Does anyone live in Gidea Park? What is it like?

[areyouhavingagiraffe]

Hello all,
Long story, but have been house hunting for a while. Last March, I offered on a place in Gidea Park, which I then lost. Kept the search going. Then started looking in Romford, and Hornchurch. Had an offer accepted on a place in Romford (RM7) last year but then I pulled out (no paperwork for extension, loft etc). Anyway, I went ahead with my Sale in the Summer. Have kept looking and looking....Feeling hopeless.
Saw a house a few doors down from the original Gidea Park house (which I offered on last March). £30k more. Lovely from the outside, semi detached, grand looking. Needs A LOT of work inside, but has potential. Anyway, offered and has been accepted. It's an RM2 postcode, which I know is quite sought after. I hear lovely things about Gidea Park, that it has a nice village like feel. Anyone living there that can tell me more?
I am mid forties, single, no kids. I know the area has good schools but that is irrelevant to me. The house is about 15 mins walk to GP station, perfect for me. About 10 mins walk to High Street, which looks like it has a few nice shops. There are loads of bus routes which go into Romford. I worry that perhaps it is perfect for someone who is married with kids, and whether I would fit in? Sorry I know that sounds silly. I like the fact that I can jump on a bus into Romford if I want some hustle and bustle. I always knew the RM7 house was only a temporary thing, i.e I would sell it to be in a nicer area, nicer house. This RM2 house is defo nicer outside, and nicer area I think, although a project house, but I can see myself living there for a long time/ forever even!

I'm not far from there. I think you'll fit in just fine. It's a nice area in general and so well located transport/amenity wise.

I've just had a nose and think I've found your house. It's very dated... but I quite like the loo The road is quite busy... but I guess you've already seen it so obviously not a problem. Looks like a fab project if it's the 1 I think!

Gidea Park is very nice OP. It does have a family feel but like you say you can jump on the bus to upminster or hornchurch and there are some lovely parks nearby.

Romford is good for shopping but it's a bit run down in places but the surrounding areas more than make up for it.

The fact you can be in london in 20 mins is a massive draw. Go for it!

Ha ha @CellophaneFlower love your detective skills. I have no idea if the toilet even flushes, ha ha ha. I think I just need to "suck it up" when it comes to the price increase over the last year.
When I viewed it (Friday school time), it didn't seem that busy a road, but I know the southern part is very busy.

Also, I've just noticed your username and think I've read your "long story"! So pleased you've found somewhere at last!

Oh and just to add, you're right... RM2 is much nicer than RM7... and you'll definitely recoup what you spend. And 30's houses are amazing... and I really want one myself! most definitely envy!

I originally wanted a 1920's victorian property....until I started viewing them!

Ha! You're right, the road isn't that bad. I'm in a tiny culdesac, so anything that has a bus going down it I class as a motorway

I used to live in RM11, so just bordering you, but I'm RM12 now

It's lovely there
Nice people
Beautiful park
Go for it

Thanks all! Defo proceeding! Just the worry I guess. So much work, but I like a challenge. Also I don't have kids etc so no major disruption to others.
@CellophaneFlower, I saw lots of houses in rm2 in Cul de sac, quiter roads, some backing onto railway, but I think I like a bit of hustle and bustle, I think it is because I live alone.
I also saw a house before Xmas, very similar, needed lots of work, vendor wanted 550k, it had a tiny garden and the smallest alleyway, could just about fit a small human! Was marketed as semi detached but was end of terrace.
It's good to hear it's a nice area. I'm in ilford at the moment, was a 15mins walk from town centre. I will need to get a bus to romford, which is fine and the upside is that it is a nicer area than romford town.
Where does everyone go to the gym? It's a big part of my life but I don't fancy the David Lloyd.

Gidea Park is lovely. Raphaels Park is lovely, & we often go to OliveWell for a coffee and muffin.

We're in RM7 (near Mawney primary school) & it's pretty nice here too - the roads are surprisingly leafy - but Gidea Park is more sought after and prices reflect that. There's a lot of young families on our road and surrounding; family homes are a little more affordable outside RM2.

I would say be realistic about the cost and time frame of improvements. Our house needed updating throughout but was totally livable (well, as long as we replaced the roof immediatelyas that was rather leaky!); it sounds like yours might be more of a project?

We're currently trying to extend our kitchen for example (small side return infill, about 7 sq m) & it will likely be nearly 12 months from when we first engaged the architect by the time it's totally finished, & it's costing a good chunk more than our neighbours paid a few years ago as materials have increased quite a bit.

If you have the funds then I'd go for the area you want to be in longterm.

Gym? What's that? Harrow Lodge has just had a new sports centre and pool complex built, so that might suit you?

Raphael's park is lovely. You have to pronounce it "Rayfalls" park though, or nobody will know where you mean! Harrow Lodge also has a fab cafe/restaurant on the lake now, which is really nice.

