Our picturesque village is being ruined by rich newcomers – they’re just snobs and don’t care about the community
LOCALS living in a picturesque village say it's being ruined by rich newcomers.
Residents in Wanstead, East London, have moaned soaring house prices are bringing in snobs who don't care about the community.
One pensioner, who has called the area home for 45 years, said the attitudes of the new arrivals don't fit in with the long-standing community.
Noel McMahon, 80, told The Sun Online: "It’s changed. It has lost its village status for what it used to be.
“It’s still a great community - but the attitude of some of the new arrivals has changed.
"They don’t have the same community feel.
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“It used to be community spirit rather than affluence, which has changed now sadly.”
One resident, who didn't want to be named, said: "The area is changing, it's bringing in people who work in the city and have money.
“They’re moving from central out here to get more for their money.
“They’re up their own f***ing a***s.
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“They’re not part of the community.”
However, some are happy with the "gem" of an area.
Despite house prices increasing "dramatically", the area is still cheaper compared to other parts of London - which explains the increase in people moving there.
New mum Nancy told how she bought her three-bed end of terrace house in 2014 for £675,000.
However, a local estate agent is currently selling a two-bed for £1.5 million.
Nancy, 42, said: "We moved here from Brixton for the community feel.
“We moved out of central to get a bit more space but still somewhere that was well connected.
“It’s handy, you can get into town easy and to the West End, and it’s half an hour to work.
“There’s good nurseries in the area and schools.
“We got quite a good deal we paid £675,000 for a three bed end terrace with a loft conversion.”
DOWN TOWN
The area, which was described as having the London-feel without being "chaotic", sits in the middle of Wanstead and Snaresbrook Tube stations.
Located on the Central Line, it only takes around half an hour to get into central London.
Susan, 61, bought her home 25 years ago and is happy with the "young vibe" coming in.
She said: "I've lived here for 25 years. I paid around £260,00 for a four-bed.
“It’s a fabulous place it’s a really lovely little gem of a place.
“Its got a very good community feel.
"It’s got a really young vibe coming in now.
“[You've got] great schools, two Tube stations, you can get on the motorway, you’ve got the hospital.
“It’s a really lovely place to be.”
The high street is lacking in local boutiques and seems to be overrun with coffee shops.
Retired Margaret, 70, has lived in the area for 36 years and said: “Everyone keeps on moving to Wanstead but they don’t move out.
“The house prices have dramatically increased.
“It would be better to have more shops we don’t need as many coffee shops as we’ve got.
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"One shop closes and we get another coffee shop.
“People are quite friendly. I go to the local church and get to know people there.”
