How is it like to live in Mitcham?

[Punter29]

Hi,
We are actively considering buying a 3bed property on Meopham road, Mitcham. We have a 2 year old and this property seems to be in the catchment of 3 outstanding rated schools. Both of us work in central London and Mitcham Eastfields which is 0.5Miles away seems to very well connected. Does anybody have any feedback on how it would be to live with a young child in Mitcham and in particular on Meopham road? Have ready some not so glorious feedback online from few years ago an was wondering if it still holds.

Hi OP Really sorry but I would rate that area as one of the worst areas of South London you could possibly choose. I would have thought for the price you're probably shelling out there you could do far better in alternative areas?
What are your requirements?

I live on the other side of the tracks to Meopham Road. I'd consider Meopham more Streatham Vale than Mitcham though. I really don't think Mitcham is as bad as people make out.

There are a lot of families nearby. It is mainly working class with lots of Polish and Sri Lankans. DH and I have never had any trouble here. I've never felt unsafe. Having Mitcham Eastfields station close by is great...excellent connections into London.
Tooting and Streatham are also up the road (don't forget people used to say they would never live in these areas too!).
The worst thing for me is traffic in the area.

I'd suggest you go on a mini tour of the area and see for yourself what you think and if it suits you as a family. Good luck!

@doubleshotespresso requirements are primarily-
-3 bed
-Close to good schools
-Easy connections into central London
We have been living in South Croydon hence have know quite a few people in South London and hence wanted to stay somewhere closeby

Hi Punter29

Have you considered Crystal Palace? Forest Hill? Lee Green? Hither Green? Or maybe Sutton/Wallington type of areas?

These would all possibly tick your boxes?

I went to school in Mitcham and wouldn't want to live there. That was a long time ago though. All the places doubleshot mentions would be about the same as Mitcham to me though so it's as good as any if you're looking in that area.

Purplemunkey I think maybe even two years ago I probably would have agreed with you, they were all on a par in terms of south london locations. However, I think that Crystal Palace, Forest Hill, Lee Green & Hither Green have all significantly improved alongside Brockley and some of the Bromley bordering little pockets.

Sutton and Wallington would I agree be far closer in tone to Mitcham but at least have a bit of a high street. Mitcham I feel would be way off limits still these days, I would rather live in Streatham if I were forced to choose.

Another issue with mitcham is the primary schools might be ok but the secondary schools are unlikely to be. There are decent comprehensives in Wimbledon but be careful re catchment areas.

Thanks for all the inputs..the asking price for the property is also by no means low hence don't want to compromise on the area

Realise this is an old thread but wanted to add a comment for anyone still searching for info about living in Mitcham. I searched forums before moving to get some insights and found the comments pretty mixed. We moved to the area last year (with a toddler and a baby) and there's lots to like. We're near Figges Marsh, between Tooting and Mitcham Eastfields stations so find the transport options pretty handy (Thameslink stations/Victoria) and we can walk/jump on a bus to Colliers Wood and Tooting Broadway. Lavender Nursery on London Road is excellent and there are plenty of playgrounds nearby. We can also walk to Morden Hall Park/Deen City Farm - both great for kids, and Merton Abbey Mills for indie shops/restaurants. Mitcham town centre isn't the prettiest although it's handy for picking stuff up/running errands (there are banks, a Boots, a post office, pound shop, Morrisons etc) but we tend to shop in Tooting/the Tandem Centre/central London. Mitcham Common is worth exploring although lacks a cafe/playground - there's a nice lake and some lovely wild trails. The Cricket Green area is nice - lots of lovely houses and some heritage buildings. The Canons is currently being refurbished with lottery money and plans include a much-needed cafe. Haven't found many baby/kids classes around Mitcham (even before Covid) although used to love the Rhyme Time at the library - staff are so friendly there. I tend to head to Streatham/Tooting/Colliers Wood/Wimbledon for organised baby classes and usually walk as the surrounding areas are easy to access. Main bug bears about the area - litter/fly tipping is rife, Mitcham town centre is lacking in character and our postcode falls into the CR4 bracket which sounds like we live in Croydon even though we're in zone 3 and a couple of roads down from SW17. Other than that, people are friendly, houses are vaguely affordable (by London standards), transport options are good, there are loads of supermarkets in the area (Lidl, Asda, giant Sainsburys, small Tesco) and the primary school seem decent (we're in the process of researching for a 2021 place). Seems logical that the area will benefit from families being priced out of Tooting/Streatham.. at some point!

@PocketBird

www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/find-a-school-in-england

If you’re researching schools, have a look there. Not that great in Mitcham.

