More For Your Money: South Harrow, HA2

In the school's shadow

South Harrow is on the underground, it has flats for singles and young couples as well as houses for families and it has good schools.

South Harrow is on the underground, it has flats for singles and young couples as well as houses for families and it has good schools.

Its north-west London location appeals to many who commute to the West End, work at Heathrow or want easy access to the M40 or M25. Local shopping options are limited, but excellent retail outlets are nearby. Despite these plusses, this stable community with moderate property prices remains largely unknown.

South Harrow has traditionally been a family-oriented community with a substantial Asian population, especially Sri Lankans in recent years. But new property developments are enticing a younger and more ethnically diverse population.

The main lures are low prices and good communications, says David Goldman of agents Rawlinson Gold: "People who would like to move into London but can't afford prices in the centre are buying further out. South Harrow is convenient for the Metropolitan and Central lines as well as the Piccadilly. People move here because it is safer, greener and the schools are good."

Tony Seeney of agents David Conway sees a long period of stasis coming to an end. "Some new develop- ments were built here about 20 years ago, but the property crash of the late 1980s put an end to it, and there were no new developments at all in the 1990s. But in the last 18 months there have been about eight blocks of new flats. They have given a new lease of life to the area. New flats in particular are selling very well."

Relatively low house prices in a relatively green area mean that properties with gardens are affordable, and some gardens are sights to behold, albeit not necessarily for horticultural reasons. According to Seeney, a developer built a large number of private houses on several roads near the town centre, but before they were occupied as homes, a speculator bought all of them and converted them into maisonettes.

First-floor apartments in mid-terraces are landlocked, but the upstairs units in semis and end-terraces allowed stairway access to the gardens. But some gardens were split sensibly (across the width), others not so. Thus, a 20x100 garden might have been divided into two 20x50s, or two coffin-like 10x100s. Garden access can be private along a narrow path, shared or a combination of the two.

What properties are available for first-timers?

A few studio apartments are available; Rawlinson Gold is selling a purpose-built studio just below Harrow on the Hill for £119,950.

What about flats with proper bedrooms?

One-bedroom flats average about £160,000 and come in two basic flavours: purpose-built and conversions, both of which are leasehold or shared freehold. Modern one-bed freehold starter homes are also available, although they are few in number and rarely come to market.

What about families?

Three-beds start at about £225,000 and generally top out below £400,000. Most are 1930s or newer and many have been extended. South Harrow does have some period properties but, as they tend to be large, most have been converted. The few unconverted period homes sell instantly.

What about the new-builds?

South Harrow's new developments are all on brownfield sites, with several current projects clustered on the northern fringe of the town. Clearview's 22 two- and three-bed flats on Roxeth Green Avenue are priced between £193,000 and £250,000. Ten of the 14 units in Persimmon's The Chase remain; one two-bed flat on £249,950, and nine three-beds, from £349,950. The first phase of Barratt's 96-unit The Grange has been released: one-bed flats from £260,000, two-bed flats from £310,000, and £445,000 for the sole remaining three-bed house. The Grange is near the excellent John Lyon selective independent school for boys aged 11 to 18.

How's the transport?

South Harrow is on the Uxbridge branch of the Piccadilly Line. The Metropolitan Line skirts South Harrow to the north, with stations at Harrow on the Hill, West Harrow and Rayner's Lane. Northolt Park station is on the overland line into Marylebone. A bus links South Harrow with Heathrow, and Terminal Four is directly south on the A312. The Central Line station at Northolt is well outside South Harrow.

How's the shopping?

The town centre has a small daily market, an adequate Sainsbury, and groceries and restaurants. Nearby, in a small retail park with car parking, is a Waitrose. Large DIY and furniture stores are also in the area, and Harrow itself is a major shopping precinct with several department stores, including Debenhams and M&S.

What about green spaces?

South Harrow is bordered by three large parks: Roxeth recreation ground, the recently refurbished Alexandra Park, and Newton Park. Uphill of the suburb is Harrow on the Hill, the public school. The school buildings constitute an architectural treasure, the historic graveyard is wonderfully rustic, and the views in several directions are panoramic.

And one for the pub quiz...

Harrow School alumni include Lord Byron, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, Peel, Palmerston and Winston Churchill. Which grave at Harrow School's cemetery is associated with a famous former pupil?

Answer: Five-year-old Allegra, daughter of Lord Byron and Claire Clairmont, died in Italy in 1822 and, on her father's instructions, was buried in the Harrow School churchyard. Her commemorative stone memorial outside the south porch of St Mary's was erected in 1980.

David Conway, 020-8422 5222

Rawlinson Gold, 020-8423 9595