Blackheath - what's it like to live there with a family?

[AnnieBeeBee]

I've heard so many lovely things about this part of London. I've been there once, and like the villagey feel, but I don't know anyone who lives there, and I certainly don't know it well.

I have (almost!) two kids, and am keen to hear about what the schools are like (a quick glance at Rightmove shows a lot of "outstanding"), what the general vibe is like, and whether - being someone who's quite sad to leave Islington - I am likely to like it and make new friends!!

Any advice on good roads, schools (state or even private maybe), childcare what the general vibe is, etc would be great!

Our budget doesn't stretch to one of the glorious looking houses, but a small terrace or a large flat seems to be just about within it.

(I'm guessing the schools and childcare are crazy, mad oversubscribed like the rest of London!!)

[Bananalanacake]

Blackheath is in 2 parts, there's the village (think that is what you mean) the village is where the train station is, then there is Blackheath Standard which is over the heath. Yes, lots of schools, don't have experience of them as I moved away but I still stay there every 6 months as I miss London so much.

[AnnieBeeBee]

Bananalanacake - is the village bit the best bit to live in? Not sure which bit I've been looking at on Rightmove now! Guessing that's prob the most expensive bit, too!

[sleepyMe12]

I personally prefer the standard side of the Heath less crowded busy etc.
The village is only a ten minute walk away.
The schools like you expect are over subscribed and some have tiny tiny catchment areas eg 400m.
The standard side is closer to a larger variety of schools with decent ofsted reports.

[sleepyMe12]

I live in Eltham but my partner lived in blackheath for many years now lives just over the Heath in Crooms hill.

[Bananalanacake]

Crooms Hill is where the Fan Museum is.

Yes, I may be biased but the village is the best part for me, more shops, closer to Lewisham. The Standard is closer to Greenwich, lots of busses going there.

[5amisnotmorning]

You need to live on top of the smaller schools for state and have your name down very early for private. There are a couple of nice roads around the Standard area but you need the park side not St John's park otherwise you get noise from the A2. Very much depends on budget but around the heath and village is best. We used to live 5 mins from the village and it was lovely but probably wouldn't have got into one of the outstanding schools so moved away.

[5amisnotmorning]

And if money isn't an issue, the Castor Estate is IMHO the nicest part to live.

[babydad]

You could look more towards the areas around Blackheath that are still walking distance. Lee and Hither Green are not too far away and both have excellent schools.