To turn down dream house Londoners

[Nochangeplease]

I’m Abu for posting here but need to make a quick decision and although I’m aware strangers on the internet can’t advise I’m interested anyway.
Have the option of moving to a nice place in Sydenham hill. Don’t know the area well or anybody in it but am aware it’s very green and I like that.
But... feels a bit like the middle of nowhere. Nowhere in walking distance. Coming from zone 1 would I be mad to give this area up. Where I am now is great. Kids are settled in their school and wouldn’t want to change.
Anyone have any advice or knowledge of the area?

How old are your children? What’s your current living space like and what would you be moving to?

It's a nice area but i wouldn't move from z1 for it

What is making you consider the move?

It's a nice area.

Why are you considering the move? What pushed you to it in the first place?

Are you moving close to the station?

Presumably the OP lives in a flat and is looking at Sydenham because she can afford a house there.

I think Sydenham is pretty nice. However, if your children are settled in their school and your area is great then it doesn’t sound as though you really want to move.

Yes, you'd be mad to leave zone 1 without good reason. Why do you think you'd be better off in S Hill?

It’s ok but not amazing. There are other areas around there much nicer - forest hill and Crystal Palace

Is it budget limiting you to there?

Give us your budget and requirements and we can make some recommendations

What they all said - it’s a nice area, I’d move there for space/schools but it depends what you’re after really.

It depends on what your giving up to move. We are in dulwich village, lots of lovely little cafes, shops, restaurants, large ,local park and picture gallery. My DS goes to school near sydenham hill station. Large houses round there, close to crystal palace, east dulwich too

What kind of property are you in in Zone 1?

There are some beautiful houses there but for me it is very sub urban / not well connected for transport. Is there a reason it has to be there?

One primary and one secondary. Both in outstanding schools. In a 2 bed flat currently and would be moving to a house which is the main reason. Although I’ve only ever lived in flats my whole life and we could just move to a bigger flat locally. I don’t hate being in a flat beciase I know no different.
Also family and friends are here. It’s a 10-25 min walk to the station and I couldn’t afford the train everyday, couldn’t drive beciase I’d have to pay congestion which I currently get at a 80% discount. So I’d either have to get a bus everyday which would be ridiculous or uproot completely with new schools and job which I really don’t like the idea of.
Basically the only pro of moving there is the actual property and the area seems quiet and very green which is both a pro and a con.
I suppose there are a lot more positives for staying put....

It’s always been a dream I suppose but now it’s a reality I’m realising it’s not how I imagined. My children are getting older too, 5 years ago I’d have done it without looking back.

Where I am now I can walk to either jubilee, northern or bakerloo line tubes in under 10mins plus mainline stations. Although I drive a lot and to be honest I don’t make use of all the things I’m lucky to have on my doorstep, it’s just nice to know they’re there.

Look for somewhere that is more in-between - a bit less space but with better transport. This one is a bit too radical a leap, I think.

@Nochangeplease It definitely does sound like you're listing more pros than cons for staying put.

Your current place sounds great! What area is that? I want to move there!

It sounds crazy to move, especially given your reasons.

I wouldn’t do it, you’re used to flats, your children are settled and no amount greenery or the fact you have some stairs in your home makes up for uprooting and being nowhere near your friends and family.

Sometimes it's good to be offered something and then realise that actually you don't want it after all . Sounds like this has happened to you. Your current place sounds amazing!

Not at secondary age, too much upheaval with schools and friends. Is it just you and the kids? Do they share?

Current place is fine but teen girl sharing with annoying brother. There’s no in between, I’m council so we either stay out and hope to get something local, or go.
I think I’ve made my decision. Responses on here kind of confirm. It’ll just break my heat to down down a house on a beautiful road with a garden.

I guess where you are is more important than what you’re in...?

Location location location

The pros -
Green and quiet., close to Dulwich woods
Dulwich is not far
Crystal Palace close by - lovely independent restaurants, quirky shops. Great park
Good value for money property wise
Good train service to London Victoria / Blackfriars
Schools - not sure about primary, for secondaries you have Harris Crystal Palace which has a good reputation. Sydenham High school for girls (private)
Good train service to Victoria or Blackfriars

The cons:
Quiet! But not overly so
Trains are heaving by the time they reach Sydenham Hill in the rush hour
You will be giving up the benefits of living in SE1. But you can get into London very easily