Moving to Catford - Culverley Conservation Area safety?

[JAF89]

Hi everyone,

DH and I have recently had an offer accepted on a house in the Culverley Conservation Area in Catford. The house is amazing but there's clearly a reason why we can afford it! We just found out the house was burgled a few years back and after doing some Googling we've seen that crime stats on some of the roads such as Bargery, Penerley etc. is pretty high.

Is there anyone living in the area who can vouch for its safety and also walking there at night from the station? I'm going to be working from home mainly and DH in the office during the day so a little worried it might not be the safest...any insider info would be really appreciated!

Thank you in advance!

I live in the opposite direction from the station (towards Honor Oak direction) so can’t vouch for your area specifically. However, I hate to say it when you’ve just had an offer accepted but I don’t feel safe in Catford generally at night. If I ever have to get the train home late at night DP will always pick me up or I’ll try to get the train back to Honor Oak instead.
That said, there’s a lot of gentrification in the area and supposedly it’s up and coming. But from experience living nearby there’s a lot of unsavoury characters about and it’s not somewhere I would buy a house.

Which Catford station do you come out of? Are you towards blithe Hill? I don't love Catford (live in a neighbouring area) but I do think there are bargains to be had given how lovely a lot of areas nearby are. The green path wat river that runs through Catford and ladywrll into Beckenham is amazing there are lots and lots of new homes planned for Catford

To reassue you I live in brockleu which is nicer and more expensive but there is a lot of crime I just think that is London.

Catford is a bit of a bargain and the wider area is changing I wouldn't worry about it

Just to add I definitely don't think of Catford as rmsomewhere I see drugs and crime openly on thr Street. And the people I know who live in Catford are all v arty or media types. Ita definitely not a run down or entirely deprived place. And the council are renovating a lot of it including the amazing pub can't remember the name

I live just up the road in Forest Hill and have literally just got back from running along the very path mentioned by waterrat up to Ladywell and back. It wouldn’t occur to me to be afraid after dark even in solitary places around here and I’ve never felt unsafe in Catford. It’s a bit grimy in parts but that’s true of many areas of London. Burglary is one of those crimes I’ve never really worried about at all living anywhere. I’ve known people burglars in Peckham and people burglars in Knightsbridge. Most of it is opportunistic. Buy good door locks and double lock them, don’t leave your windows open when you go out, and don’t leave valuables on display.

The area will have similar crime rates to other city areas.

The conservation area is gorgeous.

The area is going through some major developments include the extension of the bakerloo line.

The have many independent shops and eateries opening up along with the cinema.

The new live music venue is also opening.

I would proceed with the purchase.

Honestly if you like the house then you should go for it. Many have cold feet when they have an offer accepted as it is a big commitment.

I know people who livethere and they love it.

*people burgled, that should say.

I don't live in Catford but not too far off and go to Catford sometimes. The are is developing rapidly and has improved safety wise. I would say go for it

I live in the Culverley Green Area, @JAF89 we must be neighbours!

I often walk home from the train station after dark and have always felt safe, haven’t heard of anything happening to others either. I asked some neighbours about burglaries fairly recently, as it’s just something I tend to fret about, I was told that no one knew of any, although some sheds had been broken into.

Everywhere in London burglarises & shed break-ins will be an issue to some extent, from my research before we moved (about a year ago) the Culverley Green area ranked better than the places we considered in Peckham, Brockley, and Sydenham. Hope this helps!

Catford still has the same vibe as it did in the early 90s. But with a Costa. Hurrah!

@JAF89 late to the party, but would love to hear how you’re finding it? We’re considering the area and the houses are so gorgeous! X

There was a point at which it seemed as though Catford was on the rise, but unfortunately it’s really gone backwards recently. The Mews cinema and food court has closed this year, as have several nice independent cafes which have been replaced by betting shops; Catford Constitutional don’t think they’ll renew their lease; the Wetherspoons has also closed - which means that many of the people for whom it was a warm daytime hangout are now just loitering around Rushey Green.

We’re up in SE23 and would regularly walk down for all of the above, but now don’t set foot in Catford. It’s a shame, because as you acknowledge, some of the houses are lovely and seem good value - but the area just can’t catch a break.