Walthamstow vs Tottenham

[mamabearpapabear]

Fellow Londoners, OH and I are looking to buy a new property in either Tottenham or Walthamstow. Currently live in Highbury but sadly cannot afford to upsize around here. And although we are from north London we aren't too familiar with either place - we are planning a couple trips around the areas to look around but would love to get other people's opinions. We are moving with 2 under 2 so main deciding factors will be safety & schools (nursery & primary for now) as well as the community and family friendly places.

Keen to hear people's thoughts.

Thanks

www.timeout.com/london/news/eight-ace-things-to-do-in-south-tottenham-picked-by-the-founder-of-local-club-the-cause-092821

Bounds Green is wicked.

Also I don’t think it’s that secret, I don’t know anyone who dislikes Bounds Green.

I think that Upper Walthamstow/Hale End is by far the nicest bit...Wood Street is fantastic...and I'm always amazed that's it's cheaper than the rest of Walthamstow.

I think that Upper Walthamstow/Hale End is by far the nicest bit...Wood Street is fantastic...and I'm always amazed that's it's cheaper than the rest of Walthamstow.

I like to be near the Victoria Line.

It's only one stop on the overground from Wood Street though and away from the chaos around Walthamstow Central and the High Street.

Wood st used to be awful...i went to school around there....every corner was full of dealers and hoodies etc....they are still around but no so many of them....expensive yuppy flats wont change wood st overnight but its a lot safer than it was...20 /30 years ago you would never would around there at night unless you wanted to buy drugs !!

That was half of london 30 years ago - a long time ago!

Not any more, it's all fancy bakery's these days. There's even a deli now.

I lived in the Downhills area of Tottenham for several years, eldest went to Belmont primary which was fantastic. It's a nice little community, lots of events on, some decent cafes etc, walking distance to Wood Green and Harringay/Green Lanes for shops etc. We could afford a great 30s semi with a garage on a nice quiet street. Then I got mugged at knifepoint in Downhills Park at 5.30pm on a summer evening and we left six months later. In hindsight I can see that I never felt safe there.

I agree beguiling, Wood Street is nicer than my bit of Walthamstow, leafier and finally got some decent cafes! I’m not doing it down, I love Mother’s Hub and the fact there’s a Viking shop! However, I like being close to High Street and the wetlands. I think people use their cars a bit more at the wood street end. Could be wrong though.

Just note, if you choose E17, then it's not known as the London borough of concrete for nothing....ugly blocks of monotonous flats are going up all over....every bit of land is being built on...the council approve everything now....so check first before you buy....wood st is getting some hideous block after the lovely old library was demolished....the labour council demolish anything nice...art deco etc etc...they even wanted to knock down the william morris gallery years ago and build a paint ball centre there....!!

I lived in Tottenham for 10 years and saw it shift change a few times for the better. It still had a dodgy element though and I think it always will. We had a baby and I realised just how little there was to do with a baby and we moved to a bigger place in Walthamstow. It was like night and day, E17 is such a good place for families and there’s always something to do with the little ones.

I personally feel like Lloyd Park and houses towards it off Hoe Street have a nice feel and I’d choose here over the Village any day. It feels quieter and calmer than the other end of Hoe Street towards Leyton. Lloyd Park is excellent if you have kids- I’ve
never found it to be too busy (it was only heaving during lockdown) It’s also really lovely around Christmas and Halloween. To me, it feels villagey but not the village imo. The new Soho Theatre is opening next year nearby and it’s also close to the Town Hall where the council have focused lots of events and invested in a lovely splash fountain for kids. It has never felt like a chore walking to the tube station. I’ve also never had a problem walking home at night, it’s busy enough to make me feel safe.

I would also focus on Wood Street which feels nice the past few years- new library, the indoor market and loads of lovely cafes and bakeries along it.