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Original poster

Seeking Advice: Looking for Family-Friendly Areas to Buy a House in London

20 replies

LondonExplorerMama · 08/08/2023 11:40

Hey there,

My husband and I are currently in the renting game and on the hunt for a house in the lovely city of London. Oh, and we've got a sweet little 2-month-old baby in tow!

We're on the lookout for a cozy 3-bedroom house to call our own. The thing is, London's a big place, and we're not exactly experts on all the neighborhoods. We're not sure where to set our sights or where to avoid like the plague.

So, here's the deal: Could anyone out there give us the lowdown on some awesome spots to check out? Here's what we're after:

  • We're waving our budget flag at around £450,000.
  • A 3-bedroom house with a chill garden is the dream.
  • family-friendly
  • Kid-friendly vibes are a must.
  • Safety first, so less crime, please!
  • Cleanliness is close to godliness.
  • Good schools nearby? Yes, please.
  • Shops just around the corner would be aces.
  • Not looking to spend forever on the commute to central London.
  • Train station within a mile? Sounds perfect.

Speaking of commutes, we're all about that easy train ride. Let's keep it under 30 minutes, shall we?

We've got a bit of a European vibe going on and we're used to the convenience of city living, so that's what we're hoping to find here. Yeah, we've got quite the wishlist, but any advice from the seasoned Londoners out there would be an absolute game-changer.

Big thanks in advance!

OP posts:
Whenwillglorioussummercome · 08/08/2023 13:22

OP, I think you're going to hugely struggle on your budget. Out of interest I put 'London' into Rightmove with your requirements, and got about 250 results for the whole city, and without looking at the houses in detail, I'd guess there's a chance they won't meet the rest of your requirements fully! But you never know.

Maybe try doing that and seeing what sort of areas are coming up and ask a bit more about them? Eg this one is in Hither Green, which meets some of your requirements but probably not all: 3 bedroom terraced house for sale in South Park Crescent, London, SE6 (rightmove.co.uk)

If I were you, I'd think about what compromises you're most willing to make. You'll have a LOT more choice if you're willing to live in a flat for example. How much work would you be willing to take on (bearing in mind the cost of doing renovation and building work right now)? Would you be prepared to commute by overground train where a 20 minute commute would open up some of the commuter belt, even if you lose some of the city vibe?

Check out this 3 bedroom terraced house for sale on Rightmove

3 bedroom terraced house for sale in South Park Crescent, London, SE6 for £450,000. Marketed by Reeds Rains, Catford

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/136812575#/?channel=RES_BUY

TheFoxCatcher · 08/08/2023 13:26

There are limited places in london where you can get a 3-bed house for £450k unfortunately. SE and parts of east London suburbs might be your best bet. You’ll really have to do your research, though, as for that price you won’t be getting bijou family areas.

JohnnyM · 08/08/2023 13:29

With that budget and that wish list, London, and pretty much anywhere on a tube line into London, is not an option (but I think you know that as you already referenced commuting in).

A lot depends on where in central London you need to commute to i.e. City, West End, elsewhere, etc. as you could need another 30 mins once you event get into a London terminus, or you might then be able to just walk to work without tube/bus (saving time/additional costs).

Billericay could tick a lot of boxes and is just about doable with that budget. 30 mins to Liverpool Street. Fab park for kids (Lake Meadows). Good schools (both primary and secondary). Decent High Street with Waitrose, cafes, pubs, shops, etc.

Safest/nicest areas in my view are north or east Billericay (not south green/outwood common side). Prob get something in budget within a mile (or just over) of station in Brightside (good) or Buttsbury (brilliant) infant/junior school catchment areas e.g.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/134626247#/?channel=RES_BUY

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/137596679#/?channel=RES_BUY

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/135052412#/?channel=RES_BUY

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/86274261#/?channel=RES_BUY

Sunnyshoeshine · 08/08/2023 13:31

We are SW London (Mitcham / Colliers Woos borders) and 2.5 bed houses with garden (ie 2 beds + a boxroom) go for 450k ish on our road. Look for roads closer to Colliers Wood and avoid anything near Phipps Bridge. Primary schools are ok but you might have to move before Secondary. The streets are not the tidiest but Merton council are useless and we were fine to compromise on that to be in z3 with a 45mins commute.

Horriblewoman · 08/08/2023 13:31

30 minutes to where though? Central London could be a number of places!

Almahart · 08/08/2023 13:34

Sorry I see others have posted houses that look as if they are a much better fit! London is an expensive city, I hope you find something that works

sheworemellowyellow · 08/08/2023 13:42

I think you have quite a lot of research to do, OP, especially the hard legwork of visiting places. If you’re prepared to double that commute time (at least), and up your budget to closer to 600k, you could find what you’re looking for in the outer parts of NW London. Not sure what you mean by family-friendly or kid-friendly: this is a city of over 8,000,000 people. There are families everywhere.

Congrats on the baby!

donkra · 08/08/2023 13:46

Yeah. Your wishlist is a nonstarter without a significantly higher budget.

Where exactly in London are you commuting to, and which parts of your wishlist are more important? (And what on earth do you mean by the "cleanliness" bit? Keeping your pad clean is up to you, but boroughs aren't really more or less dirty.)

HavfrueDenizKisi · 08/08/2023 13:55

A 3 bed house with garden, with a 30 min commute to central london on £450. Good luck with that!

Wannabemamas · 13/12/2023 17:23

Sorry but as others have said, you either look for a 2 bed flat or move much much further out to get what you are looking for with £450K budget. I know it seems a lot (actually it is A LOT) but doesn’t go far in London.
Where are you commuting to and would you consider a longer commute?

ACynicalDad · 13/12/2023 17:26

I’d look at the eastern ends of the Elizabeth line. Abbey Wood May we’ll come up as Woolwich has.

SD25 · 13/12/2023 17:28

Norwood Junction. It's rough round the edges but improving - that's what you'll get for that money. And has a fast train to London Bridge.

pantjog · 13/12/2023 17:50

Zombie thread. OP hasn’t come back. Post very weirdly written. By a bot?!

Twiglets1 · 13/12/2023 18:00

pantjog · 13/12/2023 17:50

Zombie thread. OP hasn’t come back. Post very weirdly written. By a bot?!

I thought the same thing. Written by a bot because surely no one thinks you can get all that in London with a budget of 450k??
£1.450M maybe.

Wannabemamas · 13/12/2023 19:34

@pantjog @Twiglets1 what would the purpose be for that though?

pantjog · 13/12/2023 20:46

Maybe someone just trying it out and/or having a laugh at the innocent MNers’ expense? Dunno.

LindorDoubleChoc · 13/12/2023 21:24

I missed this at the time, but what a peculiar thread!

Twiglets1 · 14/12/2023 12:02

SD25 · 14/12/2023 11:03

Lol - well it does have a "chill garden" I guess if that means a garden you never make any effort with 😂

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