Harrow

[lboogy]

Hello ladies

I wonder if anyone can give me some advice on Harrow. I know Harrow on the hill fairly well and the area around the shopping Center

Can someone tell me a nice part of Harrow to live ? Looking for good schools , 3-4 bed max budget £800k

Thanks

Have you considered Pinner?

Pinner is a nice part of Harrow. Good schools, parks etc. You can probably get a decent sized semi with that budget too.

Pinner and Northwood are the more "middle class" areas of Harrow in general. They are, consequently, more expensive. Both on met line so good for commuting.

Ruislip is near both, cheaper but nice enough. Central line, which is partly why its cheaper.

Other areas are more mixed. Harrow on the hill itself is super expensive but gorgeous and has real history. But the area around Harrow on the hill station is very different - it's a town centre feel. Go the other way into Roxeth and South Harrow, which is perfectly pleasant suburbia feel, though there are some rough/rundown areas.

Lots of new developments going up across Harrow, which may or may not be your thing.

@solidaritea

Pinner and Northwood are the more "middle class" areas of Harrow in general. They are, consequently, more expensive. Both on met line so good for commuting.

Ruislip is near both, cheaper but nice enough. Central line, which is partly why its cheaper.

Other areas are more mixed. Harrow on the hill itself is super expensive but gorgeous and has real history. But the area around Harrow on the hill station is very different - it's a town centre feel. Go the other way into Roxeth and South Harrow, which is perfectly pleasant suburbia feel, though there are some rough/rundown areas.

Lots of new developments going up across Harrow, which may or may not be your thing.

Thanks I'll have a look at Northwood. Pinner seems so boring - no real high street or independent shops that I could see when we did a drive by.

Thanks for all the recommendations , I'll expand my search a bit more

Eastcote might fit some of that bill.

Not many independent shops in the whole Borough to be honest, though I think there are still some in Eastcote.

Some of the places mentioned upthread are not in Harrow, but Hillingdon which is the adjoining London Borough. Ruislip, Eastcote and Northwood are Hillingdon. Parts of Pinner are Harrow and parts are Hillingdon. This might all be of no matter, but it could be, especially when looking at schools etc.

The bit of Harrow just below the school, which isn't officially Harrow in the Hill is nice....there are some roads with decent sized 30s semis which are reasonably priced for the area.

But people are right that Northwood and Pinner are definitely the more desirable places that lots of people aspire to move to ....lots of nice big houses on wide leafy roads and good schools. They are on the tube but you're starting to get a bit more of a villagey feel, especially as you head towards Northwood which is very close to Hertfordshire borders. Both will have cafes and restaurants, but won't be edgy or trendy. They do have lots of middle class families and some high performing schools. Depends what you're looking for really.

Thanks I'll have a look at Northwood. Pinner seems so boring - no real high street or independent shops that I could see when we did a drive by

Pinner has a lovely old high street with some picturesque bits , but not very big . Eastcote and Ruislip both nice but certainly not trendy - good family areas .

@lboogy

What about Rayners Lane? Or, West Harrow that's got a village feel to it but not many shops from what I remember.

Most of Harrow hasn’t got much happening TBH, but it does have great transport links

I think S Harrow has a reputation for being tough, whereas N/W Harrow (in HA1 postcode) are not

The area is known for good schools - I’m looking to move to the area myself so not an expert unfortunately, but definitely lots of lovely housing stock and some very nice roads : you have a very healthy budget for HA1 so would have no issues

Harrow on the Hill is pretty special and feels almost like Hampstead but the housing stick is very limited. How many bedrooms are you looking for and any specific requirements other than good schools?

Woops! Wombatchocolate is right - several places I mentioned are Hillingdon Borough, not Harrow. I always forget where the border comes!

@solidaritea

Pinner and Northwood are the more "middle class" areas of Harrow in general. They are, consequently, more expensive. Both on met line so good for commuting.

Ruislip is near both, cheaper but nice enough. Central line, which is partly why its cheaper.

