Moving to South East London/Bromley

[Medicineandmotherhood]

Good morning,
My family and I are looking to move from north west London to south east London. I just wondered if anyone had any experience living in any of the following areas as a black family, my daughter is 3.5 and due to start reception next September:

Bromley
Beckenham
New Eltham
Bexley
Bexleyheath

These are the areas that seem to have houses within our budget that accomodate my family but I am worried about moving from very diverse NW London to new area

Doubtmyself is mostly right. There's more to an area than 'looking pretty'. You couldn't pay me to live in Orpington, and that's part of Bromley. Downham is where loads of racist oiks who think they're on a come up as they live in 'Kent', are. Any racist comments Ive experienced in SE, have been in Beckenham. Bromley - I'd maybe chance BR1 but no further out. I don't know what Bexley is like now but hmmm its the old racist stronghold area isn't it. Ive heard good things about the Grammar school- although that doesn't sway me as unfortunately some of us will move anywhere we deem greener/a bit more upmarket, and teach our children to smile and grin in an attempt to be liked and to deflect racism, whilst ignoring how they must feel inside.

Wherever you choose, visit a good few times. Look around. Go to a couple of restaurants for a sit-down meal too. See what vibe you get. Hopefully that should give you a good feel for the area.

Hither Green and Forest Hill are nice, if you're interested in that part of SE

Penge end of Beckenham is your best bet.

Does your budget stretch to telegraph hill/Brockley/Honor Oak/Forest Hill?

good schools, very mixed.

Thank you all for the replies!
Since posting in this thread we are now in the process of buying a house in Sutton. We just felt much more comfortable when visiting there vs Bromley.

One of the DC and partner moved to Sutton a couple of years back - they have been happy there (I'd had some reservations). Its a lot more diverse than I had realised and other young friends have subsequently moved there so I assume its growing in popularity.

I'm cautious about assuming MC means liberal. Some will, but looking back over the decades its the WC allies who have been there for me in a disinterested where some of the MC "allies" were mainly interested in me as an example of just how liberal they are. Maybe that will be different for my DC's generation.