@JoJoSM2 Hiya, thanks, yep using that site

@PocketBird totally agree with your comments - positive and negative - about living in the area. I also used to live near Figges Marsh. Mitcham gets a bad press but it’s not as awful as people make out. Really don’t know why there weren’t more baby classes nearby! Made my first maternity leave so rubbish.

@PocketBird
Reviving an old thread (again!) Because we are seriously considering a house right on tooting/mitcham borders (the roads in the triangle by Figges Marsh)
We have a young DC so would be looking at transferring into a primary near there. Did you make a decision regards schools? Any insight into which ones are decent?! Closest would be Gorringe Park, Links and Beecholme.
We loved the house but I am feeling a bit nervy about the area as Mitcham gets so much bad press....but where the house is located seemed down to earth and normal,.and a nice road of well kept houses, which are still (somewhat!) affordable. Any further updates or insight would.be most welcome, including from any other residents :-)

Every morning the geese cross the road from 3 Kings Pond to graze on the green, and when they're done they cross back again. Causes a lot of traffic holdups, but I find it delightful. 😁

🤣 sounds great!
Anything else we might look forward to in the area?!

Hi @Marbles321 We're still here! And feel settled. Recent improvements in the area include the reopening of Canons House and a cool playground next to it. There's a pop-up cafe in the grounds and they put up an outdoor screen for Wimbledon/the Women's Euros final, which was great. There's a Junior Parkrun on Figges Marsh every Sunday for kids 4+, a fitness studio has recently opened on Locks Lane, the Gorringe Pub has been refurbed (next to Tooting overground) and a katsu place opened in Mitcham town centre a few weeks ago. It's still scruffy in parts and litter is an ongoing problem (I'm constantly reporting issues via the Fixmystreet app) but I've never felt unsafe here. We know a few neighbours and have made friends with a bunch of parents through nursery/school. We actually started DS's first year at Gorringe Primary and were there for a few weeks but got a call from our top choice school and ended up switching. It was a tough decision as we weren't unhappy at Gorringe at all and there's lots to recommend it. I have friends with kids at Links and we visited Beecholme when we were researching - huge outdoor space. Can't pretend Mitcham is the prettiest place in the world and the town centre is a little uninspiring but there are nice pockets like the Cricket Green area/Canons House/the Common. As I mentioned - it's within easy reach of Tooting/Wimbledon/Streatham (we couldn't afford a house anywhere round there!). I don't drive so walk/take the bus everywhere. And Mitcham Eastfields is handy for step-free access to the Thameslink/Southern trains. Happy to answer any specific questions you have. Or show you around! Good luck with the house hunt x

@PocketBirdie that sounds great and thanks so much for the detailed reply.

I'm trying to PM you but can't figure out how to do it on the app....!!!

@Marbles321 can you see the PM function when you go 'My Mumsnet' to access your settings? Or can you see three little dots at the bottom righthand corner of the message? Should give you the option to send a PM there. I don't use the app I'm afraid so not sure what you can see

@Marbles321 It has good public transport links. Mitcham Eastfields to London Victoria in 15-20 minutes. Tram to Wimbledon and Croydon. A short bus ride (or long walk) to Colliers Wood for the tube. Town Centre is a bit run down (even McDonald's closed down a few years back!), but there is Asda, Lidl and Morrisons in town, and a large oriental supermarket, plus huge Sainsburys and M&S plus Aldi in Colliers Wood. Lots of green space around: Mitcham Common is a great for kids and dogs. It's easy to get to Morden Hall Park, Streatham Common & the Rookery and Beddington Park (one of the best in Greater London in my opinion). Mitcham is rather neglected - the local council seem to focus on Wimbledon and all the other areas get shorted. That's why it's still affordable in London terms. But it does have a lot going for it.

@MysteriesOfTheOrganism that all sounds great. Seems like a really useful and down to earth area, which is great.

@Marbles321 Down-to-earth, yes. It's not my ideal of somewhere to live, but I'd rather have a good home here than a studio flat in a naice area. And if I need bougie things, they're within easy travelling distance.

1+ years on, reviving this thread! Have there been any further changes to the area? I'm looking specifically around the Tooting Thameslink vicinity as transport seems convenient (though trains sometimes seem infrequent?!). I went there the other week and it was very quiet but it was during the weekday so not sure how reflective of the area it actually was.

Hiya. Tooting overground station is getting step-free access later this year - handy if you’re moving with little ones. The old police station (Art Deco building) near Amen Corner is being turned into flats at some point - that should see the area improve I reckon.

Transport’s good - the Thameslink is convenient and you’re not too far from Tooting Broadway around there. Southern trains to Victoria run from Mitcham Eastfields too.

Good luck with your house hunt x

I’ve lived in Merton my whole life, I grew up in nearby Morden and went to school in Wimbledon. In my opinion and experience Mitcham is a horrible area.