Best north-east London areas for commute, schools and a leafy feel

[lauracharris]

We are looking at areas to move to in north/north-east London. We like the idea of the central line bit between Woodford and Loughton. Priorities are - good commute into central London/Canary Wharf; leafy and close to countryside; nice town with enough going on (doesn’t need to be a metropolis but also not super boring); close to good nurseries/schools; not too far drive to Totteridge (where my family is). We visited Loughton and thought it seemed nice but I have also heard this is very “TOWIE”-vibes (which we didn’t experience, but I wonder if it would be more like that on a Saturday night!). Is Chingford nice, for example? Woodford? We didn’t particularly love Buckhurst Hill but were only there for a short while. Grateful for any advice, please!

What about the area near your parents, Totteridge, Whetstone, New Barnet, Barnet in general, or towards Southgate? New Southgate, Arnos Grove, Bounds Green?

We are in the area and my son works in Canary Wharf, he gets there in an hour and the good thing is that there are different alternatives for strikes or other issues. He can take the Piccadilly Line, Northern Line or overground.

Have you considered Highams Park. It's not as "Essex" as further out!

Wanstead. 3 stops from Stratford. Leafy, great village shops and definitely not Towie.