Where an elderly person should live in SE London with small budget?

[Londonwriter]

We live in Blackheath/Greenwich and I'm trying to convince my mum to move down south to be near us.

She's 70 and reasonably mobile, but has just lost my dad and has various health problems (treatable breast cancer, needs a hysterectomy). She currently lives in a 3-bedroomed detached self-build that was valued at £275,000 by the care home. I think she might be able to stretch to £350k with some help, but - in London - even that doesn't stretch very far.

She tends to hoarding and hates flats, so I've been looking at small 2-bedroomed houses with gardens. I house shared in the Progress Estate in Eltham when I first moved to London and felt safe walking alone there at night. I've also driven to Bromley through Grove Park on the A2212 and thought that looked okay, but from what I've read it's dodgy.

Are these places safe for a lone elderly woman? And can you recommend anywhere else I should look?

I would recommend getting estate agents to value the flat.
I don't know what you mean by valued by the care home, but I'd get more opinions, and look at how much other properties have sold for in the area.

I live on the A2212, it's fine. I mean, it's SE London but I feel just as safe here as anywhere else nearby. Obviously it's not as nice as Blackheath but safety wise it's absolutely fine.

Just wondering about Croydon? The money stacks up, i used to like it there?

Are you going to consider properties for the over 50s / 55s? They're much cheaper.

I understand many 55+ and retirement properties tend to be leasehold, often have exorbitant charges attached for the services they provide, whether you need them or not and can have clauses attached regarding selling ie only back to the developer. I have looked at a few and been put off for these reasons.

My aunt lives in a retirement complex in Eltham it's very nice and I don't think the charges are exorbitant. She could also afford a flat in Beckenham or Bromley but I think even a small house is very unlikely in those areas. My grandparents lived in Grove Park / Downham - they are fine if boring (not many facilities) areas for the most part but again I am not sure what her budget would stretch to.

I suggest you post in Elderly Parents, there are people there who understand retirement complexes and their financial structures, plus some of the regulars are Londoners and may be able to recommend areas.

Eltham, Mottingham, Orpington. Where does the train line that goes through Blackheath end up after Eltham/Falconwood? Anything with a non- SE postcode will be much cheaper

Take a look at Welling and Falconwood -DH is from there and it seems safe and quiet to me. Easy to get to Blackheath.

Thanks, everyone. I've looked at Welling/Bexleyheath/Barnehurst/Falconwood and found some options that are within budget and a short train journey from Blackheath station. Also Forestgate in South Croydon.

I'll also post on the elderly forum too, although I don't think mum would like a retirement complex as they usually have a lot of communal facilities and she's very shy.

My mum's in a nice retirement complex in lee green, it has support there but she lives very independently. She's also quite introverted but dosent feel obliged to socialise, it's just helpful to have people on hand if something goes wrong, her light breaks etc.

Otherwise shooters hill is nice and still quite cheap.

You might find the odd property that needs work in Shooters Hill but it's very hilly with few shops. Nice area though and green. I would look in Eltham - one or two over 55 blocks that sell cheaply £150K for a two bed flat but there will be service charges for care taking/warden etc. There is no obligation to join in with any communal activities. Eltham has quite a large elderly population. Welling also cheaper and easy to reach by train from Blackheath. Lots of shops/services there. She might be able to pick up a two bed semi for 350 but likely to be a trek from the station. Maybe the local Council can help with suggestions as they are building new over 55 provision for sale - some part buy/ part rent.

Bexleyheath is ok. I live there, nice shopping centre. A regular bus service to Bluewater if she feels like it.

Another "Eltham" from me - though I think I'd also try to encourage her to consider a large 1-bed flat with garden rather than house somewhere slightly more central, since house = future maintenance issues imo.