Buying a house in Carshalton

[WelshieinLondon]

Hi everyone,

My partner and I are looking to buy our first home. We really don't want a flat as we're hoping to start a family ASAP so would like more space and honestly have heard too many leasehold horror stories. We currently rent in Putney and love South West London so would like to stay not too far from Wimbledon etc. but unsurprisingly our budget won't stretch to that if we want more than a box!

We've been so spoilt the past few years here so we're aware that obviously no other areas are going to compare. We saw a house in Carshalton (SM5 postcode) on the weekend that we really liked, and we also explored the village/high street/ponds area which we really liked! We were planning to put an offer in but then found a couple of messages online saying to avoid the St Helier estate area (from what I can tell, the house we saw is on the edge of the estate).

Everything else about the house was great and honestly when we were there we thought the area was fine, it was very quiet and there were children out playing so we thought, it must be fairly safe. So I am wondering if anyone local or who has lived/looked to live in the area can help: is St Helier really that awful? If so, where else in the area is good to look at? Being a 20 min walk away from Mitcham Junction and a short bus ride away from Morden was a big plus for us. I suppose I am looking for reassurance that the whole area isn't a complete write-off, otherwise it's back to the drawing board :(

Thanks!

I live just inside the st Helier estate, we bought an ex council house in 2019 as it was more affordable. Where we live is a little rough round the edges (Rosehill) but I feel quite safe. Much safer than where I grew up in Dorset and also when we lived in Wimbledon town centre. You can check the crime rates by area on the police website if you're interested. Actual Carshalton village is further away and nicer but much more expensive.

Plus some very good schools in Sutton if you need them.

Thank you both @oneflewoverthe @sleepysleepytired! Great to hear that you feel safe - I think the house we saw is in a similar area, near the Wandle Valley Academy. I have lived in some really rough places before, and this didn't feel like that at all, so I was a bit thrown by some of the comments I've seen - but obviously am aware that visiting somewhere on a quiet Saturday morning doesn't always reflect what it's like the rest of the time!

What is your budget? One of my DC was renting in Putney and like you loved it but couldn't by there. They made the same move SW but your budget will small area is achievable.

Pretty much the very bottom end for houses, @C8H10N4O2! But we're just sick of renting and have decided we'd rather get on the ladder now even if it's a small house, so £400k ish. The house we've seen is on for £375k and there is another a couple of streets away on for £400k.

@WelshieinLondon definitely within your budget where you're looking then. I really missed Wimbledon when we moved but you get used to it. Lots of parks nearby and it's close to Wimbledon, Morden, Carshalton etc. we also wanted a house and not a tiny flat which is why we chose there. Our house is pretty small but bigger than our last rented flat at least.

That is very reassuring, @oneflewoverthe, thank you 🙏

That is pretty much where DC/partner were - sick of renting so moving for affordability. They looked around that general area and ended up in Sutton - nice residential area - its classic metroland arts and crafts build housing area with good schools etc.

They could have bought a slightly bigger house in a slightly less popular area but they didn't need the extra space and wanted more garden.

I have friends in Carshalton which is also nice but the good parts tend to be pricier than the good parts of Sutton for some reason (plus the houses they looked at in Carshalton tended to be modern style with tiny gardens). Its only a couple of years since they bought and I don't think the market has changed much in that time. You won't get a big house in either area for 400k but you can get on the housing ladder with a small starter house and Carshalton and Sutton are both decent residential areas.

That's good to hear @C8H10N4O2! I think we might ask to go and see this one again, and walk around the area a bit more, and if not keep looking around Carshalton/Sutton

We're inside the St Helier Estste, SM5 too. We've been there since 2015 and have never felt unsafe. There are lots of good schools, it's very good for commuting. You've been Carshalton, Sutton and Wimbledon very close, plus Cheam etc going further out. Also close to the hospital which has come in handy!

Glad to hear it @Wolowl!