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Original poster

Would you buy in Barking?

77 replies

AuraofDora · 16/05/2013 19:45

Got offer on a great house just need to canvas some opinion on the area is it okay or would you not go there ?
It wasn't our first choice of area looking at forest gate east ham but can't get much bigger than we have here e17
Please help me decide...

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Southeastdweller · 16/05/2013 22:03

Heard it's a dump and crime is high. I don't like East London much anyway, most areas anyway.

Was going to mention the B.N.P link. That alone would deter me.

One of the cheapest areas in London to buy - I think the cheapest - apparently. No wonder.

Original poster
AuraofDora · 16/05/2013 22:04

I wonde how difficult to sell

The was a lot of leafy roads near our place, the houses looked cared for..the sort of thing that is missing round he in mattri land

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Original poster
AuraofDora · 16/05/2013 22:07

I would be scared to look at the crime figures for here tbh, the cops are always shrieking about, w have homeless under the arches aft being moved on from outside Sainsburys sharing space with the rats
Everyone dumps their crap outside, and people piss in the parks

..and I'm priced out of here! Oh hell

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Southeastdweller · 16/05/2013 22:14

But you've got the fab Victoria Line on your doorstep, as well as there being things to do locally. Not like in Barking.

Original poster
AuraofDora · 16/05/2013 22:23

We have 2 bed apartment and would like a little more space and garden. every one dumps their shit outside our apartment block the council are next to useless. We have had two fights at school this week - the mums fighting not the kids!

There is a lot I like about here but the general way people treat the area is appalling, we are not in the village, nor could we eve afford it...

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Southeastdweller · 16/05/2013 22:44

The words 'Frying pan' and 'fire' springs to mind...

2tired2bewitty · 16/05/2013 22:47

You lot really don't seem to be describing the town i live in Hmm

Original poster
AuraofDora · 16/05/2013 22:55

Yes I can see that... I guess this is the frying pan I know and the fire would be with extra bedroom and a garden!

I will go and have a scout round again tomorrow after work, was there on Sunday cycling round, it just seemed so quiet...

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Original poster
AuraofDora · 16/05/2013 22:57

2tired..it was not the impression I got either...tube was bit inner city gritty town centre much like Walthamstow, even had a market and our street is really quiet

I feel quite confused, will have another look round tomorrow

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Original poster
AuraofDora · 17/05/2013 09:34

Anyone from Barking in the morning crowd?

I'm really looking for anyone living there at the moment, like 2tired

Can anyone help me with their real impressions and opinions based on experience, purhlease!

thanks

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Original poster
AuraofDora · 17/05/2013 10:05

Anyone out there who can help?

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Thisisaeuphemism · 17/05/2013 10:10

I'm further down the train line- they say barking is improving...however it has a poor reputation here still...a friend finds it scarey at night -(tho true of many places maybe?)

DownstairsMixUp · 17/05/2013 10:14

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Original poster
AuraofDora · 17/05/2013 10:27

thanks for being straight with me, it is appreciated.

I think a lot of places can be a bit alarming at night, there were a few characters around when we were there but is the area near the tube where most drug dealing takes place do you think?

It's the racist thing is one of the things that I am really rather worried about, the area seems mixed when wandering around but no I could bear that kind of attitude.

We need access to Walthamstow for DH's job so going further east is bit impractical
Schools to be honest the schools for boys in Waltham Forest dont foster much hope either. Was looking at Robert Clack School which looked okay, will check out Barking Abbey and see if we are in the catchment. Our place is right next to Eastbury.

A couple of Asian families from DS's school have moved there, they said they were worried before but it seems to have worked out for them, though i scan the playground I dont seem to be able to catch up with them

I dont expect anyone to wax lyrical but general feeling is a no go area then?

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Original poster
AuraofDora · 17/05/2013 10:42

any more?

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TheCokeMachine · 17/05/2013 10:59

I wouldn't move there. DH is Newham born and bred, we lived in Walthamstow for 14 years. Newham is more deprived than Waltham Forest, the schools and hospitals are worse. I would see it as a step down for you. I think the detail that people have provided about violence are racism rings true.

