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commute from Crayford to Greenwich

27 replies

user1490782120 · 29/03/2017 11:30

Hello,
DH works in Canary Wharf, and we live in Bournemouth because I work in Bournemouth. I get a job offer from Greenwich uni, so we will move to London. We have searched the threads, and find two areas that would suit our needs (e.g., good state schools, ds is 4.)

  1. Greenwich: working distance to work, good school, can only afford 1/2 bed flat.
  2. Crayford: 1 hour commute for both, good schools, can afford 3/4 bed house.


Does anyone have experience living in these two areas, are they good for family? The second option, how is the commute, we plan to use trains.

Thanks!
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user1490782120 · 29/03/2017 11:39

Just to add, crayford we mean the area between crayford and dartford stations, where dartford grammer sits.

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DollyParsnip · 29/03/2017 13:05

Crayford station is on a loop which goes up the Greenwich line during the week, 2 trains per hour, and will take about 30 mins if you're based in Greenwich itself. From Greenwich you can hop on the DLR to Canary Wharf so both bases are covered! The loop also goes through Abbey Wood so you'll get the Crossrail trains from there in 2018.

Crayford / Dartford are pretty solid commuter towns, Bexley Council does the 11+ and Kent Council has the Grammar system so you can do the Dartford test to access them. It's not the most vibrant place in terms of nightlife and eating out etc, but it has decent travel and motorway connections and Bluewater shopping centre is not very far at all.

Greenwich is lovely but busy, house prices v expensive as you've found, but that does reflect on what type of area it is. A lot of lovely resturants, nice pubs and a very good cinema in a small area plus ok-ish travel connections. Only about 15 mins from London by train and you have the DLR on your doorstep.

It's a toughie though!

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Kiroro · 29/03/2017 13:21

Why just those two areas? What is your budget?

The experience of living in Greenwich or Crayford will be extremely different!

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user1490782120 · 29/03/2017 14:37

Thanks DollyParsnip for the message. It’s very helpful.

I roughly calculated the commute time, which is just under 1 hour door to door for me, slightly over 1 hour for DH. I’m a bit concern about school pick up time. Now DS is in nursery, I pick him up before 6pm, not sure about school, but guess would be similar. So I will need to see whether I can leave office before 5pm everyday.

Another important thing for us is green area (parks, etc.) and children’s facilities (e.g., playground, indoor play), where we could take DS play during weekend. Do you know Greenwich, Crayford/Dartford in terms of this, thanks!

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user1490782120 · 29/03/2017 14:45

Thanks Kiroro. We chose these two areas is because house is already v expensive in the areas (e.g., blackheath, bromley, etc.) closer than Crayford. And we will need to commute.

Greenwich sacrifices living space (affordable flat is to be v small). Crayford/Dartford sacrifices time, and there is risk with childcare if DH and I both work late someday. Do you have other areas to suggest? our budget is 500K. Thanks.

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DorotheaBeale · 29/03/2017 14:46

Look at all the commuter lines running out of Dartford. They all go to Lewisham, from where you can pick up the DLR.

Greenwich/Blackheath has plenty of open space. Parts of Bexley and Eltham have parks and woods. Look at some maps or Google Earth to get an idea of green space.

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Kiroro · 29/03/2017 14:46

What about Stratford?

Super easy commute to canary wharf and Greenwich, you are actually in London, its much cheaper than Greenwich plus you have the Olympic park on your doorstep.

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DorotheaBeale · 29/03/2017 14:48

Bromley isn't good for commuting towards Greenwich anyway, the trains don't go in the right direction.

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DollyParsnip · 29/03/2017 14:50

Bexley has a lot of green spaces and parks, Hall Place is about 5 min drive from Crayford and is great for kids and picnics as is Danson Park which is a bit further away but not much. There's a decent sizes Soft Play centre in Erith (accessable from Crayford by Bus and train) as well as a big one in Thamesmead and another out towards Bluewater. Lots of swing parks dotted about and Dartford Park is pretty decent too (good for bikes & scooters as it's flat!).

Greenwich obviously has Greenwich Park which is huge, has a very good swing Park that can get busy in the Summer and weekends. It also has deer, tucked away and stunning views and the Observatory. Outside Greenwich Park is Blackheath Common which is another vast chunk of open space, especially for kite flying, and Blackheath Village is really well appointed for cafes etc.

It's such a tricky decision as they both have their good / bad points. Greenwich has a couple of hotels if you wanted to come and check out the areas?

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MrsPringles · 29/03/2017 14:52

I've just moved to Crayford - happy to answer and questions that you have Smile

I work locally but my DH commutes to Westminster daily

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wineapotamus · 29/03/2017 14:54

I live near Greenwich, my son goes to school there, I love it.

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FunkyChunk · 29/03/2017 14:55

Whereabouts will you be based for Greenwich Uni? They have campus in New Eltham as well as Greenwich itself

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DorotheaBeale · 29/03/2017 15:05

They also have one in Medway. That's fairly easily driveable down the A2, as you'd be going in the opposite direction to the main rush hour flow. Or train to Chatham then a bus.

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TimTamTerrier · 29/03/2017 15:13

Friends of mine used to live in Charlton, they wanted to live in a house in Greenwich but couldn't afford it. Charlton would be walkable to the Greenwich campus, and it's a few train stops to change to the DLR for CW.

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Kiroro · 29/03/2017 15:31

Charlton would be walkable to the Greenwich campus, and it's a few train stops to change to the DLR for CW

Think you would be better off getting a bus to North Greenwich then the Jubilee .

But charlton is basically pretty nice - £650k minimum for a 3 bed I reckon

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TimTamTerrier · 29/03/2017 21:10

Bus would work too. I lived on the Isle of Dogs and my friend would always come by train and DLR if meeting us at CW, but that was probably because it's easier with a pushchair than going on a bus.

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happyfam4 · 29/03/2017 22:06

I live in Charlton and love it.

You should Def Come around to look.

Conran's is the local agent here so I am sure they will find you a lovely 3 bedroom house around 500ish

Good luck

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user1490782120 · 30/03/2017 14:35

Thanks. Do you know good schools around? we plan to visit Crayford and Greenwich to see which area, schools we like. We googled West Hill, Wentworth primary, both seem nice. But we already missed the application deadline, will see which school has space

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user1490782120 · 30/03/2017 14:37

Thanks. Can I ask which school your child goes, we want to visit CW college and Halstow primary. But DS is 4, we missed the application deadline, the schools may not have space.

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user1490782120 · 30/03/2017 14:38

It's the Greenwich campus.

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user1490782120 · 30/03/2017 14:40

£650k is too much for us, can't afford. Two bed may be possible.

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user1490782120 · 30/03/2017 14:41

Thanks. Do you any good school in Charlton?

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happyfam4 · 30/03/2017 14:58

Links for houses in charlton:
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-47236380.html
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-46720164.html
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-65456813.html

Local excellent school near me
Sherington
lady of grace
Charlton manor

Lots of parks, activity for kids and big community

we have a charlton mummy and daddy group

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happyfam4 · 30/03/2017 15:14

Others

Invicus
Fossdene
Cherry orchard

Ps south eastern trains punctuality is like 87% ish so north greenwich and buses are useful

For nicer bigger houses you can try kidbrooke and Eltham

Good luck :)

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user1490782120 · 30/03/2017 17:05

Thanks so much! We will come and check out the area and schools.

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