areas improving to move to

[Gonnagetgoing]

On the back of another thread DB and SIL are looking to move. To be closer to parents (DB's) and also me (both in SE London).

Quite a few areas which have good commute times (SIL must be 30 mins via Thameslink to where she works, Farringdon) they've vetoed, yet they'd like and need a house or garden flat due to having another baby in addition to their son under 5. Certain areas are/would come up as I know people living there, see high streets and good schools too.

Nothing will be nice as Hackney where they are unless they win the lottery to buy the house they want. It's also too far for us to go regularly to help out with childcare.

Any ideas/thoughts? I've spent ages and so has DM in looking at properties for them and estate agents and they've seen a few but not quite right. Doesn't help not a huge amount within their budget on market right now.

What is their budget?

Abbey wood

West Norwood

@ComtesseDeSpair

What is their budget?

@ComtesseDeSpair - depends but probably 550K maybe stretch to 600K.

@DavetheCat2001

West Norwood

@DavetheCat2001 - this is one area I've looked at as very near both of us. In fact I saw a lovely mews house (gated) with short bus ride to Tulse Hill which I may look at again.

It's combo of walking to train station and walking DS to school and also baby to nursery (when they have baby). Crown Point around there is cheap too. Depends entirely on streets.

@FFSFFSFFS

Abbey wood

@FFSFFSFFS - they would veto this area entirely. I don't know it but heard it's rough or rougher.

They went to Charlton last week (near village, Lido etc is nice) and got an ok/thumbs down. My posh ex lawyer boss moved there from Bristol and loves it!

I think with their budget and wanting a house or large garden flat, they’re going to need to compromise on the 30 minute max commute.

I’d suggest Forest Hill, where they could get what they want within budget - but that would be a 15 minute walk / 10 minute cycle into Catford to get the train to Cannon Street and then on to Farringdon. They could also look at Nunhead and Peckham Rye for an easier commute but would need to be prepared to buy a doer upper with lots to do.

Otherwise, out towards Mitcham which is still rough around the edges but more friendly to their budget.

Some Forest Hill links here: www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/find.html?locationIdentifier=OUTCODE%5E2324&minBedrooms=3&maxPrice=650000&minPrice=500000&sortType=1&propertyTypes=detached%2Csemi-detached%2Cterraced&primaryDisplayPropertyType=houses&mustHave=&dontShow=&furnishTypes=&keywords=

I’m biased, I live here - but it has an awful lot going for it and is relatively affordable.

@ComtesseDeSpair

I think with their budget and wanting a house or large garden flat, they’re going to need to compromise on the 30 minute max commute.

I’d suggest Forest Hill, where they could get what they want within budget - but that would be a 15 minute walk / 10 minute cycle into Catford to get the train to Cannon Street and then on to Farringdon. They could also look at Nunhead and Peckham Rye for an easier commute but would need to be prepared to buy a doer upper with lots to do.

@ComtesseDeSpair - they're happy to look at a doer upper.

I used to live Forest Hill Catford borders and that's nice but has gone up and also same with Nunhead and Peckham Rye sadly

@ComtesseDeSpair

Some Forest Hill links here: www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/find.html?locationIdentifier=OUTCODE%5E2324&minBedrooms=3&maxPrice=650000&minPrice=500000&sortType=1&propertyTypes=detached%2Csemi-detached%2Cterraced&primaryDisplayPropertyType=houses&mustHave=&dontShow=&furnishTypes=&keywords=

I’m biased, I live here - but it has an awful lot going for it and is relatively affordable.

I used to live in Forest Hill (nearer to Catford) but liked it when I was there, in fact the area has gone up including pool being built (Forest Hill Pools built) and lots of nicer newer shops, cafes etc.

They saw a house in Sydenham recently but sadly weren't impressed.

@ComtesseDeSpair

Otherwise, out towards Mitcham which is still rough around the edges but more friendly to their budget.

