Forest Gate -Radlett Cllose

[lrish]

Hi All
Can you please let me know - if Radlett close, Forest Gate is a nice area to buy property.

As it's brand new house, near to central London - this is pique my interest. Additionally, travel cost will reduce by 70%. We currently renting in Richmond which is very expensive.

Your recommendations & suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

I wouldn't advise to buy or rent in places like Forest Gate, Maryland, Leyton or Stratford.

And I say that as someone who has a flat nearby.

Yes, the area has improved over the past decade with the Olympics regeneration and there are a lot of new facilities (Westfield shopping centre, gyms, pool, Elizabeth park) in nearby Stratford and it is good for transport.

But there is still a lot of anti-social behaviour and some parts are really grim. GPs in this area not good at all and schools are patchy.

Especially coming from Richmond I don't think you would like the area as it would be a huge change.

If you want to go East, try places a bit further like Leytonstone, Wanstead, South Woodford, Woodford Green, Buckurst Hill that might be a bit more expensive that Forest Gate but will be much nicer.

FWIW we have just bought in forest gate and are happy with the area. We’re fairly close to the Wanstead flats, which we love, have got good value for our money compared with other areas we considered and the Lizzy line is excellent (and even better from Nov!). So for us it’s worked out really well. Also really like the cafe/ bar/ other community stuff popping up under the arches.

I grew up in Forest Gate and I still visit a lot. That will be a massive, massive culture shock for you moving from Richmond. It's improved in recent years but it is still very much gritty inner city London.

Im a big fan of FG but you need to get the right area - basically near the flats in the bit that is in Waltham Forest or bordering it. WF is much better than Newham for stuff like bin collections. Schools and GPs are fine and transport is excellent.

Agree though that you would find it a change from Richmond! Also new builds will lose value quickly. You’d be better off buying an older house with that budget.

Grew up in Forest Gate. It ain't Richmond or any leafy bit of SW London, that's for sure.

I'm sorry to be a doom monger. But that bit of Forest Gate is not somewhere I'd be happy walking around after dark. There are lots of sketchy characters around and Romford Road has issues with prostitution.
I have family who live near that area. Nothing would persuade me to move there.

Head to Leytonstone, Wanstead, Woodford and Snaresbrook.

Yes agreed having just checked out the location - avoid Romford road!

Forest Gate is gritty, even for zone 3, but there’s a lot to like and it has come a long way in the past 10 years.

Radlett close is a long way from all the cafe culture and pretty, tree lined avenues of period housing. Those new builds look nice, but if I had 725k to spend I wouldn’t spend it there. The house on Thorpe Road would seem a much more attractive proposition.

Forest Gate is a hole.
A world away from Richmond and I think you’d hate it, sorry.

oh...no...i gave up a yoga class in FG....decided to have a walk around a few evenings along the high st...depressing...junkies...some passed out on pavements etc....grimey....there is a nice pocket of FG...near wanstead ....we are in leyton...full of wealthy yummy mummy types now....prices not dropped a penny as big demand....agent friend selling over asking prices still.....!!!

In the 1950's and 60's it was quite posh and jewish...they all fled to redbridge etc and now moved on....lots of hmo on romford road and half way houses etc....i find it depressing area....

Oh god I was reading this thread thinking - wtf has happened, how can an area go downhill so fast - and then realised it was Forest Gate, not Forest Hill!!!

What is your budget and where do you need to commute to, OP? Maybe we can suggest areas that might work for you.

''we are in leyton...full of wealthy yummy mummy types now..''

Not really my experience. It is equally grim.

You could look at Walthamstow but again there are good bits of Walthamstow and other bits. Also they don't really want anyone to drive but only to use public transport.

well we are off francis road, since 1969, paid very little, all new neighbours are architects, accountants etc.....gift shop in francis road has socks for 60 quid a pair etc..cnadles at 30 quid.....lots of cafes......the high road is a bit grim...all albanian mafia cafes now...about 7 of them...and the awful club on the corner which used to be a bank years ago....but have often walked home alone back from the tube and all ok....didnt like walking about FG...lots of dodgey types about.

Hi Xiaoxiong
Thank you for your feedback
Out budget is 750k and I have to travel to Canary Wharf and my partner to Bromley. Our DD has just started secondary school this year.

We are very new to London moved only last year

@lrish

How about Beckenham or Crystal Palace if your partner needs to travel to Bromley?

Beckenham is really nice, lots of green spaces, nice leisure centre, good Hugh street and safe.

Also Penge and Sidcup nearby might be worth a look.

I wouldn't move to thst area if you have the choice. It's not a great area and life is too short to have to worry about being able to walk at night or having your bike stolen etc.

Secondary schools should be the biggest focus of your search, not looking for a new build. You could do a lot worse than Forest Gate, or East Ham, with your budget - but do your research on schools and get to know the streets.

The commute to Bromley would be awful, through - I’d want to be south of the river for that. Have a look at Plumstead, or you might even find something in budget around Catford. Both are also gritty, and 90% of Mumsnet would never consider living there, but 3 beds for 750k doesn’t go all that far in Zone 3..

Something like this would feel more suitable? www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/121290002#/?channel=RES_BUY