Wanstead Flats vs Walthamstow Village

[Nickname1980]

I posted a thread asking what it's really like to live in Walthamstow... now I've love to get your advice about Wanstead Flats!

I'll be honest, I've never been. A friend told me it's lovely and I'm going to explore this weekend. From a scout on Google Maps, the houses look lovely and the green all around looks like such a bonus.

We're a growing family, what's it like to live there?

Is there a community vibe?

Which are the best streets?

What about shops and cafes and so on?

And anyone got an opinion on how it compares to living in Walthamstow Village?

I live in Forest Gate, in what is now referred to by estate agents as 'the village' area. It's to the south of Wanstead Flats (Wanstead Flats itself is just the area of common land / green space).
I think it's a lovely, lovely place to live. Great housing stock of Victorian family-sized houses. Larger ones in the conservation area, the Woodgrange Estate, which is slightly south of the 'village' area, but the odd larger house in the village, too. Lots of families. Lovely community vibe.
I haven't spent much time in Walthamstow, but from a brief visit I would say that Walthamstow village is much more 'up and come' than Forest Gate is. Forest Gate might be like Walthamstow village in a few years' time, but there is some way to go yet. This has advantages and disadvantages, of course.
There is a lot in the pipeline for Forest Gate: crossrail is coming in 2017, a new pizza restaurant is hoping to open soon, there is talk of a yoga studio and a ceramics cafe in the arches on Avenue Road. We already have a couple of cafes, and lots of community activity. House prices have gone up a lot already (I scan Rightmove just because I am nosey, and am already fainting a little at how much prices have gone up in the last year or so) but show no signs of stopping. Playgroups are stuffed full of people who have moved out of Hackney /Stoke Newington / Clapton, all incredulous that they sold their flats and bought an entire house here in Forest Gate for the same price.
There are downsides to living here, too. The overground rail is much better than it was when Greater Anglia were running it, but can be overcrowded and isn't as frequent as it could be (Crossrail should help but is still a way off). There is a lot of litter, and fly tipping. There is a very mixed population, with loads of ethnic diversity (brilliant) but also lots of poverty.
Hope that helps?

This is so helpful, Gusthetheatrecat!

I really like what you've said about a community vibe, that's something I love about my current neighbourhood. I work from home and really want to live somewhere where I feel part of it, get on with my neighbours, take part in what's going, etc.

By wanstead flats I am guessing you mean Leytonstone or Forest Gate, or maybe aldersbrook on the other side? I only know Leytonstone well, and Forest Gate by reputation (good). We dithered between Walthamstow and Leytonstone, and came down on the Leytonstone side mainly because of the access to open space, but also because Leytonstone seems more like a proper place rather than a tiny cute high st separated from the main town (if that makes any sense at all - its early!). Anyhow, community vibe is good IMO. Probably giving too much away but I live in bushwood which has an active residents association organising events etc, and theres loads going on generally. Last weekend eg we went to live music at Luna lounge, the local am dram production at the church hall, then the local yard sale on Sunday.. Also the library has just been done up and reopened which I think says very good things about the local council's priorities. Have to rush to work but if there is anything more you want to know do ask.

To be honest, I don't know which end, helentheheron! The more I'm digging, the more I'm hearing about different parts, like Alderbrook and Bushwood. (Someone on another thread just suggested Bushwood to me and I just had a look on Rightmove and saw a lovely house, too )

That's really interesting what you say about Walthamstow vs Leytonstone. My husband is a little unsure about Walthamstow because the village is small and the rest is so big and seems so separate... and he can't get a feel of what it'd be like to live there.

What are the shops, etc like in Bushwood? Seems like the primary schools are great (love Rightmove's new school checker button!).

Silly question, because I can see from a map, but what's the transport really like? I mean, I live in Stoke Newington now so obviously am used to not being on a tube, but is it fairly quick to get into central London?

Thank you for your reply!

No shops in bushwood as such, but its about 5 minutes walk to the "nice end" of the high street where there is a mix of standard banks/boots etc, cheapy supermarkets (no waitrose m&s I'm afraid, although there is a big tesco) and trendy independent shops (e.g. wild goose bakery, "all you read is love" book shop etc). Loads of good (not swanky, but interesting and good value) restaurants and the red lion pub which is v family and dog friendly. Tbh youd be best to come and have a wander.. I love it and feel really at home here but I think the feeling you get about a place is a really personal thing.

Travel wise its super quick, with tubes every couple of minutes as its the right side of the split in the central line, but it does get very busy at peak times so be prepared to stand.