@ComtesseDeSpair - DB wouldn't ever move to Mitcham - neither would I come to that - but partly because he and his ex-wife lived near there (Morden) years ago and very bad memories for him!

@ComtesseDeSpair

I think with their budget and wanting a house or large garden flat, they’re going to need to compromise on the 30 minute max commute.

I’d suggest Forest Hill, where they could get what they want within budget - but that would be a 15 minute walk / 10 minute cycle into Catford to get the train to Cannon Street and then on to Farringdon. They could also look at Nunhead and Peckham Rye for an easier commute but would need to be prepared to buy a doer upper with lots to do.

@ComtesseDeSpair - I told them recently - well DB - that 1 hour commute is what most people do - even me when I worked in London. And quite average.

I think they've been bloody lucky to live in Hackney for years and basically now she gets a bus to Mile End and then to work or Hackney Central overground ginger line.

What were they not impressed with about Sydenham? It’s a nice family area, excellently located for a number of parks and whilst the high street isn’t amazing (though is on the up) there’s Crystal Palace Triangle just a walk or short bus ride away.

Forest Hill likewise - I think the ships and restaurants etc here are pretty decent, but if they aren’t enough then it’s not far to East Dulwich for everything any Hackney-dweller would want!

I was, until recently a SE London estate agent. One of the areas they should take a look at is the south Lee area - just south of the south circular. Everyone in the office agreed that this area will be next to boom. It's still very affordable compared to the Lee/Hither Green - north side of the SC.
It has lovely Victorian and 1930s housing stock, a great green flag park (Northbrook), great local shops and a good one form entry primary school - Baring.
I've just had a look and there's not much currently available, but here are a few examples, some already under offer...

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/115793681

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/117852152

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/117990221

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/114792893

Hope this helps

Purley? It's 30 mins to Farringdon on Thameslink.

Alternately Coulsdon South which is also 30 minutes to Farringdon on Thameslink and has slightly nicer restaurants and cafes.

@memoirsofa

I was, until recently a SE London estate agent. One of the areas they should take a look at is the south Lee area - just south of the south circular. Everyone in the office agreed that this area will be next to boom. It's still very affordable compared to the Lee/Hither Green - north side of the SC. It has lovely Victorian and 1930s housing stock, a great green flag park (Northbrook), great local shops and a good one form entry primary school - Baring. I've just had a look and there's not much currently available, but here are a few examples, some already under offer...

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/115793681

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/117852152

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/117990221

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/114792893

Hope this helps

Lovely - thanks a lot!

@sarahb083

Purley? It's 30 mins to Farringdon on Thameslink.

Alternately Coulsdon South which is also 30 minutes to Farringdon on Thameslink and has slightly nicer restaurants and cafes.

@sarahb083 - we were in Purley the other day! Lovely but weren't there for long enough and in the streets with squillion pound houses!

Coulsdon South is a good call thanks!

@ComtesseDeSpair

What were they not impressed with about Sydenham? It’s a nice family area, excellently located for a number of parks and whilst the high street isn’t amazing (though is on the up) there’s Crystal Palace Triangle just a walk or short bus ride away.

Forest Hill likewise - I think the ships and restaurants etc here are pretty decent, but if they aren’t enough then it’s not far to East Dulwich for everything any Hackney-dweller would want!

@ComtesseDeSpair - no they loved Sydenham and know and like it a bit - just the house they saw wasn't right!

For south Lee worth noting the Baring primary catchment is tiny, sure it has been under 200m before. It is a distance from stations too, given commuting preferences.

@drinkwithanumbrellainit

I know the area well as I was based very nearby. The roads around Baring school are approx 0.4 miles from Lee station. Under 10 minute walk.

If they’re prepared to look at south Lee, then I’d also throw Eltham into the mix - especially the areas around the Palace and Colfe’s.

None of these areas will give them the max 30 minute commute they want, but they may think that’s an okay sacrifice once they’ve had a look and realised that really is going to limit them enormously.