Hornchurch, Elm Park,Gidea Psrk,Upminster

[MumOfOneCutie]

Hi all,

With my husband and 1yo son, we are considering moving to Hornchurch from South East London...we first wanted to go to Watford but it seems like we can have more for our money in Hornchurch. However it seems that Hornchurch is not as diverse than Watford, am i correct to think that? Any advice on a good area? And good nursery too please? We are working from home for now but still would need to go to central London and Canary Wharf some times, the district line is usual good, right ? I also see that Gidea park is a nice area but might be too close to Romford where I think it's a bit less safe, isn't?
My son is doing swimming lesson too so it's something we would like to pursue at Hornchurch.
Any thoughts on those areas from local mums?
Thank you.

Thread on these areas a few weeks ago so have a search....!

Romford is fine (we're in RM7, near Mawney primary school) - personally I feel safer here than Elm Park & DH (who grew up locally) wouldn't consider houses in Elm Park at all.

I'd avoid Harold Hill (poor transport connections & quite deprived).

Gidea Park is v nice but prices reflect that. We're a mile from Raphaels Park which is lovely, so still get to enjoy that without the price tag!

Hornchurch is a bit of a mix - we lived in RM11 for quite a while too, some roads are a bit industrial almost (Albert Road, for example, feels a bit like that) and then a few roads down is much nicer, so definitely visit and look at the roads you like.

Romford town centre is pretty safe, around the high street bars and clubs can get a bit rowdy on a Friday or Saturday night but we don't tend to go there then as we prefer the quieter pubs by the market or going for food in the Brewery.

I also prefer the new Elizabeth Line trains to Liverpool Street and Stratford over the old District line trains - more comfortable, air con and faster. The district line has a lot of stops & always seems quite slow.
There's also the Central Line (Newbury Park + a short bus ride) which is a good back up - great when the night tube is running!

It really does depend on your budget. Upminster is lovely, but expensive. There's a wide range of prices in Hornchurch and it also borders Romford. I honestly wouldn't say Romford is unsafe, but I've grown up in these areas so perhaps I'm just comfortable with them? Elm Park is the cheapest area of Hornchurch and probably slightly more diverse than some of Hornchurch and Upminster. All these areas have easy access and public transport, if needed, to Harrow Lodge, for the pool. My son was having lessons in the old pool there, but I stopped just before lockdown and the new pool has since been finished! Must get him started again soon!

Thank you @AwkwardPaws27, exactly the type of advice I was hoping for posting here....I read the previous thread but didn't really have the information I needed.

What really makes gidea park so popular, is it the schools? I just find Hornchurch town centre pretty handy to be closed too. Doesn't seem to have much in Gidea park.

Thanks again

Upminster is lovely. Great transport links to central London and Canary Wharf via main line (C2C) as well as district line, great schools both primary and secondary, really nice high street, very safe. However downsides - expensive and does lack diversity. I haven't noticed any specific issues related to a lack of diversity but I am white British so it may be that I am not noticing it because it doesn't affect me. I would recommend it as a great place to raise a family.

@AwkwardPaws27

I also prefer the new Elizabeth Line trains to Liverpool Street and Stratford over the old District line trains - more comfortable, air con and faster. The district line has a lot of stops & always seems quite slow. There's also the Central Line (Newbury Park + a short bus ride) which is a good back up - great when the night tube is running!

Yes, I hate the district line too! From Upminster you can get the c2c to fenchurch street, and just a short walk to Tower Hill. I tend to get the district from Elm park if I go up town, then change at West Ham for the jubilee

Oh thanks @CellophaneFlower, didn't see your answer before I replied. Great to know the pool...
We need to sell our current flat first but budget wise is up to 700k max for a 3 or 4bd house, semi detached or detached if we are lucky....a good nursery is important , access to local shops and a park too, I would prefer to walk more than driving but we will need to do some compromise I know

I recommend Upminster. Houses are expensive but it's a lovely place and schools are excellent. Good transport link too.

Thank you, we will be looking at Upminster too but have a preference so far for Hornchurch. We are a multicultural family, so that why diversity is important but we are still in the UK so should be fine yes

That's interesting regarding the district line, its been a while since I took it, so wasn't sure how it is. I always prefer trains anyway but thought it was nice to have an underground. I'll keep that in mind too. Thank you!

You won't need to drive round here - I don't! The public transport is fab! Upminster is definitely within your budget. Corbets Tey area is most expensive but if you go towards the other side of the station, Cranham way, it's much more reasonable. Hornchurch is also lovely though. Feel free to PM me about any roads you're interested when the time comes!

What really makes gidea park so popular, is it the schools?

There are some good schools but I think you're still in catchment in most of Romford or Hornchurch tbh. Just asked DH (who grew up in GP) & he's says it's just historically been more MC - with the tennis courts, golf clubs etc - plus the big houses round the park & lake are v desirable. It's a mile up the road to Romford centre so there's not much difference unless you have a big house by the park; DH doesn't think there's much difference in terms of safety.

