Property: The Low-Down

Prices: Prices in Cannon Hill range between pounds 130,000 and, as you get nearer to Raynes Park, pounds 220,000. Hillcross is cheaper: pounds 115,000-pounds 160,000, but up to pounds 200,000 for four bedrooms. Morden Park ranges from pounds 165,000- pounds 220,000. Ex-council houses are pounds 80,000-pounds 95,000.

Transport: Until the tram appears, residents rely on the Northern Line and overground rail to Waterloo. Morden Road will be a stop on Tramlink, three stops from Wimbledon, with connections to the District Line and overground rail to Clapham Junction and Waterloo. Four stops in the other direction is Mitcham Junction, with connections to Balham and London Bridge, and further down the line are stops at West Croydon and East Croydon, with links to Gatwick Airport and other terminals in central London.

Tramlink: Tramlink will have three lines: Wimbledon-Elmers End, Croydon- Beckenham Junction, and Croydon-New Addington. There will be 38 stops along the 18-mile route, and service is promised at six to seven minute intervals for the New Addington line, and 10 minutes for the two remaining lines. London Transport travelcards will be valid on trams. Morden is in zone four.

Recreation: Morden Hall Park has a river and several National Trust buildings dating to the 18th and 19th centuries. The larger Morden Park has a brook, swimming pool, pitch and putt, garden centre and bandstand.

Council tax: The west side of Morden (postcode SM4) is in Merton (band D is pounds 747), and St Helier is in Sutton (band D pounds 702).

Shopping: "For shopping, people tend to go to Wimbledon, Sutton or Kingston. There's not a great deal of scope in Merton itself," admits Ms Brooks.

Architectural specialities? The stairway spindles that resemble axe handles really are axe handles - First World War leftovers, according to Mr Purtill.

Estate agents: Andrews, 0181-540 8141; Ellison's, 0181-543 1166.