Moving to NE London - Walthamstow/S Woodford/Wanstead/other?

[hellotoyellow]

I'm 30 weeks pregnant and with the Brexit delay it suddenly seems like not the worst time in the world to put our house on the market. I don't think I realised how much having kids would tie us to the area.

We currently live in Kennington but for all sorts of reasons (work/family/friends) are looking to move north of the river. A good commute is essential (tube, basically) as we both work all over north/northeast London. We have a budget of about 800-900k depending on what current house sells for and would ideally like a house with a garden and room for an aupair (doesn't have to be massive, but basically the loft needs to be converted or convertable within budget). DH really wants to be near wide open spaces. I want to be somewhere a bit more leafy but still with plenty to do and access to yoga studios/coffee shops.

We are looking seriously at Walthamstow Village and S Woodford/Snaresbrook. I can't work out whether this is mad! Are we doomed to no available childcare if we move soon after birth and I try and go back to work at 8 months (our local nurseries say this might be possible if we register now, which we've done). Is there anywhere else that we should be considering?

Have a look at Upper Leytonstone or Bushwood.

Also think about whether you'd rather be on the Victoria line or the Central line.

And how far you want to be from wide open spaces - Walthamstow village is very nice but if I recall correctly it's a bit of a walk to get anywhere green (and Walthamstow itself is very very urban). Personally I love having woods/greenery right at the end of my road but maybe you don't mind a short walk.

East London is ace

Highams Park meets all your criteria.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-61683783.html

I grew up in South Woodford and my parents still live there.

It's a lovely place to live and bring up children, great for the Central Line and easy access to the M25.

Good schools and green spaces, you'll need all of your budget though as it's an expensive place to buy.

Definitely think about Victoria vs Central lines. Walthamstow is great - it has Lloyd Park, which is lovely, but is also a bus journey from Epping Forest.

The streets such as Jewel Road and Ruby Road are between the park and the tube, they're used as thoroughfares but very convenient. The village is lovely. You might even get one of the very few Warner houses west of Lloyd Park for that sort of money.

If overground is acceptable, then Chingford is not quite as happening but has more green space and has Epping Forest. I'd second the recommendation above for Highams Park.

Think about schools as well - my understanding (and very happy for others to correct if I'm wrong) is that Walthamstow is fine for primaries but secondaries are more mixed.

Wanstead or parts of Leytonstone suggested by Spideryplant would fit the bill.

Thank you! :) I'm worried about the Overground - a major attraction is getting on the tube for ease of access so am worried about Higham's park and wood street. I'd never even heard of Bushwood though (or walked that way from Leytonstone station) and it looks lovely, plus bigger houses than Walthamstow.

Interesting the consensus is we'll need almost all the money. Hopefully it's at least a ten year house!

Wanstead is at the top of your budget, South Woodford is good but you need to live on primary schools’ doorstep to get in (especially Churchfields).

Overground is actually really good for commuting into the City and you are only a couple of stops from Walthamstow. Depends where you need to commute to?

Might be too long a tube journey but Epping could be worth looking at, lots of countryside on your door and lots of shops etc.

I love the St James Street end of Walthamstow - 5 min walk to the overground, 5 min walk to Blackhorse Road tube, great for cycling into town as well if you’re into that sort of thing. Lots of green spaces, several great primaries, decent sized houses, a really strong community (check out @stjamesbiglocal and @themille17 on instagram) and local arts scene. Plus it’s much cheaper than the Village or Wanstead - not as chichi yet

We live in the Upper Walthamstow area - nice size houses, excellent primaries, right by Epping Forest. DH takes the overground to City every day (from Wood St) - no problem. I walk to Snaresbrook for the Central line. Upper Walthamstow is nice, and you wouldn't need to max out your budget either.

Good to know @JimmyJazz! That's interesting @FiddleFigs - basically we currently live on the Overground in Peckham (need to move NE as work around the area and family live north) and cycle a lot and think that if both of those things are going to change we'd like to be able to get on a 24 hour tube at night, but I really like the houses in Upper Walthamstow. Can't find many nurseries - do people mainly use childminders/nannies?

@hellowtoyellow - the nursery situation across the whole of E17 isn't that great - too many kids! That said, a few new ones have opened recently around the Wood St area (handy for Upper Walthamstow). If you're on Facebook, join the "Walthamstow Parents" group - really friendly crowd and loads of really useful info (esp about nurseries, schools, etc).

I live in Wanstead and think it's the perfect place to bring up a family. There is such a strong community, it feels like a village. Great nurseries and primary schools and good private schools too. Green spaces, brilliant high street, easy commute on the centrsl line. You'd be at the top end of your budget but it's worth it!