North London family home - areas?

[Torganer]

Our mortgage term runs out next year and we are hoping to move. Currently live in zone 3 in a 2/3 bed house. Great commute, but we need somewhere bigger and have a 2yr old so need to think about schools.

We need to stay north due to family in east Herts. Can anyone recommend an area that has a friendly vibe, good commute to the city, and good schools (will be there ideally forever so need good secondary schools).

Ideally would love a 4 bed as we may have another child, but 3 bed is fine as long as there is good space. We like period properties and budget is up to £1m, but would obviously prefer to spend less! Don’t mind a bit of work. We have 2 tube stations and 3 train station in walking distance at the moment and only a 25min drive from the city. Would ideally like something similar. Thanks!!

We’ve looked at St Albans and it seems nice, have friends there who love it. Also have friends who have been happy in Bishop’s Stortford.

Thanks, sorry, I meant in London still! Ideally not outside the North Circular, but could go just outside. I’d like to still be able to cycle in if possible.

Wanstead?

Wanstead is more East than North London. Sorry

Chorleywood is nice. Tube links and some lovely houses

That would be fine, family live east Herts so not too far. Are the schools decent? The central line puts me off a little, am used to the Victoria and it’s so quick.

Barnet.

Thanks, but that’s too far out for us, we want to stay in London and I’d like to be able to cycle to the city a few times a week - don’t fancy doing that from there!!

Thanks, looking on a map, I think that might be too far.

Easy finchley, muswell hill, crouch end?

Southgate

We live in East Finchley, DH cycles to work in Moorgate daily. We have outstanding schools and you can walk to Highgate Woods/Muswell Hill from where we are. We like the area so much that we are willing to live in a flat all our lives to be able to stay here (as well as its surrounding areas).

You could get a house here for £1 million though it would be small, there are also cheaper streets where the house can be £725k.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/139222370#/floorplan?activePlan=1&channel=RES_BUY

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/139560992#/?channel=RES_BUY

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/131490611#/floorplan?activePlan=1&channel=RES_BUY

Highams Park is just outside the north circular but really lovely

You could get a small house in Canonbury, which is a pretty neighbourhood and super central, but I don't know what the schools are like.

Schools are excellent in Wanstead
All state primaries (wanstead church, snaresbrook, nightingale, lady of lourdes & aldersbrook) are outstanding (I think)

Wanstead high school has approx 39% grade 7-9 GCSE and small catchment area with lovely kids from professional families

Thanks these look good, I have a friend who lives there so have been a few times. We have been mostly looking at Crouch End, but I’m not convinced on it!

I used to live there, I love it but schools aren’t great, and can’t afford the sort of house I want there!! I think my list or requirements are far too high though!

Thank you, I did look around here but wasn’t too keen on it.

I think my list or requirements are far too high though!

Quite possibly ... even in Stoke Newington, which ticks all your boxes apart from having no tube and only the one rail line going into Liverpool St, you'd be hard pressed to get 4 bedrooms for £1m.

Have you looked at Walthamstow?

@MaximumSunshine that’s good to know. I know a few people who live nearby in Leytonstone and it seems quite nice when we’ve been to see them.

If you like period properties then Palmers Green could work, the Lakes Estate in particular where you could get a beautiful Edwardian semi for £1m. Or Winchmore Hill. Both just outside N Circ but still commutable to city. I also agree with pp that East Finchley, and Finchley in general, would work.

@Squiblet

Oh yes definitely, I have very definite ideas on the type of house too, I’d be one of those annoying people on Location Location!! Im not so keen on Stokey, I have always lived near there and people rave about it, but there’s something about it I not keen on but can’t put my finger on. I like Clissold Park though!

Barnet.
High Barnet
Hadleigh wood if you can stretch to it.

@Squiblet i have looked at a few in Walthamstow, I wasn’t sure about schools though. The only people I know who live there don’t have children.

Canonbury can be pretty hairy
Wanstead is lovely.