Dulwich

[xelous]

DH and I are considering moving to Dulwich. We are hoping to have a baby whilst there also.

We would rent initially and ideally we would like to pay £2k pcm but could go higher. We'd love a Victorian flat conversion.

What are the different areas of Dulwich like and which would you recommend?

We love the village but wouldn't really want to live there. We've visited a the different areas a few times but don't think that's enough to get a proper feel for what each of the areas have to offer.

Thanks!

East Dulwich has lots of shops. West Dulwich is quieter and Dulwich Village is twee

it’s full of people who love living in London but Dulwich doesn’t not represent London as it’s the least integrated area of London I Know. most people seem not to be from London.

it’s nice but there is a reason it’s called Dullwich …

You have to like traffic jams. Cos there's always loads of them. Train routes are a bit dodgy. The line that goes through North Dulwich and East Dulwich is frequently not running.

Easy Dulwich does seem nice from what I've experienced. Interesting @HRTQueen , we're not from London but have lived there before for a couple of years and I work there now and DH will soon so makes sense to move back

Where do you need to be for work and how many beds?

@SteveBuscemisRheumyEye I work on tower bridge and 2 beds

East Dulwich is 10 minutes walk from Peckham. It’s also 10 minutes for all the crimbos to walk from Peckham. As long as you have good security you should be OK

East Dulwich is lovely and has lots going on there, especially around lordship lane and Peckham rye. West Dulwich and Dulwich village have nice houses, but I find them fairly bland.

@OnedayIwillfeelfree I thought Peckham had been massively gentrified?

@rfr thank you, that's what I was thinking

@xelous Peckham - the bit where the shops are and Peckham Rye Station is a big giant craphole.
Sorry Peckham....but you are (I go through Peckham almost daily).

Peckham rye has been, queens road Peckham area not so much. Even around Peckham rye, crime can be quite common, but it is London so it's hard to escape from it really.

@Needmorelego how close is it to ED?

@rfr is there much overspill into ED?

@xelous I'm not sure where the 'line' between East Dulwich and Peckham actually is - it just sort of gradually changes from posh to terrible.
Although a lot of the side streets and housing stock (like the Victorian ones) that are Peckham are actually quite nice.
It's an odd mixture.

Where do you live at the moment and what do you like/dislike about it. I spent a bit of time in Dulwich and hated it. Transport is rubbish, felt like I was in the suburbs (admittedly I’m a city child), and couldn’t really tell you anything I liked about it! If you’re working there, then it might be different!

Live in East Dulwich and love it. Admittedly transport not as great as it could be considering distance to centre - we are half way between north dulwich and East Dulwich so if there’s any issue on that line it’s a pain, but there are options with Forest Hill, Herne Hill, Peckham rye, Denmark hill and buses. I think being closer to Peckham rye is optimum for trains - around Bellenden road is nice. It’s a lovely place to have kids - primary schools are pretty much all really good. Thinking toward secondary you’d want to be living in charter catchment. We are surrounded by parks and green space - Dulwich, Peckham Rye, Brockwell, Crystal Palace and Dulwich woods are regular haunts of ours. Main downside is if you want to drive out of London it takes forever to get to m25. Yes there is crime, but would be surprised if anywhere this central in London is crime free

@Needmorelego is the crime break ins? Or another variety?

@Farmerking thanks for the suggestion, will have a look into it. I've adored Dulwich every time I've visited though!

East Dulwich is nice but a bitch for parking. You'll pay 1.2 mil for a home and not be able to park near it

@Kreftla at the moment we live in a suburb in the midlands. We absolutely love all the green spaces, the relaxing feel, the slower pace and it's just stunning. I just feel relaxed and calm there. I also like the family and young professional vibe

@bunanarama what's the general issue with transport?

@xelous I don't know about crime levels. I meant that Peckham (the area where the shops are) is just horrible. The buildings are shabby, falling apart and covered in graffiti. Rubbish is everywhere. It's just a horrible mess.
There is usually random people shouting at other random people in the street for no reason. Lots of shoving at the bus stops.
It's just all a bit depressing really.
There are some plans to knock it all down and start again but when that is going to happen - no one knows.

@xelous transport issues in the Dulwich area are that the train line that goes through the area (2 stops - North Dulwich and East Dulwich) frequently doesn't run. If Southern need to cancel trains that's the route that always gets cut.
There are loads of buses - but also loads of traffic so a bus journey into central London takes absolutely ages (sometimes almost an hour).

I’d pick Wimbledon over Dulwich - similarly green and villagey but more to it and better transport (multiple options), also very near to other nice areas whereas Dulwich is kind of on its own.

Would you move again before school age - if not then definitely look at school options and catchments before you decide.