving distance.

To my mind, if you're prepared to move as far out as Loughton, there are plenty of nicer places for the money. I would look around a bit more. [I mean, I personally would go for Walthamstow, but if I were interested in Loughton then I would look around more]

Also, if you hate commuting, I would try it from both locations if I were you. Although I prefer Walthamstow in general, I would take the Central Line over the Victoria Line any day.

If you like walthamstow village than for the love of God do not move to loughton. They are completely different. Equally if you like loughton I doubt walthamstow (village or not would be the place for you. Buckhurst hill is nice. Don't move to theydon Bois. And if you don't like commuting definitely don't move to Epping because it's really really far.

I think you'd like Wanstead OP. Beautiful park, nice High Street, lots of young m/c lefties. Kind of in between walthamstow and loughton

Resident I’ve lived in both here, hello (name change, obviously)

I left Walthamstow for Loughton and it’s the best decision I could have made. Please don’t tar it with the TOWIE brush that’s very lazy and inaccurate. Represents about 2% of the population of the area. No more TOWIE types here than any other area within 5 miles.

It’s incredibly green, clean and friendly. Great high street that is improving not closing down. We have a Gails, a ginger pig, an amazing new organic supermarket that’s recently opened. The schools are brilliant, the housing stock beautiful. Close to zero crime. It’s like living in a village but only 25 mins into the city.

Walthamstow, you’d have to drag me back kicking and screaming. I’m a creative, mid 30s, kids, whatever name you’d like to give a certain type of person and I wouldn’t couldn’t raise my children there with the level of crime that was on our doorstep.

We’ve been so lucky to have the forest and everything it has to offer and a close helpful community during this weird time. I consider my neighbours some of my closest friends and 4 years in Walthamstow I couldn’t tell you the name of anyone on my street.

Loughton is expensive. But worth every penny. Like for like more expensive housing than Walthamstow now by a long stretch.

Agree on above. Don’t move to Epping. It is far. On the plus side of commuting the trains often start at Loughton so every 15 mins you will find an empty one.

Woodford and Wanstead might be worth a look for middle ground. Woodford is cheaper than Loughton.

On a final note, whatever you do if you move to Epping Forest district seriously look into council tax before offering. It’s eye watering.

We left Walthamstow area 6 years ago and wild horses couldn’t drag me back! What about north chingford? Mainline to Liverpool Street or 2 stops from Walthamstow. Lovely village feel and small high street and the first on your doorstep!

Thanks everyone - I know it's sounds weird to be looking at both, but they make sense for our commutes iyswim. One being better for me, the other for DH.

I'll check out Wanstead and Chingford too. We've just spent the day in Loughton and had a lovely pick nick in the forest.

Sat in a cafe in loughton as I type this. Love loughton although I don't live here but come here a few times a week. Live nearby in similar place. Summary.. lived in e17 (walthamstow) 20 years ago for 5 years. HATED it. Lots of scary depressing shit expetienced. I think of it as a dog turd with some lively houses thrown in hence 'village area' where lots from stoke newington/Islington have moved from.

In direct contrast I think of places like Epping theydon bois and abridge (although you need a car) as 'grown up'/very straight and 'un edgy' which i love. Feels a lot safer. Some great schools. Blessed to live on top of a beautiful forest. Feels more friendly with good community spirit and neighbourly experience certainly been my experience compared to walthamstow. Best of luck with your decision