What about Barkingside or Newbury Park - not the poshest of areas, but nicer than Barking and in Redbridge so the schools and local council are good. The secondary schools are way better than LBWF and Newham.

It's also just a quick bus ride on on the 123 into Walthamstow, or about 10 mins if you drive.

Thisisaeuphemism · 17/05/2013 11:22

Some kids in Barking take the eleven plus and get into the Southend grammar schools...

Notyetthere · 17/05/2013 11:59

The only good schools in the area are Barking Abbey and All Saints but then they at very competitive. We are in East ham and we were looking at secondary schools for my brother; my mum is a practising catholic which is why my brother got a place at all saints even if we were a good 8miles from the school. I do know people who lived closer but did not get into All Saints.

The thing about racism normally stems from social housing requirements where there is an air of that ''immigrants are given top priority to get housed compared to 'native' British folks''; you will find done really angry people who feel had done by their council.

I know a few girls from my secondary school in Newham who ended up as 'young mums' and most of them have been rehoused in Barking.

Original poster
AuraofDora · 17/05/2013 12:56

Thisisa.. Southend Grammar schools, will check that out - must be quite a journey each day though?

DH hoped we could still try for Ilford County High School, but that is going to be a journey too

Notyetthere... I cycled round the area on Sunday and spoke to Asian bloke doing up his fence in nearby street, he was saying it was okay but not to go 'over there' pointing across the tracks.

I'm going to take the tube in after work tonight, am not feeling good about this at all.

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DownstairsMixUp · 17/05/2013 13:05

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Original poster
AuraofDora · 17/05/2013 13:13

Thanks Downstairs

Just been looking at Barking Abbey, which is reassuring, and quite close to where we were planning to go, so there might be chance DS would get in there...

We are looking at the Faircross Estate, but it's near Longbridge Road, maybe too near..

DH says the town centre is due to be renovated, it was a bit grim when we were there, but mind you so is Walthamstow, the market has been run into the ground and there is a huge pointless tv on 24/7..

The social housing does sound the problem, there are plenty huge tower blocks as you drive in

It sounds like it would be hard to sell if we had to move on

oh bugger

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mummytime · 17/05/2013 13:28

I think you would be well outside Ilford/Woodford County High's catchment there. Robert Clack is still supposed to be a good school I had heard, but has a tiny catchment in Dagenham.
Barking is not Newham BTW.

Original poster
AuraofDora · 17/05/2013 13:33

Mummytime, according to their map Ilford County High School we are just in, by about a millimetre!

Robert Clack looked very aspirational and organised. Barking Abbey looks good but DS is not sporty but very good at IT, won awards etc for it

Would prefer him to go local so he can have some time to himself each day and make friends too but am now so unsure of all this moving stuff - we only wanted a bit more space and a garden

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Thisisaeuphemism · 17/05/2013 14:49

Re schools - yes, it's prob over an hour door to door to Westcliff or southend high - but kids do come from barking. It's causing a lot of controversy in the town that nearly 50% kids are from out of catchment.

I agree with downstairs really, for a family life upminster, hornchurch etc might be better

ticklemyboobsofsteel · 17/05/2013 15:29

I've lived in Rush Green (Romford) for the vast majority of my life - moved away a few times but always ended up back there. I live West Sussex now, and I wouldn't move back. And I wouldn't like to live in Barking to be honest. I used to get the tube from there as it was zone four whereas Romford is zone 6, and I never got a particularly good vibe.

Robert Clack school is a very good school - I went there when I was a teen :) It's improved much more since then, with the headteacher being knighted for the school's transformation from a failing school to Ofsted outstanding. It specialises in science and maths I think. I was very lucky to get in though, and as aforementioned, the catchment area for Dagenham is small.

I'd probably steer more towards Hornchurch or Upminster and steer well clear of Barking and Dagenham Heathway. But that is purely personal opinion.