Help me locate an area to buy house in SW London?

[Laladot]

I’m looking to buy my first house and hopefully have children but feeling overwhelmed by the options and seeking advice.

I’m in my late 30s and working in media/arts. I’d love to find an area where I can make some new/mum friends and all of mine have moved out of London...

I’ve rented in Fulham/Putney which I like because they’re attractive and leafy with Victorian terraces, great cafes and next to the river. I’d like to stay in the area but want somewhere spacious enough to stay long term which is not very realistic with my budget and requirements.

The dream is a freehold period terraced house 2/3 beds with potential to extend if 2 bed and a kitchen diner with bifold doors onto a garden, within walking distance to the tube for work, near to great schools and less than 750k.

(Expensive) areas I like are Fulham, Putney, Chiswick. Don’t love the vibe of Kingston or Wimbledon. I considered Richmond but think the plane/road noise would grind on me.

Am thinking Southfields might be a good bet but unsure if would be hard to get a school place and read that there is a lot of social housing in the area. Also don’t know what kind of people choose this area... will I fit in and be able to make friends...

I recently found a lovely apostle house in Raynes Park near the station which ticked all of my wish list items but the lack of a tube isn’t ideal.

Can anyone advise on the best areas for me to consider? Is it possible to find what I’m looking for anywhere else except Southfields? If I can only afford the outskirts should I just move out to the Home Counties? :S

Brentford/South Ealing? Short hop to Chiswick

Three bed period terrace in budget - I know someone who lives on the next street to that and they wo

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/86691241?utm_campaign=property-details&utm_content=buying&utm_medium=sharing&utm_source=copytoclipboard

Posted too soon - I know someone who lives in the next street and they are

Working in television. Seem to have an active social life locally through kids school, book club etc

To be honest, in Southfields you will get a 3 bed period maisonette in one of the “better” school catchments, at best.
You could maybe find similar in Putney, if you are willing to compromise on the dream “house” and buy a maisonette instead, however you may find a post-war house in budget in the wider Putney area.
If catchments are an issue - some of the religious schools are well regarded in Putney, so if you chose to stay, would perhaps look up the admissions criteria and start helping out/attend one of the churches linked to one of these schools for a few years before applying, if this is something you are willing to do...

Otherwise, I do think you will need to look a bit further out. You would get your dream house somewhere like Surbiton or Thames Ditton - and retain the river access / leafy vibe, with rail connections but no tube.

P.S. back to your OP concern, there are lots of lovely Southfields mums, some in a similar situation to yourself having moved from Fulham for more space etc.
If you were to find a property there, then no issue finding friends! Cafes aren’t the most spacious for meet ups with young babies in pushchairs - so you might find yourself back in Putney/Fulham to socialise!

Why does the lack of the tube in Raynes Park put you off when there's a mainline rail station there with trains taking 15 mins into Waterloo every 10 or fewer minutes, or 3 mins to Wimbledon where you can catch the district line?

Yes I’ll not sure you could get a 3 bed in Southfields for that price. Lots of families there though who have moved from Fulham/Putney. Putney Heath and Dover house are cheaper areas in Putney but quite far from the tube but you could just cycle/hop on the bus.

If you don't like Kingston, surbiton is just next to it and is lovely.

What about Tooting? Furzedown is pretty family oriented and you're close to the common and walking distance to Tooting Broadway which is on the Northern Line. Plenty of good Wandsworth schools.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/85012354#/
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/87866866#/
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/75306009#/
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/73131138#/

I think that most areas around that area are looking massively overpriced now at that 750k mark when you consider their mostly tiny gardens. Plus you have to be so careful with secondary schools.

I would move out and have done with it tbh. If you need to go into waterloo then as far as Epsom etc.

Teddington?

I've counted and in the next hour there are 9 trains to Waterloo (and therefore Wimbledon district line) from Raynes Park, excluding the ones via Richmond which go the long way. It really isn't a problem not being on the tube there, it's quicker to get from RP to Waterloo than from South Wimbledon which is on the Northern Line.

