Where would you live in SW London?

[DancingLady]

Currently live SE London, but my mum is in her 70s and it takes an hour to drive or get train to her house. Thinking of moving SW to be closer to her - considerations are:

good schools
3-4 bed house with garden for under £425k
within half a mile of a station for commute to London

I realise our budget would rule out a lot of the really nice bits (Putney, Wimbledon). Any suggestions? What's Tooting like nowadays (it was pretty horrible when I was growing up in SW London).

New Malden, perhaps? Though I appreciate that's technically Surrey.

I think Tooting might be a bit pricey now?

How about Streatham?

I think you'd struggle to get a house of that size in Streatham for £425k. The Mitcham end of Tooting might still be within grasp for privately-built houses - council-built houses would be within your range in many areas.

Don't like Mitcham - think it's a bit rough, tbh!

And yes, rather stay in London, so think New Malden would be out. Anyone have knowledge of Colliers Wood, what's that like now?

It's shot up from the Tooting/Wimbledon overspill but generally pretty uninspiring (sorry, CWers): shabby high street, horrible traffic and soulless retail parks. Have you thought about Morden at the end of the Northern Line which is a bit cheaper?

Thanks. Yes did consider Morden but again that's a bit grey and uninspiring!

Having just looked at a map of south London, I'm thinking even Crystal Palace or Sydenham would be good - it'd cut the drive to my mum's from 1 hour to about 35 mins.

Crystal Palace is ok - it's got the dinosaurs and new overground connection. Would you get a house there for that though?

Is Bromley possible? (although technically Kent I think)

I flipping love Crystal Palace! It is the best place in SE London at the moment, has a really good vibe about it (apologies for hippyish terminology). It has a reasonable high street with a mix of loads of interesting independent shops and a few chains, amazing views and apparently someone has invested in creating a new Crystal Palace. One of these days someone will come up with a reasonable solution to all the traffic in the very centre. I am convinced it is the new place to be. Try for there or Annerley.

Anerley heh heh.

Mark my words ...

You might just get a house near tooting overground station for that if you are quick (prices seem to be shooting up). Nice area, primary schools generally good. If you were looking for catchment of graveney (secondary) you probably wouldn't have much luck. Good transport links.

Any chance you could take over your mum's house (is that the house you grew up in?) and then find a small flat near that for her to live.

Thanks all.

CP/penge/annerley would be in budget I think, and I do really like CP. Bromley a bit far out.

My mum's in an assisted living flat (for over 55s, caretaker on site) so no option of us living there!

My friend has just moved to Ham, Richmond-upon-Thames and says it's a little secret place. She absolutely loves it - it's between Kingston and Richmond and across the walking bridge to Teddington. She gets the train from Teddington which is a 20 minute walk as she works in Waterloo. She bought one of these (done up) - look at the floor plan! It's also got a garage. www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-41473150.html

oh and the school her son goes to Grey Court (?) has just been given Ofsted's highest rating

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-27123930.html

No no no, don't move to Morden, it is grim and horrible, wasted four years of my life there, we've lived all over the place ( now in Oz) and it's the only place I've hated. All the nice places like Wimbledon , Kingston etc tend to be expensive sadly, that's why we moved way ( to Ireland).sorry I can't be more helpful, just wanted to tell you to avoid Morden, it's one of my life's missions.

Oh yes Ham is nice, but isn't it quite expensive?

Ham is odd. A load if posh people and a load of not very posh at all people in council housing. Both bits seem to live dide by side without aknowledging the others existance. Very odd.

Sounds like most places I know ablababab

Oooh glastocat - I think I know you. I'll PM you

Could your Mum not move closer to you?

Ham sounds nice but out of my price range I think.

knock she lives near all her friends, if the part of london she's been in for over 40 years, so I couldn't expect her to move closer to me, unless she was actually going to live with me. and I don't want to go down that route yet :)