Carshalton / Carshalton Beeches / Beckenham

[buntingandstarcharts]

Hi, we currently live in SW London, in a very buzzy, park-filled, family friendly area with a multiple nice high streets. The age old issue of - we can't afford to upsize in this area. Ive posted before about other potential areas but upon visiting, none have seemed 'right'. We have two children, 2 and 2 months. Does anyone live in carshalton or carshalton beeches? What's it like living there? Or beckenham? Really interested to hear anyone's POV.

Ver open to other suggestions too to help us find somewhere suitable, we would like good schools and a nice community vibe with green spaces. £600k for a 3 bed (a hard ask I know). Any advice much appreciated. Oh and must be South of London for family and work TIA

Reigate is much smaller than Guildford and bigger than say Banstead. More refined, nice high street but very middle class and pricey for those who want to be in Surrey countryside just. Also worth a look.

Reigate I would say would be more of a culture shock from SW London. A bigger more refined version of Banstead. It’s nice though but not sure about trains into Wimbledon.

What are the nice parts of Surbiton? my brother is looking around there.

Most of surbiton is nice, obv the bit nearer the river and station is the most expensive. I’d avoid the berrylands/tolworth side

The problem with Reigate is the transport back to Wimbledon. Trains would be bad with 1 or 2 changes? The drive would not be great either as it would be all along a very busy stretch that would take much longer than the suggested internet search travel time.

But going by train from Guildford would be OK as it's about 45 minutes.

You obviously know Beckenham from your Grandma's time but yes it is now really expensive and you would be far more over into Elmers End for your budget.

Guildford is a bigger leap out of SW London so I'm guessing you are in Wandsworth somewhere. But it could well work.

Cheam is definitely worth a look but I would want Cheam Village which would then be an easy drive to Wimbledon. Otherwise if you are trying to not move too far from SW London it is the Epsom, Raynes Park, New Malden commuter belt that gives both easy access to Wimbledon and into London. Surbiton would also have been good but it's too expensive.

If you are currently in a flat and looking to trade up to the 3 bed semi really the only way is to move further out as the jump is too big financially otherwise staying in the same area. Years ago it could be done. I did flat 1 Clapham South, Flat 2 Earlsfield followed by 3 bed semi detached house Earlsfield. Now have 4 bed house much further out in Hampshire.

If I was trying to do it now the areas mentioned on this thread would be the ones I would be looking at too.

Carshalton actually sounds perfect for you as you can get the Thameslink into Wimbledon in 15mins and the schools are good.

Carshalton much prettier than Banstead but also much more diverse, Banstead is proper Surrey which may appeal if you are looking at further out etc but the transport options are rubbish, especially for older children and the secondary schools arent as good as well.

There's no direct train from Carshalton to Wimbledon you have to change at Sutton (but even then it's still quick).
I'd look along the Tramline and look at places like Lloyd Park, Selsdon and New Addington where you will get a lot more for your money with lots of greenery.
Epsom?

Good advice from BluTangClan to look along the tram line at locations such as Lloyd Park, Selsdon, New Addington. Croydon borough is surprisingly green once you get out of the centre (which isn't very nice). Added bonuses are that commuting cost would be low and you are a tram ride from East Croydon station, which is extremely well connected.

But if you were to move into Surrey, I agree with those who say Guildford is nicer than Woking. Woking has better train connections into London (and elsewhere?), but everything else is better in Guildford.

There is a tram service from Beckenham to Wimbledon so maybe somewhere on that route

@BluTangClan

There's no direct train from Carshalton to Wimbledon you have to change at Sutton (but even then it's still quick). I'd look along the Tramline and look at places like Lloyd Park, Selsdon and New Addington where you will get a lot more for your money with lots of greenery. Epsom?

Er it is the same train, you sit on it and it pretends to be a new train at Sutton and then it continues on, Thameslink is a loop with Sutton at the bottom.

[quote buntingandstarcharts]@RainbowMumzy that's great to know. Is there a nice end/unsafe area/areas to avoid or would you say it's all nice for families and safe? Thanks [/quote]
Hmm, safe? It's hard to say as I bought a house on an "estate" and have never had any trouble and have lovely neighbours. I have friends that live in areas considered to be 'naice' and they have had break ins and not very nice neighbours.
I personally would avoid Roundshaw (more Wallington SM6) and Benhill (more Sutton SM1) but have found Carshalton SM5 to be lovely. This is our second home purchased in the area in 10 years.