Moving house from East London - Where to ?????

[CDavidson]

We (like everyone else it seems) wants to move somewhere bigger (we are in a two bed flat next to spitalfields farm) but are struggling to find somewhere we actually want to be that has 1) decent primaries 2) decent green space (ie the sort you can go for a run in or at least spend an entire morning with a child 3) enough room for us (we ideally want 3 beds plus space for shed in the garden so I can do printmaking there) or 4 beds. We would love a townhouse or ex council and have no romantic notions about period homes. We got excited by Walthamstow but then dismissed it as not espec green and more hectic than where we are now. but are considering Forest Hill (though I cant see a big park walking distance away). Has anyone got any ideas?? Im also considering Finsbury Park, Wanstead Flats (Ive never been!) maybe somewhere like Southwark Park (for the river). In an ideal world we would move to Bow/Soth Hackney but the prices are crazy. It would also been great to have some decent local shops - even just a baker and deli. Sorry for the mamouth post.

[WhatKatyDidnt]

Forest Hill has lots of parks within walking distance - Horniman gardens, Crystal Palace Park, Wells Park, Mayow Park... All lovely.

Wanstead flats is a bit light on decent shops IMO (if you mean the Aldersbrook / Manor Park bit).

[Mintyy]

What is your budget for your three or four bed townhouse?

[pinkdelight]

Head south on the overground from Shoreditch and suss the areas along the way - brockley, honor oak, forest hill, Sydenham and (my fave ) Crystal Palace. All v popular and most have what you're looking for. Then it just comes down to personal preference and price.

[LawnOrnament]

There are plenty of parks in FH & around - Horniman Museum Gardens, Horniman Triangle across the street, Sydenham Woods, One Tree Hill, which has a playground next to it, Peckham Rye Park, Dulwich Park, etc. All walkable from my house.

Depends what you want & what your budget is though.

[lulupeg]

Was going to suggest the same: the ginger line is your friend! Plenty of people coming this way from East. We sold our Peckham house to a couple from Hackney. Love (in this order) Forest Hill, Honor Oak, Brockley/Crofton Park/Hilly Fields and the conservation area of Penge, Peckham Rye/Nunhead... Also recommend looking at Beckenham (more suburban) and Ladywell, both near good rail links. But yes, importantly what is your budget?

[lessonsintightropes]

We are moving to Honor Oak to a massive three bed ground floor flat with direct access to a 100 ft garden, Blythe Hill Fields at the top of the road. Handy for the ginger line, and in the catchment for two outstanding primaries. Worth a look I think.

[MummytoMog]

Depends on budget really. We moved from Hackney to Woodford about five years ago and our four bed ex local authority flat in Hackney basically paid for a five bed thirties semi with a massive garden and three garages.

[MummytoMog]

We have massive parks, decent primaries and south Woodford has some nice shops. We are slightly the wrong end so gentrification is taking a while...

[Mintyy]

It really is pointless anyone else posting until op comes back with a little bit more information.

[PigletJohn]

you mentioned Walthamstow not being green. It borders on Epping Forest, have a look at some big maps, and the Lea and Roding linear parks.

I used to ride in an area that went from Whipps Cross to Epping. There is lots of woodland round Forest School.

[TheBeanpole]

Walthamstow has the marshes too, if you're at the right end of it. They're amazing- you could get lost for weeks, never mind the day.

We're SE on the ginger line after having been near Walthamstow- nearer the end of the ginger line. 3 beds, printmaking shed. Cheap. Good parks, too. Heaps of kids.

[CDavidson]

Thanks everyone. Ive been ill and barely email checking. Our budget is around 850/maybe 900k, which i know is loads. Yesterday we went to Stroud Green - the large houses arent cheap but compared to Vic Park you get way more for your money. We even looked at the Harringay ladder.
I saw Elliot Bank school last week in forest hill - I had been so excited about it but while they clearly do really well in result terms I wasnt that inspired (Ive heard Horniman is a lovely primary).
Where in Crystal Palace are the decent primaries??

[CDavidson]

Oh yes PigletJohn there is lots of surrounding green in Walthamstow absolutely but the main roads in the living part/near the tube are quite hectic (my partner felt it was more hectic than where we now live in zone 1!)so it seems you need to choose between being near proper green and local amenities/shops. But maybe Ive missed a trick.
Someone else recommended upper leytonstone for that reason but said it had less charm than Walthamstow

[TheTravellingLemon]

hello mummytoMog! I'm also in Woodford

[LawnOrnament]

Try houses in catchment of Fairlawn / Horniman in FH, both of which are good schools. Have friends with kids at Elliot Bank who like it but guess it may not be for everybody.

Have just looked though and there's not much for sale in those catchments that's currently inspiring. Could try Honor Oak as well and get something in catchment of Stillness, Dalmain, etc. With that budget you'd get a very lovely house.

[Levantine]

Have you looked at Brockley? I know someone who is happy with Myatt Garden. Honor Oak Park is lovely too.

[Camsie30]

You should definitely look at Wanstead, you can get a fantastic house for your budget. It's like living in a little village but in London. The high st is great, 2 new restaurants and a fishmonger opening this month. Lots of green space, proper community feel and very good schools. I absolutely love living here and am so happy!

[LondonGirl83]

For your budget I would look at Herne Hill (SE24). The transport links are terrific, the high street is good and you have both Brixton and Dulwich Village on your doorstep when you fancy something different. Brockwell Park is right on your doorstep and Dulwich Park (which is gorgeous) is within easy walking distance. Local primary schools are outstanding and the Charter School is an outstanding secondary school.

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-31227924.html?premiumA=true

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-46855532.html

[CDavidson]

thanks LondonGirl - which primaries in particular? I hear Rosendale is good but Jubilee less so

[OcadoSubstitutedMyHummus]

Wanstead is lovely, friends there all love it. Areas touted as Wanstead flats are often near Manor Park apparently so watch estate agent speak. South woodford and Woodford also worth considering.

[OcadoSubstitutedMyHummus]

Ps definitely Wanstead over upper leytonstone

[CDavidson]

hi camsie13 - which are the good primaries in Wanstead? I suspect my partner would find it too far (he would cycle to work in Liverpool St) but I will investigate.
We looked at the weekend at Finsbury Park/Stroud Green and liked it - mixed but far bigger houses than you get in East London. Does anyone know anything about Harringay? The ladder looks nice. (sorry this is so broad but having more or less given up on East London we are having to rethink everything)

[CDavidson]

When you say Wanstead which bits do you mean? which boundaries??

[OcadoSubstitutedMyHummus]

Wanstead is relatively well defined. If you look on a map then on the South West corner there is the Green Man roundabout, the other side being Leytonstone. It merges the other end into South Woodford. All of what I'd call Wanstead should be walkable to either Snarebrook or Wanstead tubes.

Not an expert on the schools but understand several religious schools and several not.

A friend trying to buy there tells me that prices have been rising a lot (although I think true for a lot of London) and a lot of competition for family homes. They've lost out on several houses being one of 5-10 offers made.