Help me find 3-4 bedroom house!

[workaholicGal]

Afternoon All!
We are looking for 3-4 bedroom house, budget is around 750K.
DH and I both work in Canary wharf. Would someone suggest family areas within 1hour commute and with decent schools (planning family in near future).

We have spent weeks researching different areas (it is overwhelming, to put it mildly ). As of now, West Wickham tops our list. What do you guys think about this area. Any other area that we should consider.

Thanks a ton!!

Leytonstone. Dead easy to get to the wahrf.
forest Gate. Not as nice but will be even better toe the wharf once xtrail is in place.

Cheaper parts of Twickenham? Just under an hour to the city via Waterloo. Schools are very good, kew and Richmond/ bushy parks close by.

Thanks for the suggestions.

About East London, I agree the connectivity to CW is superb. I may be generalizing, my impression so far has been that there are nice pockets surrounded by not-so-nice areas. That makes me a bit nervous, especially given my odd work hours. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Just checked Twickenham, the commute time is similar to West Wickham and both areas have good schools. But Twickenham looks a bit more expensive - we will probably have to compromise on the house.

Any thoughts on West Wickham or any other areas please.

Hello again,

Would someone have reviews on Petts Wood and Orpington. Petts Wood is slightly expensive and not many properties close to station. Orpington has mixed reviews on MN, but properties look alright.

We could be in Canary Wharf in under an hour from both these places. Any thoughts please.

I currently live in East Dulwich and lots of families I know are moving to Beckenham. I'm not sure what the connections are like to canary wharf, but schools are really good and the area is beautiful. I also love West Wickham.

I'd also consider whether you would be happy to consider faith schools etc. This could help broaden your search a little. I thought we wouldn't, but when it came down to it not considering faith schools meant we had SUCH a small area to look in.

Pets Wood, West Wickham and Orpington have some lovely housing stock but it is really dormitory suburbia not sure what they offer culturally/entertainment wise. If you just want a nice house to come home to then they'll be fine.

I'd also look at places which will connect to Crossrail as that will open up the options in a year or so's time

You could try Surbiton, I know quite a few people who go in to Canary Wharf, it's dead on an hour I think. The place has really changed since we've lived here - much more local community feel, good indie cafes and restaurants, etc.

3 bed definitely achievable (with possibility to extend), 4 a possibility depending on area.

Chislehurst?

How about Sevenoaks if you're already looking out towards Orpington? You get the fast trains into London, then jubilee to Canary Wharf. Very family oriented, nice shops and restaurants. Good schools but be aware you need to be as close as poss to them. Parking at the station a bit of an issue. Honestly Orpington is not great. Petts Wood nicer but as you say expensive and not fabulous for schools unless you're catholic. The West Wickham train line is painfully slow....

Thank you everyone for suggestions!

lndngg
Thanks for Beckenham. I've just started looking at new Beckenham (fast trains to London Bridge!).

Turbinaria
I totally get your point about surburbs. But given the constraints about budget, schools and commute, it is very difficult to find anything that ticks all boxes. Would you happen to have some recommendations.

How about further out? Leigh-on-Sea and change at Limehouse. You'll get a lot of house for your money.

JassyRadlett
Thanks for Surbiton, never heard about it before. Checking right away!

LadyLapsang
Keen to find something in Chislehurst, but rightmove only shows handful of properties - none of which we like very much. Will keep looking.

ChalkyC
You read my mind! We are dropping Orpington for the reasons you mentioned (google search on it is also not very flattering). Just started checking SevenOaks. We are not catholic - will that be an issue in finding good state schools in this area.

In Sevenoaks you will be fine. Look around riverhead infant school and Sevenoaks primary school. Lady Boswells is more central but is a c of e school and I'm not sure how many non church spaces there are. We are halfway between Orpington and sevenoaks and definitely prefer sevenoaks!

I also know chislehurst q well and use chislehurst st regularly if you have any questions!

Surbiton is lovely, I have a few friends there although they're all spreading outwards aka tolworth

Not west wickham - only because the Hayes line is a form of torture most of the time. Beckenham is great, good commute but not so great if you want Canary Wharf.

I'd consider staying close to work and save myself a load of commuting time, lots of open spaces and decent schools if you look in both these locations:
Isle of Dogs next to the river with potential for loft conversion
or East Village in the Olympic park in Stratford they are building houses there but not released onto the market yet so ask local estate agents

Sorry forgot to add lots of good and outstanding primaries in the isle of dogs people seem to rave about Canary Wharf college but all the primaries look good. In East Village, Chobham academy Is outstanding and covers nursery to sixth form.

A plus for Petts Wood here, there are loads of houses within ten mins walk of the station, some so close you can hear the station announcements. As it is the last station before the line splits you get lots of destination choice so for Canary Wharf you can go to Lewisham or London Bridge but if you change jobs you don't need to move as you can also go to Victoria or Cannon St or Blackfriars etc. Lovely community feel, nice independent shops and restaurants- make sure you see both sides of the railway line as they are quite different and complement each other.

My DH grew up in petts wood and it is a really great place. There's lots going on, it's quick into London and the schools are good. Plus there's lots of green and places to walk. We would have loved to live there but we just couldn't afford it

I lived in Surbiton for 12 years -- it's fantastic! Lovely for kids, great schools, nurseries, parks, etc. nostalgic sniff

How about this house? www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-45105342.html - lovely family home. Petts Wood is not just a dormitory suburb, there is lots going on in the community - May Fayre, Christmas lights and festival, PettsWoodstock etc. Loads for children and adults in the way of clubs.

We live in New Beckenham/Kent House area, there is a good mix of people who are more 'London' in their mindset so it feels very safe and open minded (we are not white British). West Wickham/Orpington are not really the same in that respect although having worked in the area I have never had any problems. There is not much to do in those areas, Bromley is still a good 15-20 mins drive and central London is a trek. We can be in central London in 30 mins, great schools, local shops are decent. You could get something reasonable for your budget in the area too.

Another vote for beckenham here look around beckenham junction station. Kelsey park is great for kids and also lots going on. We moved from there to suffolk ans i do miss it!