Moving to Orpington

[ShellaB]

Hi, I'm looking to move to a 2 bed house in Orpington. The property will be on Amhurst Drive which is classed as being in Poverest. It's in-between St Mary's Cray station and Petts wood station. The same waking and driving distance. I'm moving from the area Highgate, and previously lived in Streatham.

I've heard that st Mary's Cray is not a desirable area to live in ( would like to know more information as to why ), and the schools aren't the best. I have two young children.

If anybody knows the road, please let me know if this will be a good area to raise my two children. Driving around the area, it seemed nice, but living there could be a different story. Thanks.

[PuttingDownRoots]

I actually grew up around there...

Two concerns for Amherst Drive.

• railway noise... the railway is just behind It and there's multiple trains an hour.
• schools. While there is a Primary in walking distance (not sure on current reputation, but its never been as well regarded as some others in that area), secondary schools have always been a problem around there.... they are awkward to get to.

[ShellaB]

I see, thanks for your response.

How about the crime rate around there...

Also, is it multicultural?

[Mama_bear]

It's okay, not sure about multi cultural. It isn't one of the nicer areas of Bromley but then Bromley is a very rich borough.
I'm nor sure what primaries you would go to from there but the one on Sevenoaks way is good. Do you have boys or girls as you'd get into Chislehurst for girls which is a good school. Also Kemnal has a bad reputation but I have a friend whose son is there and he likes it.

[Mama_bear]

Looking again, you might get into Crofton primary which is massive but very good and has wraparound care which is useful if you work.

[ShellaB]

I have two boys funny enough, who are mixed, so don't want them to be the only children of their colour. I will have a look distance wise. I drive none the less so I'm not too fussed about the niceness, but just want to make sure it's most of all safe.

[ShellaB]

Yes, I've seen that plus Poverest primary school. Will have a look into it. Thanks.

[DoughnutDreams]

I'm not from anywhere near but remember visiting my friend with my toddler. Got things thrown at us when coming out the train station and walking past a gang of older youths. One of the objects was a 2p coin. It was quite intimidating.

[ShellaB]

Oh dear, was this st Mary's Cray station?

[AnneElliott]

Definitely avoid either of the Cray's. Really dodgy. Not sure where the road is but I wouldn't be living anywhere close to St Mary's Cray.

[purplemunkey]

I lived not far from there for a while - the other side of Poverest school. It was quite nice on my road and immediate surrounding area, but I was well aware St Mary Cray was considerably rougher. However, I used St Mary Cray station to commute in and out of London for work and never experienced anything like the previous poster mentions.

Petts Wood is a lot nicer, but more expensive. We’d moved away before DC got to school age so don’t know much about the schools I’m afraid, though I heard Poverest was fine. Perry Hall had a good rep but I think you’d be out of catchment.

[ShellaB]

Cheers everyone, will have a considerable think.

[ShellaB]

Not sure about it anymore, as the schools in the catchment area have quite poor ratings from Ofsted. What a shame

[WordtoYoMumma]

I have family who live in St Mary Cray and honestly it's fine, in my experience it's pure snobbery people saying don't live there, it's awful etc. It's not the richest area in the Bromley borough but it's the posh folks of Chislehurst and Petts Wood who are getting their houses broken into and their catalytic converters robbed from the cars on their drive. I use St Mary Cray station when I visit family and have never once felt unsafe or that it's a problem. I don't know Amherst drive specifically but "The Crays" are fine. The Nugent shopping park is nice with some good shops and a Costa etc. People I know in st Mary cray have never had an issue with crime in the area, as I say it's the people in the richer area experience way more crime, break ins, etc

[ShellaB]

Thank you for sharing, currently living in Highgate, this is a usual problem around here too,. A lot of break ins. What you say does make sense

[Hayliebells]

You really don't have very good secondary school options that end of Orpington, that in itself would put me off. Are your children boys or girls? You want to be closer to Darrick Wood (mixed), or Ravenswood (boys).

[ShellaB]

By time they're in secondary school, I would have moved again, so for now it's just primary school I'm worried about. Thanks

[Chocolatesandroses]

I have just moved here from Sidcup literally 4 months ago . I live near leesons hill which is fine and it’s quiet here . My mum lives in Poverest road the top end and has lived here 6 years she’s never had no problems and I have heard that people have said the bottom of Poverest road is a bit rough. Avoid near st Mary cray high street as that is suppose to be a bit rough and also near star lane . Ramsden estate is another one to avoid . Apart. My daughter use to go to grays farm Primary which is by Sevenoaks way and it’s a good school . Secondary schools I honestly would avoid kemnal I haven’t heard anything good about it

[WhenDovesFly]

I'll come out and say it as it is. Some people don't like the Crays as there is a high population of traveller families in the area. I don't live in the area but I used to work in Orpington and got to know about the demographics that way.

[WhenDovesFly]

And for the record, I personally never had any trouble when I worked in Orpington, so have no issues with the cultural make up of the area.

[LostMySocks]

I live in Orpington and DS are in primary here. Most of the primaries are pretty good. Ofsteds are all very old so go take a look at the schools.
But if you are looking at in year transfer you could end up anywhere with space. Of you are looking for reception check the Bromley school admissions for distance criteria for each school.
There is quite a lot of movement in and out of the area plus people moving house for secondary as limited options in Orpington but does mean that space s open up in KS2

[DoughnutDreams]

@ShellaB

Oh dear, was this st Mary's Cray station?

Yes, it was St Mary Cray station. My friend's street seemed nice and I don't think she had any trouble but I was actually just talking about it with my child recently. It was a situation they remembered.
We don't live anywhere near London though, so I really don't know how usual it is to experience that kind of behaviour.

[ShellaB]

Thanks everyone.
Does anyone know whether you can attend a primary school outside of your catchment area, or if it's strictly in?

[PuttingDownRoots]

Primary school comes down to distance rather than formal catchment areas

[Turmerictolly]

It's very different to Highgate. There's a lot of social housing in the Crays and sometimes that brings anti social behaviour. In that area there are small gangs of youths whizzing up and down on motorbikes and quad bikes, a bit of intimidation by the shops near to the station. It's a mostly, white, working class area but Orpington town centre is fairly diverse and there are quite a few Asian families attracted by the two super selective grammars. If you have the choice, go further towards Orpington, Petts Wood or Sidcup.

[WellTidy]

The Crays areas are amongst the most impacted by poverty in the borough. Many, many people there live in social housing and rely on benefits and charities to help them day to day. There is known anti social behaviour. It isn’t seen as a desirable area within the borough as it is relatively deprived. Of course, there will be supportive, friendly, respectful etc areas within the Crays and you could have a really good experience.