When it comes to the average property prices across the 32 boroughs that make up London, you will find Havering down near the bottom of the list, among the very cheapest for those looking to buy a home. We believe this makes Havering a gem, a real hidden secret when you consider all that the borough has going for it.
In this article we run through some of the key points which makes Havering an outstanding place to buy property.
Top performing schools
Always one of the most important features for a lot of people when choosing where to buy, is the quality of local schools.
Havering is renowned for its strong performance when it comes to education, consistently achieving above-average results in national assessments. The latest figures show that the vast majority of the borough’s Primary school pupils are meeting the expected standard and outperforming the national average. Our Secondary schools are the same, with a number ranked as ‘Above average’ and ‘Well above average’ using the Progress 8 scoring method which covers 8 key qualifications.
Shopping and leisure
Havering offers a vibrant shopping and leisure scene, centred primarily around Romford, the borough’s commercial hub.
Romford stands as an ever-popular shopping destination with its various malls and the historic Romford market which dates back to 1247. There are numerous leisure facilities across the borough, museums and theatres, as well as local sports teams from football to rugby and ice hockey. And with hundreds of pubs, clubs and restaurants across the borough there is always somewhere to spend an evening out.
Green spaces
As well as being the second largest of all the London boroughs, Havering is part of the Metropolitan Green Belt, thanks to its extensive green spaces. Over half of the borough is parkland, offering residents ample opportunities for recreation and a more relaxing way of life.
Notable parks include Bedfords Park, Harrow Lodge Park, Hornchurch Country Park, and Raphael Park, each providing unique beautiful natural landscapes and facilities. This abundance of open space is a significant draw for those seeking a balance between urban living and access to nature.
Transport links
Havering boasts comprehensive transport connections, facilitating easy access to central London and the wider South East region. The borough is served by multiple rail lines:
- Elizabeth Line: Stations at Romford, Gidea Park, and Harold Wood provide direct services to Liverpool Street station in the City of London.
- National Rail: Services operated by c2c run through Rainham and Upminster, linking to Fenchurch Street in the City.
- London Underground: The District Line includes stations at Upminster, Upminster Bridge, Hornchurch, and Elm Park, offering straightforward routes into London.
- London Overground: The newly named Liberty Line serving Romford, Emerson Park and Upminster stations, runs entirely within Havering and connects travellers to the wider rail and Underground network.
Additionally, an extensive bus network ensures connectivity within the borough and to neighbouring areas. Havering sits in London fare zone 6, making travel both convenient and cost-effective.
Strong property market
Despite being among the very cheapest boroughs for those looking to buy, property prices in Havering consistently outperform the rest of London.
Over the past 5 years, the average property price in Havering has risen by 18%, compared to 7% in London. When you look at prices over the last 10 years, Havering’s average property price has risen by a very impressive 54% with London again way behind on 27%.
The perfect blend
With the numerous benefits that Havering has to offer, there truly is a compelling case for homebuyers seeking an almost idyllic work-life balance.
A blend of plentiful green space, excellent transport links, extensive leisure facilities and quality education gives Havering an almost unique combination of urban amenities and suburban tranquillity, which truly distinguish it from other London boroughs.