How is living in Isleworth? (Plane noise, sewage, is it safe etc)

[Iamabarbiegirl]

Don’t know much about the area, know that the village is nice and there are good schools.
Properties are more affordable than other parts of SW London which makes me think there must be some downsides to it. I heard of plane noise and sewage, anyone knows the area well?

Hiya,

My husband and I have been living in Isleworth for the last two years. We absolutely love it. Yes, the planes overhead are pretty regular, but honestly you get used to it very quickly and we genuinely never notice. We have also never noticed any sewage smell at all.

It might not be as glamorous as neighbouring areas (Richmond, St Margaret's etc.) - as you say, it is more affordable, so there is slightly less in the way of shops on the doorstep - but it has a really lovely friendly feel and so much going for it - easy access to the river, nice cafes, lots of green space. It's not where you would move if you want somewhere exciting/buzzy, but it is a lovely family area that always feels very cosy and safe to us.

We really do love where we live!

@Mattietoes thank you! Main things we care about are: safety, commute, schools, good amenities and generally a nice vibe.
Would £500K get us a decent sized 2 bed property or 3 bed (garden flat/maisonette/terraced)?

Are there parts to avoid for the smell?

Commute - depends a bit where you want to get to. We use Isleworth overground station, which goes into Waterloo. Also Piccadilly line stations (Hounslow East/Osterley) a walk/short bus away.

We don't have school-aged children but lots of 'Good' rated primary schools (Worple, Isleworth Town) and a couple might be 'Outstanding' I think (a couple are religious). In terms of secondaries, there is Brentford School for girls and Isleworth and Syon for boys, Boulder Academy is co-ed. Also quite a few catholic/C of E options.

Honestly, we have not noticed the smell once, in any part of Isleworth!! So can't really say re specific areas to avoid...

Budget-wise - yes, £500k would get you a very attractive two-bed or three bed requiring a bit of cosmetic work/in a slightly less desirable part. 500 was our budget and we had plenty of options (we are in a 2 bed with additional loft room).

Amenities - there are a couple of small supermarkets, quite a few cafes, including one that does lovely ice cream, and various other shops. Really nice pubs (eg London Apprentice right on the river).

Can only speak for us but we love the vibe! Friendly and down to earth, a really nice sense of community.

@Mattietoes interesting! Will check it out!
yes commute into waterloo is good as I work in central London.
I just wasn’t sure why it’s “affordable” compared to other parts of SW London, assumed there was a rough side to it as I am used to prices I cannot afford!
Did u get a 2 bed house or flat if I can ask?

IDK the area but Osterly has a reputation for being one of the friendliest parkrunsif you want to meet people...

It's cheaper cos there's nothing much there, Mogden sewage works & borders Hounslow which is grim imo. There are some nicer parts than others for sure. Why don't you go for a day out there, drive round & see for yourself!

@hursty900 I definitely will! Any areas I should avoid?

I think there is a rougher side to it - around the Ivybridge estate/Twickenham Tesco. In estate agent speak, there is 'Old Isleworth' where the houses are very uniform Victorian terraces (and not very affordable!!) and Isleworth Town (our area) where houses are more of a mixture in terms of era/size. We are in a two bed Victorian house. For £500k you would mainly be looking at houses, possibly large flats - in Old Isleworth houses are more like 700 minimum, but plenty for around 500 elsewhere in Isleworth.

My husband does Osterley park run and can confirm it's very friendly!

Yep ivybridge notorious for drugs.

We know Isleworth well and enjoy the riverside area. Some nice period houses and walks. However, the planes come in every 45 seconds and you can see the whites of the pilots eyes. This put us off buying there.

Would definitely agree there is not loads in Isleworth - compared to eg Richmond where there are cinemas, lots of restaurants, theatre etc... but when you live here you do discover lovely local places!

Sorry to jump on this, what is the area around Marlborough school/ Syon Lane like? In terms of safety, services, smell… is it a good area or one to avoid?

I lived in TW2 postcode for years, classed as Twickenham, but personally I'd describe it as Whitton (Rugby stadium end) and I bordered Isleworth.

The plane noise is horrendous, and you don't "just get used to it". Having to shut patio doors on a Summers day, so you don't have to turn the TV volume constantly up and down, to adjust for plane noise. Plus the pollution. If the wind was blowing the wrong way you could absolutely smell Mogden Sewage Works.

To anyone enquiring about this general area, I always recommend downloading the Flightradar24 app to see exactly what is flying overhead and when.

I moved out to the home counties and miss nothing about the area, although I appreciate everyone's circumstances are different.

I used to live there. It’s fine.
I moved to Whitton which is similar price wise and which I much preferred (although Whitton is mainly 1930s semis above your budget and isleworth is much more mixed).
It doesn’t have much of a centre. Sprawls about with very different areas. If you do go for a day you’ll probably end up around Old Isleworth and the riverside pubs. Nice walk to Richmond.
Specific areas matter! If you find somewhere on Rightmove post here again for local knowledge.

Hello,

We are trying to buy a house near Knellers Garden which is classified as Whitton but borders with Isleworth - TW7 postcode. Any idea about this area? Any info will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

I could not live in Isleworth due to the airplane noise. It was the worst decision of my life to try and live in Isleworth.