From friendly cafés to lifelong neighbours, locals explain why this peaceful SE London neighbourhood is selling homes fast
There’s a surprising neighbourhood in South East London that has been named one of the most in-demand in the capital, with homes selling in an average of 51 days.
With an average house price of £470,257, Middle Park is attracting buyers drawn to its greenery, calm streets and strong sense of community.
Set within the Royal Borough of Greenwich, Middle Park is a largely residential estate built in the 1930s on former Eltham Palace hunting grounds. Now, this is the sixth most sought-after area in London, according to Rightmove.
The heart of that community feeling was most obvious at Egg & Co, a café-bistro where many locals stop to chat over coffee. It was here that several residents spoke about why they love living in an area that many buyers are now competing to move into.
Egg & Co serves British and Mediterranean breakfast and brunch options(Image: Ines Santos/ MyLondon)
Maria Zvaric, 35, is a greeting card illustrator and watercolour artist, and she has become deeply involved in local creative projects. Maria said: “I organise local artisanal fairs, and the response has been amazing! We’ve had many visitors, and the makers really love to have a space to exhibit their work.”
She moved to the area five years ago and is now a mom. Maria said: “This is definitely a good place to raise a child because there is a lot of green around, and it’s really easy to travel because we have the train, which is great with little ones, buggies and bikes.”
Rosie Jakaityte, 26, the manager of Egg & Co, said the café has become an unexpected meeting point for residents. She explained: “Egg & Co is a very nice community spot, a lot of people say it brings everyone together.”
She added, after pausing the interview to greet a regular: “We have so many customers coming in and seeing friends they haven’t seen in a while. But we’re also getting a lot of new people moving in, mostly families.”
Rajasree and Paul are new residents in the area, but they say it’s very family and dog-friendly(Image: Ines Santos/ MyLondon)
Rajasree Variyar, 39, said she and her family chose this area a year ago because of its balance between city access and green space. She added: “We’ve got a little toddler, so the parks are fantastic. They’re all well-catered for, lots of kids running around. The nurseries and schools around here are really good as well.”
Paul Whelan, 37, who has lived in Middle Park for a couple of years, said the area quickly felt like home. He said: “We love it here; love the green spaces, they’re really good for our dog, lots to do, lovely cafes and some nice pubs as well.”
Beyond the café crowd, Middle Park is also home to residents who have seen the area change over decades. Some streets are lined with large family houses, while others are quieter enclaves where neighbours have known each other for generations.
Cathleen, 55, who has lived on the Middle Park Estate since she was 6 months old, said: “I went and lived about a mile and a half away for nine years when I had my child, but I had to come back. It feels like London but the greener part of London.”
Middle Park is full of big terraced houses(Image: Ines Santos/ MyLondon)
For older residents, the sense of continuity is mixed with loss as the community evolves. Ann Richards, 83, reflected on how life in Middle Park feels different now.
She said: “For me, it’s hard because elderly people are passing away, so I don’t see the people I used to see… It’s different in that way, but otherwise nothing has really changed much.”
She added: “I would move, but I think once you get to a certain age, you don’t really want to uproot. It’s okay here. There’s no trouble.”
Middle Park’s appeal lies not in buzz or nightlife, but in everyday moments: dogs being walked through nearby parks, parents chatting outside cafés and neighbours who stop to talk. For buyers willing to act fast, it is this quiet consistency and community warmth that continues to drive demand.
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