Balham or Earlsfield? Pros/cons... Post Reply

[IndyB]

Hello, just want to hear from some of the others out here about Balham vs. Earlsfield as a place to live.

Schools, neighborhoods, amenities, vibe...just some insight from people who know the areas would be great.

Thanks very much!

[Kyoung78]

We looked at Balham and earlsfield 3 years ago and while we liked Balham we loved earlsfield. The southside shopping centre is getting better, the ram brewery is about to be developed and better and the schools are brilliant. There is a lovely local atmosphere that is very chilled. That being said we have many friends in Balham who love it. Don't think you can go wrong with either area!! X

[IndyB]

Thanks for your reply! Out of interest, which school(s) in Earlsfield did you like? I see more properties available near Swaffield School, so curious to hear what's it like ...

[Kyoung78]

My eldest son is at swaffield and we just love the school. His reading after just 6 months is fantastic and his teacher and teachers assistant are just wonderful. The reception kids are off to London zoo this term for their school trip. There is a lovely community within the school and the head teacher Mrs Lilley is brilliant - she knows all of the children by name and is out in the playground every morning and the kids just flock to her. You can book appointments at all of the schools in the area so would suggest you check out allfarthing, swaffield and floreat. Also most of the local schools have a summer fair which is nice to go along to to see the school and get a feel for the place. Swaffield's is on the 6th June and am sure allfarthings is in June sometime then too. If you have any questions at all please ask or pm - happy to answer them! X

[Kyoung78]

We were also impressed by earlsfield school and Beatrix potter but they have tight catchment areas so look at the info that is just out on entry distances (can't seem to find the thread but Wandsworth have just released the furthest distance info for entry into all of the local schools this week for 2015). I would check the distance as the crow flies of any house you are interested in to the local schools to see if you are well within catchment or borderline as a guide. X

[falconmum]

Hi....we tried really hard to find a house in Southfields (south side area) but found it really difficult. Between Earlsfield and Balham , we found Balham to have a more favourable access to good schools and more flexible catchments. However, we found Tooting to have best of both worlds.
It is upcoming so makes sound financial/investment sense. There are 3 Good/outstanding schools between Bec and Broadway as well as reasonable access to schools like Rutherford and I am keeping fingers crossed for 2016. Also, you get more floor space for your money.

I must admit , I was sceptical about moving from Battersea to Tooting but so far I dont have any negatives about the area.

[Geegee007]

Hello,
For us Balham has worked really well and we love living here.
The transport links into town are very good - both to the City and West End. It benefits from the Northern line tube (change at Stockwell for Victoria line) as well as the overland train into Victoria via Clapham Junction.
The state primary schools are very good (Henry Cavendish, Telferscot, St Anselms, Holy Ghost all rated Outstanding I believe).
There are two supermarkets - Waitrose and Sainsbury's
Ok, the High Street does not give the best first impression with the 99p store and Cashino, but in addition to the aforementioned supermarkets, Boots, JoJo Maman, Oliver Bonas, As Nature Intended, etc. there are lots of lovely independent shops, cafes, bars and restaurants on Bedford Hill, Hildreth Street, Balham High Road and Ritherdon Road.
Tooting Bec Common is a fabulous open space.
I'm sure I've missed plenty of other selling points, but hope this helps!

http://www.homesandproperty.co.uk/area- ... area-guide

[IndyB]

Thank you for your replies. I'm sure there are others who've debated this...or who just prefer one area over another.

Any other thoughts?

[soph]

Can't go wrong with either! Marginally prefer earlsfield. Train goes to Waterloo every 3 minutes. Lovely restaurants, bars and pubs. Close to Wimbledon park, king George's, Wandsworth common etc and has southside etc close by too! BP and earlsfield school are both excellent. As you say everyone has differing opinions but you won't go wrong wither way!! Good luck!!

[firsttimerSW11]

I've lived in Balham and have had many friends in Earlsfield so spent a good bit of time there, personally not that keen on either but if I had to choose one I'd choose Balham. Dont know why, just think it's a bit more upmarket. There isn't much in it though. Also I must be the only one, but I do like living by a tube.

[mgb]

Disagree about Balham being more upmarket. The St Ann's Hill area is full of million pound plus houses. Both Allfarthing and Swaffield schools are excellent and there are loads of private nurseries. Big plus for being close to Wandsworth Common as well.

Garratt Lane isn't Northcote Rd but there are no pound shops or casinos and I've personally seen massive improvement in the past three years - the Earlsfield Pub and Ben's Canteen are there now and Hamptons Estate Agents are opening across from the station.

Previous posters comments regards Southside and Ram Brewery are on point - this long term investment in the area will only further improve the area and further increase house prices.

[soph]

agree with you mgb. i think earlsfield is more up market than balham in fact, perhaps unless you are planning to live in the nightingale triangle, which is very nice! The st ann's area, magdalen areas and those near Earlsfield school, littleton/waynflete etc are very nice and are as expensive as some areas of the nightingale triangle. We did the same search a few years ago and settled on earlsfield with no regrets. if you choose the nightingale triangle, then there is a lack of good state primary schools vs earlsfield.

[Shamummy]

Earlsfield all the way(or perhaps Wandsworth Common Westside if you are an estate agent!).

I used to live in the nightingale triangle many years ago before children and even then found it a little too edgy in some places! Agree with the previous posters about the St Anne's hill area. We moved from East Putney for a bigger house and just love it here now. The ease of access to Clapham Junction also makes the travel connections far better in peak hour. Southside is very handy for your day to day drudgery, and being so close to the common gives you plenty of outdoor space for each stage of your life.

I always found in Balham that although the northern line looks great on paper, the reality of peak hour was very different and quite hard to get on a tube. Or maybe I have just remembered it like that as I am a complete SW18 convert...

[littlemisshomes]

I would have to vote for Balham - so much happening in the area at the moment with new independent coffee shops, boutiques, restaurants etc and I think Heaver area lovely. Also don't overlook Streatham and Telford Park area - stunning, a lawn tennis club and amazing community, beautiful houses and only 5 minutes on bus to Brixton and the Victoria Line - so much investment happening in the area at the moment too - London Square are doing a very upmarket development on the high rd next to Streatham Hill station. We always lived Battersea, but are moving to Telford Park soon and loving Streatham and it's green spaces and huge gardens. We have friends from Earlsfield re-locating there too - so much more for your money and also a short walk along the common to Balham. Good luck with your research!

[NYE31]

I vote for Earlsfield or Wandsworth Common West side & the area around that, I too think that it's more upmarket & a nicer area than Balham, with the exception of Nightingale Square. I lived in the area for 10 years so I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.

John Lewis etc is said to be coming to Southside so that gets my vote as well.