good family towns / villages for a canary wharf commute

[smilesandsun]

hi,

we live in central london but are thinking that as the kids grow perhaps we need some more space. Where would you recommend as a vibrant place to live for families just outside london and an easy commute into Canary Wharf?

Look forward to your ideas!

:)

[pootlebug]

How far out do you want to go / what sort of budget?

Greenwich/Blackheath area is an easy commute but feels nicely inbetween to me....really easy to get into central London and quick to Canary wharf but lots of green space etc. But maybe you're thinking of further out. How long a commute would you consider?

[smilesandsun]

budget is pretty good and I don't want to be too far out but would like a bit more space than what we have at the moment. Commute up to 45 minutes I guess would be ok.

thx

[smilesandsun]

bump

[pootlebug]

I'd start out with looking at the train map and go from there.

So you either want something that links easily with the Jubilee Line, or with the DLR.

For links to the Jubilee line, trains that go into London Bridge are a good bet as it's only 3 stops from Canary Wharf. From somewhere like Chislehurst it's about 40 mins....so obviously to keep door-to-door to 45 mins or so you'd have to be very near the station. Similar length commute from Bromley although some stations you have to change to get to London Bridge. Good schools in both (although check out individual ones....some not great ones too)

If you need to change trains to get to DLR it's less ideal as there are more stops so slower journey. So e.g. Lewisham to Canary Wharf is already 21 mins, so adding another train into there adds on a fair bit unless near Lewisham, if you see what I mean. Lee area has some lovely bits with good schools and you can walk into Blackheath village as well as walk or bus to Lewisham to pick up the DLR. Houses cheaper than Blackheath.

[flatbread]

I agree with the suggestion for moving to Greenwich. Or Surrey Quay. From both you could take the Thames Clipper into Canary Wharf. The Clipper, IMO, is the best commute, relax with the paper and a coffee and in 5 to 7 minutes you will be at work

[smilesandsun]

thanks. I hadn't thought of Surrey Quay and also will need to look in to 'The Clipper'.

I like the sound of Blackheath, though have never been there so will need to research it a bit. Would you need private schools or are the local ones ok?

What is the commute like from somewhere like Sevenoaks?

thx for the help so far.

[caramelgirl]

I think Blackheath commute is a bit irritating unless you cycle down to Greenwuc through park and pick up dlr there. Otherwise fairly long- 15 mins ish down a hill to Lewisham ( and up at night).
My suggestion would be Sydenham. Proper family homes, near Crystal Palace park, people we know living there went to good state schools ( but don't know if were lucky) AND all v accessible as one stop on jubilee line to Canada Water and then 15 mins on overland- think is the new east London line.

[caramelgirl]

And agree Clipper is fab, but pricy. Not at all sure re schools in Surrey Quays, tho' tbf a while since we considered it.

[pootlebug]

The Blackheath commute depends where you live in Blackheath. If Westcombe Park side, 2 stops on train from Westcombe Park and change to DLR - approx 30 mins door to door assuming 5-10 mins walk to the station. Or else bus down to North Greenwich and 1 stop on Jubilee line.

Schools in Blackheath vary - some very good primaries but some more average. More people do private or grammar school in Kent for secondary.

Commute from Sevenoaks would be a train in to London Bridge and then a tube from London Bridge to Canary wharf (3 stops on the tube). Approx 40-45 mins although you'd have to add the walk to the station in Sevenoaks to that.

[flatbread]

caramel when we did the daily commute on the Clipper a few years back, it was 100 quid a month for a pass, same as the tube pass, I think for zone 2.

[titferbrains]

How are u getting on with your search? We are in the same situation, looking for more space and a better commute to CW.

[joanofarchitrave]

I would say avoid Sevenoaks. It's a lovely town, ticks more than all the boxes on paper, and has a 30 min commute to Cannon Street, but it is deathly, deathly dull. Greenwich/Blackheath a much better option.

[voscar]

We are in greenhithe in Kent. South eastern train to greenwich about 35 min then 10 min on DLR. Greenhithe is lovely - small, but quite hard to get a house in the village part - more common to buy on the newer estate. It's right next to bluewater, on the m25, a2 and a13 so we find it pretty easy to get anywhere.

[dinosaurinmybelly]

Hello - what did you end up doing? We are now in a similar situation and would love to know how you got on..

[RugbyWidow7]

We found this website really helpful: commutefrom.com/

[Alargeglassofred]

West Malling in Kent - I work in SE London and takes me about an hour - but worth it for standard of living/schools/local facilities # cricket!