Share your secrets of lovely villagey (and affordable!) places to live in London, please!

[PiperG]

Having ummed and ahhed a lot about moving out of the Big Smoke, we have now realised that we are not quite ready to give up London life, so are looking for somewhere to move in London that will give us a bit more space. Can anyone recommend places in London that have a friendly, villagey feel - good independent shops etc (I long for a decent local butcher!) - and lots of green space nearby - and good primary schools - where we could get a 3 bed house for around 350K?? seems a tall order! We are currently in Zone 2 east London and ideally want to stay north/east ish London so we are not moving too far from everyone we know around here. However we realise we'll have to move a bit further out to get more for our money. We've been looking at Walthamstow but there seems to be a bit of a dearth of green space. Any suggestions v welcome!

Forest Hill where we used to live, SE26, lovely.

We have friends in Herne Hill, and DH lived near there when we were first going out. It's fab and feels very villagey and has some good independent shops. Brockwell Park right there for outdoor space, close to Dulwich village and park too. Plenty of quick trains into town, and a short bus ride to Brixton for the tube. I think you probably could get a 3 bed for your budget - at least, I know they got a 3 bed for 250k about 3-4 years ago.

Something like this for example, would be in the catchment for both Coldfall Primary and Fortismere Secondary. Both excellent schools. Close enough to the broadway for buses etc. Not terribly far from East Finchley tube.

Lol at Dulwich Village and Herne Hill! . You would be very lucky to get a two bedroom flat in either for £350,000.

If you are going to consider SE London I'd look first at Sydenham, Nunhead, Honor Oak (might just about still be affordable), Crystal Palace.

bibbitybobbity's right

Would sell at least one child to live in Herne Hill

I don't go sarf of the river. SE London might as well be in France.

Here's a bit of a cracker in Dulwich village. It would give you plenty of change from your 350k to do it up and change the hideous kitchen and livingroom carpet.

However, I insist you keep the bedroom suite.

Seriously though that is too much of a bargain. I'd be surprised if it's still on the market. There must be something wrong with it that we can't see in the pics because thats way too cheap.

I had wondered about Crystal Palace, KnickersandVests - have heard good things about it, and love the idea of the views and open space! It does sound lovely. Herne Hill etc def too spenny.

I bagsy that Knickers

Come to Brockley (SE4), nice parks, friendly people, close to greenwich/blackheath/east dulwich for boutiques/delis (though we have a couple of delis too) but much more affordable you can get a decent 3bed house & garden for 350k, we're in zone 2 and get the east london line next year

Blimey, have only just discovered the second page of this thread. What a dufus. I am very impressed at all your extreme helpfulness at finding me me somewhere to live! Keep it coming ...
Twelveyeargap, I used to live Sarf, so it's not too terrifying to me, but I know what you mean - it's been a good five years for me north of the river now so the shock of south may be a bit much ... however, you are right though, that places with no tube are often just so much more relaxed and villagey (sadly, not Hackney. Third shooting on our street in a matter of months is driving us away ...)

This one looks good. On a good road. Very good position. Close to Gipsy HIll station, at the bottom of the hill, it'll keep you fit walking up it, I swear I have put on weight since leaving Crystal Palace and it's hills.

Wow that mustard house in Dulwich Village for £250k looks great! End terace, so more outside space. Loads left over to do it up inside. Paint exterior white, plant loads of clematis and bingo a fab home!

ooh Cassell, did not really know about the east london line extending down south (living a rather blinkered life as I am) - this is v interesting ...

Knickersandvest - I used to live on that road - do be aware one side of the road backs directly onto the train line

Ealing! OK so it's not north or east, and it's not central - but Ealing Broadway is 25 mins from Oxford Circus and it's very green and leafy and much cheaper. Good transport on tube and overground. We live 5 mins from proper independent high street with organic butcher's, independent bookshop, little library, cafes, fishmonger etc... Schools mostly v g (I think). We moved here from north London and I never thought I'd live this far out but it's lovely. It's raining at the moment though.

Last post came out a bit wrong - more FYI rather than how it sounded...

Other places I'd suggest

• Herne Hill
• Wanstead
• Walthamstow

Wood Green is grimsville. Enfield is nice (not that I'm biased you understand) and 350k will definitely get you three beds.

Which road Colby or Bowen Drive?

I know Colby rd is near the railway but with modern double glazing trains aren't much of a problem I don't think.

I moved from there last Christmas and know it's not a particularly busy line. The convenience of having the station on your doorstep outweighs any noise when you have good double glazing.

You get more money when re-selling too.

Carshalton? Sort of London - SM postcode but in LB of Sutton. Very villagey feel but easy commute to Victoria. No idea about schools though I'm afraid. My GPs and all my extended family live there and have done for generations.

This one? OK, its a flat, but has its own garden and terrace.

What you need to do is find a home near an excellent secondary school, believe me that is more important than a good primary!

I don't live in London but I thank my lucky stars my dd goes to a state secondary rated as outstanding, she is happy and the education she receives is amazing. I know it seems a long way off but once you have children time just flies!

lol @ dreaming to live in Herne Hill...used to live around there...couldn't wait to get out.

agree Dulwich Village V.nice