🏡 Forest Gate (North of Romford Road) vs Becontree (Dagenham) — Which is better for a young family buying a first home?

Hi all,
We’re a young family with a one-year-old baby and are planning to buy our first home in London. We've shortlisted two areas:

1. Forest Gate (North of Romford Road) — closer to the Elizabeth Line, which is great for our Central London commute.
2. Becontree (Dagenham, near RM8 2XB) — seems more affordable, quieter, and family-oriented.

We plan to live here for 5 years and then sell to move into a bigger house. So resale potential also matters.

Could you please share insights on:

• Safety and overall family-friendliness
• Primary schools and nurseries
• Local parks, baby groups, and community feel
• How the areas are evolving (especially post-Elizabeth Line in Forest Gate)
• Any concerns we should know about in either location?

Appreciate any advice from families or locals who live/lived in either of these spots! 🙏