Winchmore Hill vs Leytonstone

[goteam]

Looking to relocate from zone 2 (Hackney). We have considered Walthamstow but not sure about schools. I have a boy and girl and want them to go to the same secondary so looking for co-ed. a few years off yet so also need decent primary's. What are these two areas like for families? We need things like parks, leisure centres, dance drama, sports activities nearby etc.

Def need to be north of the river and budget around £850k for 4 bed house....

These are two areas that have been suggested by friends btw that may fit our criteria. There may be somewhere we haven't thought of. Happy to be close to co-ed grammars as well as state comps....big parks, swimming pools etc essential.

Thanks!

Blackhorse Road area could work for you. You’d get a four bed for that budget; you’re close to the tube and overground.
Willowfield school is well thought of (next to Blackhorse Road station).
It’s very close to walthamstow wetlands and hackney marshes, not too far from Epping forest.
There’s a big new pool on chingford road near the William Morris art gallery. Quick walk to walthamstow high street and st James street where a crate park (food and shops) is coming. St James street station. will take you back to hackney easily or the city.
The village is beyond the high street, so walkable.

I don’t know Leytonstone.

Winchmore Hill is ‘naicer’ Than Blackhorse Road, but the transport links swung it for me.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-66267421.html

If you’re happy to buy a three bed and do the loft, you’d have your pick

Thanks Jilly, we have friends around there and I do like it. Seems like a schlep to the swimming pool (I'm a daily swimmer) and that's really the only thing that puts me off. I like that you still feel 'central' around there and I love the parks and café culture...houses are nice though. Think DC would like further out with a more spacious feel.

I mean DH. DC don't really care!

It is a bit of a walk to the pool, bike?
Have you looked at Wanstead or Higham Hill?

Bike is an option. Don't currently have one as no room in our small flat but could get one. I'm just used to everything bring on my doorstep but that's zone 2 living! Zone 2 living also means a family of 4 in a small flat, hence needing to move. Wanstead looks ok. A bit far out. I know Winchmore hill is but is actually on a decent main rail line. Higham Hill. Not sure about secondary school options. Thanks though.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-74443433.html

This is much closer to the pool.

Yeah, Wanstead is too far for me, but it’s more ‘spacey’ and green I think.
The houses in Winchmore Hill are lovely.

That Ruby Road house is lovely. I like that road, close to station, shops, park and pool. Still worry about secondary school options though. Fine for DD but not DS and there is no 6th form at WSG or Willowfield...

Winchmore Hill is lovely. It feels quite suburban and I know there's a lot of interesting stuff going on in Walthamstow but I'm just not sure. DC 6 and 4 so secondary a way off but don't want to have to move twice! I know that Winchmore Hill has v good schools including Latymer with similar house prices to Walthamstow.

Yeah, I’m not sure about secondary options for mine either, but they aren’t at school yet so could move in the future.
Good luck finding somewhere.

Really don't base it on 6th form provision now when you only have a 4 year old and a 6 year old.

So much changes in eduction standards over 12 years. Also at this early stage you won't know what your own DCs might need educationally over the years.

True another but we really want to make the right choice and don't want to have to move again!

I’ve just moved from Bethnal Green/Hackney border to Leytonstone- it’s very different, Feels a lot quieter and more suburban... but for us it’s been a good move.

Things I miss:

The DCs’ old school with no uniform
Getting into town quickly on one bus
Taller buildings
Victoria Park
Pubs
The canal
The history of the place
Feeling like you’re in the centre of things. This is the biggest thing I miss!

Things I love:

Wanstead flats. It’s at the end of our road and is HUGE
The sense of community- always something going on, albeit on a smaller scale
Everything is less busy
The quiet
Friendly neighbours
Most things in a walkable distance (swimming pool, shops, pubs, library etc.)
Having a house

With your budget, I’d look at Bushwood area and upper Leytonstone. Not sure what age your DC are, but Gwen Jones, Davies Lane and Jenny Hammond all good primaries, although have limited space. George Tomlinson is less nice but still a good and friendly school and often has spaces. There are a couple of other schools I’d avoid (PM me if you like). For secondaries, Leytonstone school is on the up, Connaught is good if you have girls and Wanstead High is an option depending on where you live. Again, some secondaries I’d avoid but as PP said, this can all change in a few short years.