You can't go wrong with Hornchurch. We live in Cranham (part of Upminster) now for the schools, but really enjoyed living in Hornchurch. The high street has a bit of everything, I've always felt safe walking the streets and you've got a wide range of schools in the area. The new sports centre is really nice and there are plenty of outdoor spaces.You'd be able to get a really nice place for your budget too.

Just to add, we live in Elm Park. I'd say near on half of both my son's primary classes aren't white british. There's a lovely mix.

I don't think there is much diversity in Romford/Hornchurch/Upminster, although admittedly my experience is a few years out of date. I always thought that area was like the old East End, before it became diverse, demographically.

Diversity-wide - I grew up in Walthamstow and moved here around 16 years ago. Its still got a way to go (although once you scratch the surface, although it looks v white there is some diversity within that group as we do have quite an established Eastern European population, there's a a few delis & shops selling Polish & Lithuanian food).
We're definitely seeing more diversity, with more young families especially - within a few doors I have Hindu and Sikh neighbours, & there is an African church & an Islamic centre (who do community work with things like a soup kitchen) nearby.

Thank you everyone, I really appreciate those advice and will share with DH .
We are coming tomorrow to visit the all area to finally make our mind on where to focus so this thread really helps.
It's not easy to find where to relocate when you don't really know the areas so what's locals and other mums think it's important.
I read tons of articles but it always best to ask the locals I find.
@CellophaneFlower I'll keep you posted, and good to know about the diversity in the classroom.

If you want somewhere nice for lunch I highly recommend Bunno on Romford High Street - lively Italian food

*lovely!

Oh please do! I love property and know these areas like the back of my hand. Unfortunately I can't be an estate agent as I don't lie All the areas you mention are absolutely fine and safe. Of course there are less desirable roads etc and Elm Park is the least desirable area, but my road is absolutely lovely. I've never had any trouble here and I back onto a park. My son's primary is rated 3rd best school in Havering on gov.uk and we really love it here

@AwkwardPaws27 thanks for the lunch idea
@CellophaneFlower, why not?! you could advertise as the only eastate agent that don't lie, you'll have lot of customers, I would truth you with my property search ahah

Again, big thanks to all of you, I really appreciate you toom the time to answer me

The house prices in this area are directly correlated to the school catchments. So look at which primary school, and even secondary you want him to go to. And with that budget you will find a house no problem.

What do you mean by diversity? Of course the background here is 'East laaaandon' and Essex, but it is the commuter belt so it's pretty more diverse than you might think.

25 mins on the mainline train into London is great. Aircon on the trains.

Traffic is pretty heavy around hornchurch, seems to take ages to drive anywhere. But so many swimming pools for lessons.

I wonder why more people don't live here, I think there is still snobbery about Essex. However if you did want a fake tan or nails done you have ALOT of choice

I'd say that Upminster is the best on your list. You won't get a massive house for your money but you'd get a decent semi. I think all the primary schools are fine. For secondary, Coopers is selective, you have to have a religious faith among other criteria, and Hall Mead is a regular state school that's extremely highly regarded and a big part of the reason Upminster is more expensive than surrounding areas. The C2C trains into Fenchurch Street are fast and reliable, you can also get to the coast (Southend, Leigh, Chalkwell) quickly. The town centre and Upminster Park are really nice. Upminster isn't particularly diverse but it's gradually becoming more so.

Hornchurch is very mixed in terms of property/affluence etc and a bit more diverse, the high street is nice but not as good as Upminster. It has several good schools, a theatre, an arts centre and a nice new leisure centre. Transport wise you've got Hornchurch Station on the District Line or the tiny Emerson Park station on the "push & pull" between Romford & Upminster.

When people think of Gidea Park they usually think of the Exhibition Estate conservation area - beautiful early 20th century detached houses surrounding Raphael Park and the golf course. It's really
gorgeous but you wouldn't get much for less than a million. The rest of the RM2 (GP) postcode is still mostly nice and much more affordable. Main Road is the main "centre" of GP and it's only a short stretch but does have a good deli, the lovely Ship Pub, a couple of decent Indian restaurants, etc. Gidea Park station is connected to Stratford and Liverpool St. But when the Elizabeth Line opens properly we'll be able to get a direct train to the West End or even Heathrow! There's also a David Lloyd, which gives you another option for swimming lessons. Much more pricey than the leisure centre in Hornchurch but it does have a creche, kids club, outdoor pool and loads of family activities.

Of the areas you've mentioned, Elm Park is the least desirable. It's fine, I know plenty of people raising families there quite happily, but it's a little more rough around the edges and I wouldn't consider it with your budget.

Enjoy your visit tomorrow and feel free to PM me if you want to know anything else.

By the way my lunch recommendation would be Xich Lo, a little Vietnamese cafe on Hornchurch High Street.

With your budget and criteria, I'd be looking at this one:
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/117369044?utm_campaign=property-details&utm_content=buying&utm_medium=sharing&utm_source=copytoclipboard#/&channel=RES_BUY

Not the biggest but I think he location makes up for it.