Give me ideas for where to live - London/surrounds affordable, leafy, hipster vibes

[CharlotteB94]

Good evening all,

I'm looking for ideas for places to move to later this year with DH and new baby when born.

We currently live in Battersea, budget up to £600k max, want something 2 bed, modern, outside space.

Area is important to us, location is flexible though - DH works in the City and we want to move further out for more affordability.

The type of area we're looking for is somewhere buzzing, with trendy cafes and brunch spots. The type of vibe I have in mind, is a more affordable alternative to to places like De Beauvoir, Hackney Wick, Walthamstow Village, or (much more affordable!) places like Fulham, Dulwich village, Richmond, etc. Hipster cafes, boutique gyms, yoga studios, nice little local restaurants, breweries etc. Safe and community feel. Some places we've looked at like Surbiton/Weybridge do feel a little 'suburban' and not much going on as we're used to. (NO shade to anyone who lives there just us!)

Would be open to a village within 1 hr of London where there is the above trendy 'ex-Londoner' things existing e.g. we were looking at Godalming which does seem to have more trendy / boutiquey places to eat etc. My parents live in Oxfordshire, so not too far in the other direction.

Looked at the likes of Guildford, Reigate, etc, definitely on the cards but still so expensive for what you get. I'm sure there are places that exist that we've never heard of so not considering!

If anywhere rings a bell, let me know!

Gawd if you afford it stay where you are. I love Battersea Village. Can't afford to live there though.

Laughing at the fact you think Dulwich is trendy and buzzing. It has a pizza express, a real Greek, one independent restaurant and an average pub. And is full of rich old toffs.

Hmm, I think your priorities are going to change somewhat very shortly, and you should maybe be thinking about nursery spaces, primary schools, GP practices, parks, playgrounds, swimming pools, sports facilities, etc, rather than hipster feeling brunch spots.....

It’s very dull, it’s fine, but there’s not a lot to do. Depends what you’re used to really, Chingford is next door and has a bit more going on with Epping Forest on the doorstep and bars and restaurants and shops. I don’t think Highams Park is particularly close to Walthamstow, if you want Walthamstow just move there, you’re closer to central and have the benefit of a tube station as well as trains and busses.

I think places like Highams Park, Chingford, Enfield, Woodford Green are great if you want a more quiet suburban life and easy access to London, but depending on where you work, you could probably get that same feel moving a bit further out and with a shorter commute, better schools, more land, etc.

There's the art gallery and park too but yep, it's a lovely, safe, dull area.

Haslemere is about as far from 'hipster' as you can get. I mean, it makes Godalming look like Hoxton. Also, no more DFLs please.
Cranleigh is rough - there are some very scary people living there who if you ever cross them, even accidentally, will make your life hell. So maybe more appropriate for DFLs -they should feel right athome.

I dont know if I'd describe Chingford and Highams Park as buzzy and hip but they do have a lot to offer. Easy commute to Liverpool Street, Epping Forest on your doorstep etc.

I'd say Wanstead and Snaresbrook but you'd be looking at a flat rather than a house for 600k.

I was going to caution to moving too far out, my close friend moved years ago to Bishops Stortford and she found it very dull with 2 young DC, she was constantly trying to get me to move there!

Banstead and Claygate I've heard are nice if you'd like to go outside London.

I live in this area. It's lovely. But the London overground (ginger line) which they try to say is the same as the tube, it really isn't.

DB lives in Hackney and it's far easier and quicker to get the other ginger line from Hackney Central or a quick bus ride to Mile End or even go to Homerton. His SIL who also lived in Hackney used to get the Thames Clipper to Tate Modern or Britain (don't ask how she got there!).

Agree it is super dull and quite insular. Pretty though