I wouldn't go RM12 its horrific
Gidea park has got more of a community feel about it than rm3 which is grim and hornchurch. Gidea park is sort of like the forgotten/ hidden town

Yes to harrow lodge sports centre that's just had a makeover, or you've got I think its called anytime gym which is open all hours, that's in the town centre with ample parking round the back
The chinese restaurant is nice in gidea park, that's been there donkeys years
Yes to Rayfalls park too which like the PP said never gets pronounced Raphael's park ,only the bus that stops outside it pronounces it Raphael
Very close to most immeneties and very accessible to london from the station

@AwkwardPaws27, the house I was supposed to buy in the Summer was just off Mawney Road, south of a12. I pulled out as there were legal issues. I agree it is nice area, although I never like the outside of the house. And the underpasses into town centre.
This is a long term thing. The house is liveable defo, I need to split the work into essential stuff first and then the long term projects (like extension!)

Thanks all! On a serious note, are there any fit men around??? I hope it not just yummy dads who are married

My priorities, ha ha

@areyouhavingagiraffe

Thanks all! On a serious note, are there any fit men around??? I hope it not just yummy dads who are married

Of you don't mind a little older, try the golf club 😉

Ha ha! @AwkwardPaws27, love it!

@AwkwardPaws27

Gidea Park is lovely. Raphaels Park is lovely, & we often go to OliveWell for a coffee and muffin.

We're in RM7 (near Mawney primary school) & it's pretty nice here too - the roads are surprisingly leafy - but Gidea Park is more sought after and prices reflect that. There's a lot of young families on our road and surrounding; family homes are a little more affordable outside RM2.

I would say be realistic about the cost and time frame of improvements. Our house needed updating throughout but was totally livable (well, as long as we replaced the roof immediatelyas that was rather leaky!); it sounds like yours might be more of a project?

We're currently trying to extend our kitchen for example (small side return infill, about 7 sq m) & it will likely be nearly 12 months from when we first engaged the architect by the time it's totally finished, & it's costing a good chunk more than our neighbours paid a few years ago as materials have increased quite a bit.

If you have the funds then I'd go for the area you want to be in longterm.

@AwkwardPaws27 If you don't mind me asking, how much are you being quoted for your extension?

OP, the house sounds lovely, the location and size is the most important thing and you can decorate it how you like. Sometimes it's good to buy a project house. I think I found the house too, the garden is lovely and it has great potential. I love the kooky decor.

We've only had one quote back so far (currently chasing builders who visited a fortnight ago as keen to get cracking), but around £40k excluding vat. This is to a plaster finish, the kitchen & fitting will be additional.

@parkstrife, thanks. I will want to do an extension but that is long-term, I won't be able to do that straightaway. And I like people's suggestion that I should live in the house first and take a while to make plans

@AwkwardPaws27....that sounds so eye-watering and is already making me worry! I will be looking at something bigger, but hopefully there is some economies of scale, and not just linear, or even exponential. But I need to remember it does not need to be done straightaway

[quote areyouhavingagiraffe]@AwkwardPaws27....that sounds so eye-watering and is already making me worry! I will be looking at something bigger, but hopefully there is some economies of scale, and not just linear, or even exponential. But I need to remember it does not need to be done straightaway[/quote]
I was a bit surprised - its a really small extension - but I've since joined the 2022 extension thread on this board and people are talking about £200k, £300k extensions which is mind-blowing to me.

We've already spent around £40k on improvements (new roof, boiler, windows, repointing, upstairs shower room) so it does feel a bit never-ending but I guess that's just the reality of home ownership

Thanks @AwkwardPaws27, I hope you can get a builder soon. It is getting so expensive now, I think mine would be a similar price to yours, so £60k including the kitchen, I think I'm going to end up leaving it (mine is a terrace and there isn't much space to extend any further).

@areyouhavingagiraffe I would live in the house for a while first too, there are things you don't notice at the start.

Wow. £200-300K is not gonna happen for me! But I am in it for the long game, essential stuff first, and trying not to feel overwhelmed.
Even with the houses I have seen where everything is done up, I have never liked some aspects so I guess there is always work to do

@areyouhavingagiraffe

Wow. £200-300K is not gonna happen for me! But I am in it for the long game, essential stuff first, and trying not to feel overwhelmed. Even with the houses I have seen where everything is done up, I have never liked some aspects so I guess there is always work to do

That was our thinking - we saw a bunch of "done" places but weren't keen on the finish (gloss handleless kitchens for example - nothing against them but not what I'd personally put in a victorian or edwardian property), plus we could only afford a 2 bed if finished to a high standard. My top tip would be to do your bedroom and/or the living room as soon as possible - have at least one cosy comfortable room to retreat to. I am a bit envious of people who can decorate with just a tin of paint though - our rooms have needed wires chasing in, 10 layers of paper stripped, skimming or lining, just tons of prep before you can even pick up a brush.