Amersham Bucks

[HuntyGirl]

DH and I are looking for a new house in this area. I work in London so will be good for the commute.

Through my research, I see that there is Old Amersham and Amersham on the Hill/New Amersham. Old Amersham is more expensive but New Amersham is more convenient for travel into London etc. We are therefore looking at New Amersham for commutability.

My question is, is Amersham broken down further into smaller areas other than these two? Or is it literally only these two distinct areas? I would be grateful for any guidance on areas to avoid or what is better generally from those who know/have experience. Thanks!

Thanks. From my research and what I can see, Amersham seems quite small? I'm moving from a small city with c. 100k people so will be quite a bit smaller for us. That's why I'm struggling with the notion that there might be "bad areas", when it doesn't seem big enough for there to be 😅

It just seems as if (aside from Old Amersham obviously being superior to New Amersham), there are roads that are more desirable than others, in better primary catchments? But in general, everywhere is lovely? Also, we are limited by the fact we want a semi, and a lot of the houses seem to be detached

We are happy to pay for prep school so more concerned about the actual house/whether the prices are inflated/the roads are good etc

I think the majority of incomers put more money towards the house take advantage of the decent state schools.

@HuntyGirl Your budget isn’t huge for Amersham. I really would expect most people in the roads you can afford are using the state schools. Many people in this area are happy with the very good state schools because they know many other professional parents will be doing the same. This town has plenty of bright DC. @LIZS is right.

It’s inevitable some areas are less desirable. It’s not 100% leafy lane and problem families do exist! If a road looks neat and tidy it’s a good road! And most do.

@TizerorFizz @LIZS thanks. I appreciate our budget is small for Amersham, which is why we aren't looking at Old Amersham or detached houses. We've seen a few things in our budget so hopefully will be fine

It's outpatients and elderly rehab wards. AE is Stoke Mandeville. Wycombe has an urgent care centre and a cardiac and stroke unit / elective surgery.
All 3 part of Buckinghamshire Healthcare Trust.

@Nonewclothes2024 thanks ☺️

Very useful thread. If you don't mind, apart from Tesco, where else do people shop? Any markets or other stores? Where are the nearest ethic grocers? For an array of fish, seafood and fruits such as mangoes and pineapples n the summer?

Amersham on the Hill has several small supermarkets. The Iceland closed down though! Market every Tuesday. Mangos and pineapples widely available.

Shops serving the ethnic community are in Chesham plus a Waitrose. Try the Polish deli in Chesham and The Grocer in Old Amersham for something different.

There is often a farmers market in Amersham as well. Plenty of lovely small indies in Amersham and the surrounding villages.

Does anyone know if Little Chalfont is much different to Amersham in terms of vibe and prices?

Some very nasty areas in little Chalfont and some very nice areas.

Avoid the main toad white lion Rd. And the bell lane end of Elizabeth avenue. I lived the a long while ago and there was drugs and loud people walking home at night but I am going back years.

There's a birthing centre at Wycombe, but anything more than low risk will have to trek to Stoke Mandeville. I've had friends from both Wycombe and Leighton Buzzard give birth at SM, which shows the spread of the areas it covers.

I don't know Amersham particularly well, but a 3 bed semi for under £700k sounds pretty cheap for the area so I'd definitely suggest a drive around and look at the houses you've shared.

Looking at the Rightmove links provided, the Mortens Road property looks ex-local authority. That often means bigger rooms, though can be seen as less desirable.

The Stanley Hill one is on a very busy road - personally I'd discount it for that alone.

My take on Amersham is that the areas are:

• old town - prettiest, oldest (obvs!) and v expensive (nothing online at the moment - doesn't come up often)
• new town (north) - gorgeous houses and also v expensive - £850k https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/86545089#/?channel=RES_BUY
• new town (south - in between old and new) - more affordable, but not so attractive (as per your posts)

A bit further afield, I know someone that lived in this road since they were built and really liked it - Chalfont St Peter. I dropped him home from work a few times and it was a nice area. It's in the Challoners catchment area.

It's pretty similar but I'd say there's some larger/more impressive houses in LC than Amersham. There's a good choice for different budgets and it's one stop nearer on the tube.

@PurpleBugz White Lion flats area wasn’t great but is much better now. Bell Lane School is now an Academy called Chalfont Valley and is vastly improved. The least desirable bit of Little Chalfont is where you describe but most of LC is desirable. Very big houses as you drive to Chalfont St Giles.

The best houses in Amersham on the Hill are mostly as you go out towards Heatherton House school and beyond and The Beacon as you drive towards Chesham. Bois Wood area in particular. These areas won’t have many semis though.

These are in decent areas. Stanley Hill
is busy ish but it’s a wide road with pavements and most houses are set back. It’s always been a decent enough area. I’m attaching properties that are in good areas. The most desirable semis are over £1m so paying less won’t get the best but will get pleasant enough!

A few more. I’ve added the expensive one for comparison.

We are considering viewing the first house as we really like it. We wouldn't want to offer asking though but we don't know what would be an acceptable offer

Also @TizerorFizz - that house is near the roundabout. Is it a super busy roundabout? We're going to visit this weekend but doubt it will be reflective of how it usually js

@HuntyGirl It’s just down the road from the Amersham School so this will generate traffic. Stanley Hill leads up to Little Chalfont and the roundabout mostly takes traffic from the ring road along the A413 towards London. It’s all single carriageway. It’s busy at peak times.

Personally I’d pay more and get a better road but these houses are attractive to look at.

How wedded are you to Amersham? How often are you commuting?

@TizerorFizz will be in the office 2/3 days a week. Work towards the end of the Met line so definitely want to be on the Met line

I’ve attached a few more. Great Kingshill area might help. The school there is very good. The Windsor Lane bungalow is on a good road. You could add value if you make changes in the future.

So not sure Great Kingshill would be for you. Better value though!

Just to say, if you want Amersham I think you will have to compromise. The Stanley Ave house has a good garden. It’s not close to the station though.