Relocating to Walthamstow, looking for advice

[Kerelene]

Hello ladies, I have been inspired by Tricey's thread about moving to London and how helpful you have all been so hoping you can help me too.

I am not moving so far - from Streatham to Walthamstow! - but we are buying for the first time so nervous about getting the location right as don't know W'stow that well- will probably be stuck there a few years if house prices come down after we buy.

My little girl is 16 months - I would love to know what local mums think about local toddler groups, childminders and nurseries - the primary schools all seem ok judging from the W Forest Ofsted report?

We need somewhere close to either of the Victoria Line stations as hubby has to commute to Barnes via Vauxhall BR - and want to be fairly close to park and school.

For those of you who live in or near Walthamstow is it a good place to live with small kids? We looked round Walthamstow Willage which was like Blackheath in the middle of Walthamstow!! very nice but very excluse no doubt. (We have chosen W'stow because it's about all we can afford and have friends in other parts of east London, plus I work in Limehouse)

Thanks in advance for any info you can give.

[chloemummy]

Hi
I live in Walthamstow and I moved there in 99. I had my dd in 2000. It is a very multicultural area. I have had no problems here. I dont think it is safe as it used to be but as you were saying the property prices are not so expensive as other parts of london.

My dd is now 6 and is at school at a small cofe school. They only take in one class per year. Think I prefered the church schools in the area as the others seem to have a high intake of asylum seekers.. The village is really nice. There are also a few coffee shops which have opened down the high street and it has good transport links.

[eastendgirl]

I think the area around Greenleaf school is quite nice, houses are still very affordable, there is a nice park with the William Morris museum, I heard that the school itself was ok, but you would have to go and look at it yourself, do not trust Ofsted reports. Stand at the school gate and see if you like what you see. I would look at the schools and then choose the area accordingly. By the way I do not like nasty comments made about asylum seekers, they are not the ones to screw up our schools!