Other areas are more mixed. Harrow on the hill itself is super expensive but gorgeous and has real history. But the area around Harrow on the hill station is very different - it's a town centre feel. Go the other way into Roxeth and South Harrow, which is perfectly pleasant suburbia feel, though there are some rough/rundown areas.

Lots of new developments going up across Harrow, which may or may not be your thing.

Ruislip is also on Met line so great transport links .

Ruislip/Ruislip Manor nicer than South Ruislip

Thanks everyone. I had the strangest exchange with an estate agent from the Harrow office at Gibbs Gillespie. I made an enquiry via right move and the agent called me to ask if the property was on the market. I'd previously put the property on the market last year but after missing out on a few properties (bidding war) we took the property off the market as our buyer was getting impatient and I couldn't stand the pressure to just find anything. The agent had our details from last time and I explained that we're back on the market now.

He then said we can't give viewings to speculative buyers!!!

He also said we're in the middle of a pandemic and per government guidance they were only allowing people who were proceedable to view properties.

I said he was talking nonsense as while he was talking I looked up the guidance. Also I have a viewing with another Gibbs Gillespie office and did not get that advice.

Anyway I was so angry that I wanted to make a complaint but couldn't find anywhere to complain other than their website which said to complain to an ombudsman.

What would you advise I do?

@lboogy

You'll find your experience is not uncommon in these covid circumstances tbh. There have been quite a few threads on this forum where EA wouldn't allow buyers to view until they were proceed-able.

Complain by all means, but I don't think anything would come of it I'm afraid.

There’s another thread running about whether estate agents only let customers who already have a. Buyer view properties ......and it seems it is very common. So I dont think what you’ve Experienced is unusual and it’s not really related to whether you were on the market previously or not.

It’s fairly common under normal circumstances. You might not be a time waster, but there are lots out there and although sellers might miss out on a potential buyer, until they are proceedable (have a sale and finance in place) the seller can’t take seriously any offer or remove the property from the market. With Covid meaning extra precautions have to be taken with viewings, sticking strictly to this principle (it’s not a rule but a principle) is just another way to limit foot flow.

Honestly, I wouldn’t bother with a complaint. Just get back to your estate agent and push them to arrange people to view your house and point out that you’re missing out on viewing things you might like until they get you a buyer.

I would recommend you call Woodwards in Harrow in the Hill. They were much more relaxed about this. In my opinion they are the more professional agents in the area. They know the market and don’t try to over sell. We found our home through them.

I've been viewing in H with the agents mentioned (Gibbs, Woodwards) & others, both before & after being proceedable: my family in another part of country are amazed as agents there are only allowing proceedable buyers

I have been asked (by Gibbs & others) what my position is, which is normal. It might be that the owners have specified 'proceedable only', or the agent.

In any case, almost everything I am looking at (so 90% of the houses) sell within 2 weeks so I don't think you will have an issue. The ones not selling are HUGELY/COMICALLY over-priced for the area

@ChocoTrio @WombatChocolate @Hodgewell1

(and anyone else who could tell me!) - what is your view on N Harrow, both near the tube, & the 'County Roads' area around Harrow Rec ground? Anything to be aware of/avoid?

My main criteria is to avoid noise/anti-social behaviour, and find a well-constructed period property, preferably with a good size garden

10 months into 2020... nothing to do/being bored to death not so much of a problem

Thanks everyone. I didn't realise it was common since I've spoken to 5 other estate agents and not had this problem.

Oh well, having done street view it looks like the property is on very long main road so I don't think I'm missing out.

I've had 8 offers on my property and the estate agent is negotiating with the 2 that are proceed-able to hopefully I can get to a good position.

Just a quick pop in to say thanks to everyone who gave me recommendations. I ended up looking in areas I'd never have thought of. I've had my offer accepted on a property in eastcoat Excited for the next chapter.

@iboogy - sounds like a result :) Hope your purchase goes well

@DespairingHomeowner thanks 😊