Wanstead is also really nice, only one stop further out from Leytonstone but more expensive and well-to-do.

*Gwyn Jones

Definitely have a look in Wanstead - lovely green spaces, period houses, lots of school options state and private. Really strong community, the playground was crowdfunded by a group of Mums after the council refused to pay for it. Its a wonderful place to bring up a family, and only 30mins on the Central Line into the West End.

Hi OP, I'm in the Bushwood area of Leytonstone and happy to answer any questions. We really like it - Bushwood itself is really quiet, friendly and leafy, and it is brilliant to have Bush Wood and the flats on your doorstep plus Wanstead Park and Hollow Ponds only 10 mins walk away, but you only have to walk a few streets to be on the high street which is more like "proper London". Personally I would find Winchmore Hill much too suburban but which is better totally depends on what you're looking for really.

Ah thanks. Sounds like Leytonstone has a lot going for it. Leytonstone school certainly looks lovely. Will look into Wanstead too.

... and I can help if you have questions about Winchmore Hill. It's a nice place to bring up a family and schools are good. Do feel free to PM or post on here. Also worth considering would be Palmers Green (more of a London-y vibe) and Southgate (tube station). The suburbs are underrated in my opinion. I love the green space that surrounds us here in Enfield.

I live in Leytonstone - we moved here from Bethnal Green (albeit in 2002) - which seems to be a well-worn path, especially in recent years.

We're at the Forest Gate end, just off Cann Hall road. it's a great place to live, and cheaper than Upper Leytonstone/Bushwood. Lots of new families have moved in, lots of of skips in the streets. It definitely doesn't feel 'suburban' down here - and Zone 2 starts just down the road.

We're another lot who moved from Hackney to Leytonstone. We're Upper Leytonstone, near Gwyn Jones, which is a great school. It does feel quiet after Hackney (not quiet in terms of things to do, just, actually quiet, like no noise) and I've developed hayfever, but really happy here. Decent coffee shops and pubs/bars within walking distance, some decent restaurants, lots for kids to do, really strong sense of community and friendly neighbours. And so much space!

If you think it might be a bit quiet then how about Leyton, around Francis Road?

We moved from Hackney to Forest Gate. You'd get a whole lot of house here for your budget. It borders Wanstead Flats which is amazing, will be on Crossrail from this year, and is changing lots - new independent cafes and bars opening all the time. Definitely has the same vibe that Hackney did about 10 years ago.

Thanks all. I went to Winchmore Hill and Leytonestone at the weekend to get a feel for the areas.

enfieldlady we went right out of the station towards Groveland Park, towards The Bourne. I know there's a lot more happening towards Green Lanes but it has a nice vibe. Like stepping off the train in a small market town but the buz of London isn't too far away. Highfield school looks nice (had a look on website) and there seem to be lots of eateries.

Leytonstone dwellers it is lovely. I didn't make it to Bushwoood but had a look around some of the streets south of Whipps cross and jar Leytonstone school, Leyton 6th form and Barclay primary. Lovely houses but I'm not sure if I would miss the café culture I'm used to (I'm self employed and like working in cafes). I wandered past Leytsonstone central and the main shopping bit before getting the train from Leytonestone High road station (I think). It's really nice. Gwyn Jones and Barclay look like lovely schools. I think I might need to visit again to check out the other areas mentioned in this thread.

Harriet I like Forest Gate and may give it a look! Had never thought of looking at houses there. I remember the more gritty Hackney of ten years ago!

I’ve lived in Leyton / Leytonstone for over ten years now and have two under fives, I would say it’s great for kids. Leisure centre, lots of nearby parks and hollow ponds, library, easy to get into or out of town too for the day. Also it has a real community feel - we know all our neighbours and have met so many other families (mostly from Hackney/stoke newington - as others have said a well worn route. Some nice cafes, restaurants and shops with new places opening up all the time. Good schools too although we are only just entering that world. Like others have said worth looking at the Francis road area in Leyton as well as Leytonstone, you would get a lot for your money there and it’s near to some good primaries.