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Original poster

1st time buyer..in London (Help!)

36 replies

Chickpealover · 19/04/2023 11:26

Dear mums,
I am new to this community and would love to learn from the collective wisdom! We are going to start a family soon and I am looking to come back into London (not Zone 2 west London where I lived) but somewhere that is still relatively 'affordable' for a 2.5 bed that will suit us for at least a 5 year period whilst we grow our family and offer safety, good nurseries, decent commute (DH and I both work centrally on the Bakerloo/Northern/Elizabeth lines). We moved to a beautiful suburban town in Bucks but I am finding it quite isolating and would like to be near similar couples, in a diverse community and one that offers activities for pregnant and new mums.
We started our search in NW and SW London (e.g. Pinner) but cannot find what we like in our budget (850 sqft +) - have explored Forest Hill, New Cross and Canada Water but not getting much in our budget there either. Have recently started exploring Tulse Hill and surroundings but would love any advice on which roads/areas should be avoided. We love the feel of West Hampstead, Little Venice, parts of Chiswick, Pinner, Islington so looking for something that isn't as expensive but offers similar experience (and wondering if I am trying to find the impossible!) I have never lived East or south of the river so finding it all a bit hard to navigate.
Any recommendations on other areas to look at would be hugely helpful as I would really like us to buy before the year is out.
Thank you!! 😊

OP posts:
Thread gallery
12
IwanttoworkforThomasNightingale · 19/04/2023 11:27

It’ll help if you include your budget?

Original poster
Chickpealover · 19/04/2023 12:04

IwanttoworkforThomasNightingale · 19/04/2023 11:27

It’ll help if you include your budget?

We could look at up to the very max of £580k. Thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
Chickpealover · 19/04/2023 12:05

Budget: £500-£600k (not much, I know!).

OP posts:
EssexMamisoa · 19/04/2023 14:27

What about Wanstead, Chingford or South Woodford. Although your budget may not stretch far in Wanstead of South Woodford. Chingford maybe ok. All east postcodes, and yes look very east on the tube lines, but actually are more North East (look on google maps not the tube line) and lots of green spaces and quick into central. Family central here lots of young mums.

Bear2014 · 19/04/2023 14:28

You should be able to get what you want in West Norwood like this example here.

It's a lovely family area with a monthly food festival and street market, a library and cinema etc. I would definitely avoid the area immediately around Tulse Hill station as the junction of the South Circular is very busy and noisy and notoriously not very safe. That being said, having the Thameslink on hand is very useful.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/133626008#/?channel=RES_BUY

Check out this 3 bedroom maisonette for sale on Rightmove

3 bedroom maisonette for sale in Broxholm Road, London, SE27 for £600,000. Marketed by Purplebricks, covering South East London

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/133626008#/?channel=RES_BUY

Bear2014 · 19/04/2023 14:31

Whoops posted the wrong link, there is one on the same road with a garden. Things are going below asking price at the moment so there should be some deals to be done.

Original poster
Chickpealover · 19/04/2023 19:26

Thank you all - looking at Morden and expanding the search towards Streatham, Mitcham, West Norwood, etc. @Bear2014 @SG2000

Looked at South Woodford and Leytonstone but the commute looks a tad bit long - will explore if there are pockets within the reach of Elizabeth line that may work (any thoughts on Forest Gate?). @EssexMamisoa

OP posts:
EssexMamisoa · 19/04/2023 19:31

Chickpealover · 19/04/2023 19:26

Thank you all - looking at Morden and expanding the search towards Streatham, Mitcham, West Norwood, etc. @Bear2014 @SG2000

Looked at South Woodford and Leytonstone but the commute looks a tad bit long - will explore if there are pockets within the reach of Elizabeth line that may work (any thoughts on Forest Gate?). @EssexMamisoa

Re commute from South Woodford, Wanstead - I commute to Liverpool Street and it’s amazing. Obviously that’s the right side of London for here. I don’t really know forest gate so I don’t want to comment too much, but I believe it’s more up and coming, less green spaces and quirky. I could be wrong!!

EssexMamisoa · 19/04/2023 19:32

Forest Gate is proper east London though, whereas South Woodford, Wanstead, chingford are less so

Original poster
Chickpealover · 19/04/2023 20:25

@EssexMamisoa got it - thank you. We are commuting into Paddington/Charing Cross hence I think the commutes get a bit long from the East but I will keep looking for pockets...😄

OP posts:
Lcb123 · 19/04/2023 20:28

West Norwood is great we lived there 5 years. It’s not on Tube therefore cheaper but trains are good and bus to Brixton tube is easy. Lots of parks, picturehouse cinema, nice pubs and cafes. Always felt safe

Lcb123 · 19/04/2023 20:31

just saw your commute - I’d look at places on the southeastern train line into Charing Cross as then easy bakerloo to Paddington. Hither Green is lovely! And Blackheath but maybe too expensive. I love Beckenham Place Park there’s lots of stations around there

trying29 · 19/04/2023 20:50

What about Crystal Palace area ? We live just outside Crystal Palace and bought a 3bed end of terrace house with garden for 550k last year. Norwood junction station is 12 mins to London Bridge and really well connected. Not the tube but worth considering. Lots of young families and good schools

Notsuchacleverclogs · 19/04/2023 21:11

Chickpealover · 19/04/2023 19:26

Thank you all - looking at Morden and expanding the search towards Streatham, Mitcham, West Norwood, etc. @Bear2014 @SG2000

Looked at South Woodford and Leytonstone but the commute looks a tad bit long - will explore if there are pockets within the reach of Elizabeth line that may work (any thoughts on Forest Gate?). @EssexMamisoa

This might be too small for you but its well under budget, on a nice road and has a few couple of good nurseries within walking distance. Plus its walkable to Colliers Wood for the Northern Line.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/132987497

Check out this 3 bedroom house for sale on Rightmove

3 bedroom house for sale in Rodney Road, Mitcham, CR4 for £475,000. Marketed by Ellisons, Colliers Wood

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/132987497

Original poster
Chickpealover · 20/04/2023 16:30

Thank you all - some really good ideas! Hadn't thought of Hither Green - looking at Streatham as well, and Norwood areas.
Really like Balham but fear we will grow out of the space too soon and want a house that takes up through a good 5 years at least. Will also note the other areas mentioned - Beckenham, etc.

OP posts:
shadytree · 20/04/2023 18:43

Anywhere near vicinity of south Norwood has both the 12 min train to London Bridge, overground, and the Selhurst link to Victoria. Will be within your budget.

SD25 · 21/04/2023 14:35

another vote for Norwood Junction. fast to London Bridge and direct to Farringdon for the Elizabeth Line. still affordable and Brown and Green Cafe just opened there!

Mosaic123 · 21/04/2023 17:45

I have a relative who moved a year ago from Wanstead to Forest Gate as 3 bed houses in Wanstead were £1m plus. In the nicer parts of Forest Gate they are still £700k+ I'm afraid. Have you looked at Highams Park and Chingford? Both nice areas

Davros · 01/05/2023 21:58

I always suggest Hanwell