Where to move from Balham?

[Charlottemh]

After trying to sell my small garden-less flat in Balham for a year (going through 3 different estate agents) I finally have it under offer. Myself and my partner are now trying to decide where to go, the main requirement being a garden after a tricky lockdown with no outside space.

Our budget for a small house or maisonette with a garden is max £800k. We’re considering Earlsfield or West Norwood/Crystal Palace. Does anyone have any opinions or other suggestions? Basically we want to live somewhere exactly like Balham!

Also I’ve noticed a house come up in the College Gardens area which seems suspiciously cheap given it’s a 5 min walk from Wandsworth Common - does anyone know this particular area?

Thank you!

You could also consider the other borders of Wimbledon like Wimbledon Park or Southfields. You would get a nice 2-3 bed maisonette with a small garden for your budget. Lots of nice parks, good walks, interesting shops/ cafes etc and good transport links.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/107581601#/

I found earlsfield not great tbh. But that was 5 years ago.
I loved and lived in crystal palace. It was halcyon and one of the happiest times in my life. The trains and overground were good, big sized houses /flats, loads of green space and nice shops bars and restaurants

I live in Crystal Palace and love it. You'd get slightly more on an 800k budget if you head towards Sydenham. If a factor for future some excellent schools in Crystal Palace too. And brilliant parks nearby for extra green space. I'm bias but I think the restaurants are a step up from Balham too

We moved from Balham to Earlsfield /Tooting (15 minute walk from both). Absolutely love it. Real community feel and close to lots of lovely shops / cafes / restaurants etc. Not quite as shiny and trendy as Balham but you certainly get more house for your money. We saw some gorgeous maisonettes / houses for well under 800 and bought our house for a less.

A good friend lived in college gardens for a while and really liked it. Great location but lovely and quiet. Not the most attractive houses but not the worst either!