I loved at Raynes Park and it was really easy to get into London. I wouldn't discount it.

@funksoulmother

To be honest, in Southfields you will get a 3 bed period maisonette in one of the “better” school catchments, at best. You could maybe find similar in Putney, if you are willing to compromise on the dream “house” and buy a maisonette instead, however you may find a post-war house in budget in the wider Putney area. If catchments are an issue - some of the religious schools are well regarded in Putney, so if you chose to stay, would perhaps look up the admissions criteria and start helping out/attend one of the churches linked to one of these schools for a few years before applying, if this is something you are willing to do...

Otherwise, I do think you will need to look a bit further out. You would get your dream house somewhere like Surbiton or Thames Ditton - and retain the river access / leafy vibe, with rail connections but no tube.

Thanks. How much do you think a similar 2 bed would be in Southfields if it even exists? I’ve seen some cottages...

@Bringonspring

Yes I’ll not sure you could get a 3 bed in Southfields for that price. Lots of families there though who have moved from Fulham/Putney. Putney Heath and Dover house are cheaper areas in Putney but quite far from the tube but you could just cycle/hop on the bus.

I could always borrow more but trying to be cautious. Will need a mortgage.

You may find a cottage, but will depend on timing / what comes onto the market and have to be careful regarding scope for a future extension (will the loft space accommodate it and have similar properties done the same - check the planning portal to see the floorplans of what others have done). You may also find there is more competition for a house at that price point in school catchments, given the alternative is a maisonette.

On the east of Southfields towards Earlsfield you may find a bit more for money, in catchment of Earlsfield primary, potentially Beatrix Potter. Or towards Putney Heath on the West - again, it may be a more modern property.

Over budget, something like this (it is sold), and I imagine, priced to sell:
Granville Road, Southfields, London
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-82691161.html
Would almost guarantee an open place at St Michael’s and has scope to add value (ie requires work). Realistically for a 3 bed, you are looking at 850-1mil.

It depends what your timelines are too, if you have some time - perhaps look to rent in Southfields for 6-12m, try it out, save on rent and see where the market goes?

To be honest it will be a doer upper in Earlsfield at that price. Southfields and Earlsfield slighter cheaper than Putney and definitely cheaper than Fulham.
You may be better pushing out a bit further as you say to Raynes Park etc.

In Putney
Bargain www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/101420669#/

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/74276808#/
I used to live in Westrow - fab 1960s houses set around a small green
If you like Modernism this falls into your price range and easy walk to the High Street, Mainline station and East Putney tube.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/83408926#/
This is East Putney and looks lovely

There are some Dover House Estate houses at the upper end of your price bracket and they are beautiful 20s style houses. 430 bus to Putney High Sreet but it's like living in a village.

Roehampton (with plenty of buses into Putney or Barnes)
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/86010139#/

Southfields
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/85570225#/

Streatham Vale, roads of 30’s 3 bed terraces with large gardens. Streatham common station is 20 minutes to Victoria or Streatham station also walking distance is Thameslink.
Baby central, full of baby groups and toddler stuff. Way under budget, for 550000 you could get a terrace with kitchen diner and loft conversion, garden.

Thanks very much everyone, HB thinks we can afford 800-850 if needed. If anyone has any further advice about the best schools in these areas or anything else to consider please do let me know. I will have to start researching... Non religious would be preferable if possible. Thanks again

Furzedown area of Tooting as mentioned above. Nice area, decent schools. Tube is a long way but train is nearby.

State or private schools OP?

State pls. Realised hadn’t specified as soon as I posted...

West Norwood or Streatham Hill.

Schools: Julian’s, Hitherfield, Dunraven, Streatham Wells.

Trains Thameslink, London Bridge, Victoria.
Xpress bus to City
Tube from Brixton
Young Family Central
Picturehouse cinema
Etc.