Good areas to live in North / East London

[Jade0]

Hi All
I’m hoping to get some ideas on here after exhausting this conversation with every friend and colleague I have! We live in Stoke Newington and love it but we’d like to move further out so that we can get a bigger garden and also be able to escape London at weekends more easily (currently it’s about an hour before we reach the M25). Great schools, lovely area and a strong community are all important. We’re working parents with an almost 3YO and we likely won’t know anyone in the area we move to.
We’re considering areas in North and East London. So far we like the look of Wanstead as it has a villagey feel but you can get into (and out of) central London quite quickly. Downside is that it’s on the central line. Walthamstow ticks a lot of boxes but we just don’t like the area (except the tiny village bit).
Are there any other areas you would recommend we look at?
Thanks so much in advance!
Jade

Hi!

I live here..... I would look at

Wanstead, South Woodford, Woodford green, woodford bridge - possibly Buckhurst Hill (not sure what your budget is) if you're looking that way then also Loughton, Epping, Theydon Bois

There are all on the central line - but depending where you buy you wouldn't be on top of the station.

I don't see the central line as a downside... it's hot and noisy but it's so well connected to everything and it does work most of the time! When it's broken it can be a problem the further out you go, as there are fewer options and the buses aren't as good. But from Wanstead you can get to Manor Park (Elizabeth line / overground) and Wood Street (overground) depending on where you live. Or there's a bus that goes to Stratford from Wanstead station or Leytonstone. None of these options are ideal in rush hour but you can usually make something work.

Thanks Nearlythere30 that’s all really helpful! I’ll take a look at some of those options. Which areas are your favourites? My feeling is that if you’re going to w on the central line then Wanstead is the one?!

What is your budget? Wanstead is lovely but you tend to get less space for your money compared with South Woodford / Woodford Green / parts of Woodford. I don't know Buckhurst Hill so well.

Rosemarypots, thanks for these ideas.
We did walk around Manor Park and Leytonstone and these weren’t for us.
Regarding the Central line, it’s not the worry of it breaking down, it’s just that it’s so busy and loud, often no lifts (annoying with a buggy) etc. It’s not a deal breaker but since we want to live in this area for years to come we want to consider all the pros and cons.
thanks :)

No worries. South Woodford station is step free as is Stratford, and lightweight buggies tend to be fine to carry up and down steps and escalators in my experience, but obviously it's each to their own!

Woodford station Is also step free :-)

Wanstead is nice - I think it's slightly more expensive - South Woodford is right next door to it (I prefer South Woodford & Woodford)
South Woodford has amazing schools - it's generally a fight to get into the 3 primary schools there because they are all amazing.

Also, remember the ULEZ - if you have a car that's something to consider.
They're all pretty much the same type of feel if I'm being honest - just which of the area you prefer to be around - which is down to your personal preference :-)

Good tips on the Woodfords, we’ll explore those areas. We walked around a lot south of Wanstead but haven’t made it north yes so that’ll be the next stop.
Thanks for the info on schools as well, we’ll have to be wary of the catchment areas!

It's worth checking Ilford. We love it. See related thread:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/property/4882096-east-london-750k-area-advice?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share