Friday 18 January 2013

Let's move to: Walthamstow, north-east London - The Guardian

What's going for it? Property pundits have been plugging Walthamstow for years, to no avail. It remains one of the best value (cue "by London standards" klaxon), nicest places within relatively easy reach of central London. It never quite seems to boom: bad news for property flippers (boo, hiss), but good news for the rest of us hoping to get a grasping toenail on or up the ladder. A mystery. Because it has good schools, the requisite villagey middle-class bit, a proper gor-blimey guv'nor East End heart with magnificent market, the refurbished William Morris Gallery, easy access to great green spaces (it's between Epping Forest and the Lee Valley), enough presence to feel like a town, and the Victoria line into the West End. What's not to like? Bar East 17, natch.

The case against Beats me. It has its grimier moments, but it is in zone 3.

Well connected? Rather. Victoria line to Oxford Circus in 20-25 minutes. Also rail to Liverpool Street (19 minutes, four an hour), Barking (17 minutes, ditto) and west to Gospel Oak (21 minutes, ditto). You're beside the North Circular and a 10-minute drive from the M11.

Hang out at… Orford Saloon tapas bar, discussing school places.

Schools Some really good 'uns. Primaries: Whittingham Community, Stoneydown Park, Edinburgh, The Winns, Thorpe Hall, St Patrick's RC are all "good", says Ofsted; St Mary's CofE and Mission Grove "good" with some "outstanding" features; and Roger Ascham, Hillyfield, Greenleaf and Henry Maynard "outstanding". Secondaries: Walthamstow Academy, Holy Family RC, Willowfield, and Kelmscott all "good", Walthamstow School for Girls "outstanding".

Where to buy Top-notch is the old village, east of Hoe Street around the church. It's very pretty: semis and cottagey terraces, almshouses and the odd weatherboarded speck of old rural Essex. Orford Road is its main drag of cafes and independent shops. Back in the real world, it's mostly Victorian. Poshest are the avenues towards Epping Forest. Other plum spots include 1930s semis/detacheds in Highams Park; or, west of Lloyd Park, late-Victorian Warner houses and flats. Cheaper towards the river Lea.

Market values Detacheds, £400,000-£800,000. Semis, £250,000-£750,000. Four-bed terraces, £320,000-£650,000; three-bed terraces, £240,000-£450,000; two-bed terraces, £220,000-£300,000. Three-bed flats, £160,000-£300,000; two-bed flats, £170,000-£260,000.

Bargain of the week Four-bedroom, slightly ugly terrace in the village, £315,000, with Haart.

From the streets

Claire Bradshaw "Known as #awesomestow among its Twitterati, it is full of artists thanks to the E17 Art Trail and cheap studio space. New pubs opening up. Easy to get into central London and out via M11."

Chris Littlewood "Properly urban, but it's also on the herons' flight path between the river Lea marshes and Epping Forest ponds."

Neel Mookherjee "Cheap period housing with gardens for those priced out of Stoke Newington/Dalston/London Fields shoeboxes. Family-friendly, safe, with good schools."

Live in Walthamstow? Join in the debate below.

Do you live in Hexham, Northumberland? Have a favourite haunt or a pet hate? If so, please write, by email by Tuesday 22 January to lets.move@guardian.co.uk.

1 comment:

  1. When considering the purchase of an investment property, it is important to consider the many factors that will affect your decision. Location is the number one consideration, with proximity to schools rated a close second. The condition of the property can be problematic, as can the time spent maintaining the property. The marketability of the property is often an overlooked consideration.

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