Where to live in North London Suburbs

[Cavewomansue]

Nice problem to have! But it’s a bit new to us as have spent the last 30 years in zone 1/2 so would really love some thoughts and advice.

We want a bigger house, bigger garden nice and quiet but with walking distance amenities and green spaces. We still need to go into central London for work/socially but are fairly relaxed about which tube line/station because of hybrid working. We want to be in North London so we can easily drive to family in Suffolk/Essex.

Where would you buy if you had up to around £1.3million? Ideally it would be closer to £900k so we could renovate and extend.

Schools aren’t an issue.

I had wondered whether Whetstone might fit the bill? But I’m sure there are less well known and lovely bits of Finchley, Barnet and Enfield etc that might be affordable if there is no premium for school catchments etc?

Does anyone have ideas? All thoughts welcome.

I would go for Muswell Hill over the areas you mention. You will need your
top budget of £1.3M though for a nice house.

Thank you :) . I thought we would get “more” house for our money going further out? Muswell Hill feels like somewhere where you pay a premium for schools? Any ideas about hidden gems?

Muswell Hill has a nicer feel than places like Barnet or Enfield to my mind with independent shops, restaurants and a nice cinema. The housing stock is largely very attractive period properties. And the huge benefit of Ally Pally on the doorstep as well as Highgate woods.

Im sorry I don’t know any hidden gems in areas further out but hopefully others will be along soon to suggest places.

Winchmore Hill might fit the bill.

Also Mill Hill is nice but probably more similar to Muswell Hill.

Totteridge. Hadley Wood near Barnet. (Wouldn’t get anything for 900k there though)

Thank you

Cockfosters, Southgate, Oakwood, Hadley Wood, Whetstone, Woodside Park, East Barnet Village, Grange Park, Worlds End/Wades Hill end of Winchmore Hill, High Barnet, Arkley

Were looking around barnet but with a smaller budget. You could get something nice for 900k.

I am in south herts but wouldn't recommend unless you don't particularly need reliable transport in as thamleslink is a bit hit and miss.

I wonder how people.park in muswell Hill as its always crammed, plus not on tube lines. Personally I like visiting there for an hour or so but don't get the love for it.

You might also want to consider north-east: North Chingford (area around the TfL station), Woodford, Wanstead, Buckhurst Hill. Nice properties in your price range, easy to get to Essex/Suffolk and good overground and tube connections

I would look at Winchmore Hill around winchmore hill green and the roads off The Broadwalk, it has a mainline station and some of the roads you can walk to Southgate underground from. I also like Whetstone a lot and Cockfosters but Cockfosters feels very far out & as lovely as it is with access to Trent Park, tube, lots of restaurants it’s a but dull (no offence to anyone that lives there).

Another vote for Winchmore Hill

Monken Hadley/High Barnet fits your bill. We used to live in Barnet & moved to Suffolk. DS3 lives in High Barnet, so we visit often. Monken Hadley has a big common and there are parks and Hadley Wood within walking distance or a short drive away.

People tend to walk a lot plus use the buses into central London or bus to Highgate tube.

People have cars but maybe use them only for driving out of Muswell Hill not so much around Muswell Hill as very limited parking as you say.

Thank you all - plenty to follow up on 😊

Muswell Hill and Southgate are both leafy. Personally, for that money and if you want easy access to Suffolk, I would look at Aldersbrook/Wanstead. You're on the edge of Epping, beautiful big houses, nice high street, good transport. I reckon you could get a beautiful house for £1m around there.