Walthamstow or Surbiton?

[Doralice]

Can anyone tell which area is better for our next house?

We are a couple in our late 30s and planning to have kids. Currently we are in Walthamstow with a small flat, would like to get a bigger house. We are thinking about somewhere with good nurseries and schools, green areas and easy commute to central London. Not sure if we should stay in Walthamstow or move to SW like Surbiton?

We are Asian/European couple, so really like the diverse community in Walthamstow, and I’m a creative have my studio here too. DH is working in central, so the victoria line is great! However the houses in Walthamstow is getting very overpriced, and nurseries are super hard to get (we heard there’s a one-year waiting list) and also not sure about schools. Some teens on our street got robbed last year by some older college kids, made us not sure about staying here.

We have been looking at Surbiton or further areas in Surrey. Our parents from Asia and Europe come visit a lot, so it’s nice to be closer to Heathrow and Gatwick. Wondering if it’s a good idea to move? How is the commute like? Are nurseries and schools good?

Thank you!!

If only there was a way you could visit Surbiton to see what it’s like. As you are in Walthamstow that just isn’t possible.

So rude.

Surbiton is lovely but it’s not London. Also, I would expect it to be more or as expensive as Walthamstow. I think it’s the grammar school system there, which is fine but your kids are up to it, or private.

Surbiton is more suburban than Walthamstow. It is fairly diverse, but probably not as much as Walthamstow.

I can't talk about the schools, except to say that there seem to be an awful lot of them!

It's next to the river which is nice. It has fast trains to Waterloo (16 minutes at peak times), if that is convenient to you both.

We loved Walthamstow but when we needed a bigger place we were just prices out! We’ve moved to Tottenham and have to say I love it ! Was worried but we’ve settled right in with our kids and met heaps of families and made loads of friends and fitted into the community.

think it’s getting better all the time.

i wouldn’t leave London personally but could see why you would!

if I could afford Walthamstow I’d definitely be staying there if I was you!!

Walthamstow.

Surbiton is a lot more expensive than W, and less diverse. What made you specify Surbiton specifically?

What about Highams Park or up into North Chingford? Good schools at primary and secondary, easy commute into central and just beside what you are familiar with in terms of Walthamstow.

I’ve lived in Walthamstow and had two close friends (both Asian actually) who lived in Surbiton so I did stay for a night now and again and out of the two places I’d say Surbiton but only if you can deal with the commute - trains are so unreliable in this country.

Personally I find Walthamstow a bit too gritty for my liking!

I agree with others that you might want to look at other options altogether.

There is a larger Asian community in New Malden which is right next to Surbiton. Surbiton is very nice and both close to Kingston

Prices have stagnated in Walthamstow the past few years so you may get lucky with a house. I think your two suggestions are poles apart and generally east London is still cheaper than SW anyway.

Nurseries are mad in Walthamstow but there are more options opening up and most people end up with something. You do have to register early, be really on it with chasing a place and be prepared to be a bit flexible. The reason for the struggle is the explosion in young families and for me that’s a big plus in its favour. Primary schools are fine and who knows how things will have changed by the time your not yet conceived DS is at secondary school.

Surbiton covers a really big area. Some of it is actually quite far out and not on the fast train line. Friends of ours lived near the centre there and loved it, then moved further out towards Tolworth when they wanted more space and hated it. I like Surbiton generally but do think about transport links.

I’m near Surbiton, it’s mainly flats in the centre with houses in the environs like Berrylands and Tolworth. Neither is very pretty.

there is a very big Korean community in New Malden.
I think Surbiton is lovely but personally I would find it a bit boring and not gritty enough!

Surbiton everyday. There's a fair few people who are far east Asian around, around maple road is lovely. Very safe and lots of green space

Surbiton, hands down. Pricey, though.