London areas with village feel (zone 3)

[OztoLdn]

Today, we discovered Dulwich, what a gorgeous area.

We are looking for an area in zone 3 to settle (rent) but there isn’t anything in Dulwich at the moment.

Are there any similar areas?
What about Hither Green and Blackheath?
Any others?
We would like our door to door commute (to Moorgate/Mansion house) to be under 40 mins.
We need good primary and secondary state schools.
Thanks.

Sydenham, forest hill? Crystal palace/penge? Lee?
I guess further out looking at Bromley chilsehurst orpington, etc?
Slightly cheaper areas more east like welling or plumstead?

Herne Hill, Blackheath, Brockley, Highgate, Finsbury Park, Sydenham, Walthamstow

I was coming on to say Dulwich or East Dulwich as we used to live there!

Barnes

@OztoLdn
What in particular did you like about Dulwich? There are many areas with similar attributes but if you can share what you liked specifically, we can advise better.

But generally, for a green leafy area in south london with large park, independent shops and victorian housing, Greenwich and Blackheath are good options. But it doesn't have much of the white picket fence look you get in Dulwich Village. If you want that vibe, look at Kew/Barnes. Perhaps also parts of Wimbledon Village.

Walthamstow village

Not so much for the good secondaries though.

Muswell Hill? Crouch End? Stokey?

Greenwich, Blackheath, Chislehurst and Bexley

Ally Pally. 22 minutes to Moorgate, excellent state options, massive park, good high street in Muswell Hill plus nice local shops in Ally Pally.

There are very good schools in Chislehurst and Bexley.

Which side of Sydenham, the area surrounding Sydenham Hill Station or Sydenham Station?

I would live there in a heartbeat, it’s beautiful, but there aren’t any rentals at the moment. I will call some of the local agencies tomorrow just in case.

Richmond, Chiswick, Kew

The look of the streets with the little cafes and people sitting outside, lots of people riding bikes, the type of houses, very green and leafy, surrounded by parks, I saw a few nice primary schools with lots of green areas.
And last but definitely not least, only a 30 mins approx door to door commute from Herne Hill or North Dulwich.

First time I’ve heard about this area, I will have a look.

Ah right it’s Alexandra Palace!

Yes, Dulwich does have wide pavements suitable for outdoor dining.

I would discount the entire SE London, except Blackheath and West Greenwich.

SW London will have more of that vibe in parts of Battersea/Clapham (between the commons), parts of Wimbledon and Putney, and also parts of Richmond. The only challenge with SW is the commute may be long to the City, but will be doable within 30mins if you are walking distance to the Northern line.

From your description, you are really looking for areas popular with young affluent families.

There's loads within a reasonably short distance.

Which ones? My son is in Y4 and if you can recommend any easily accessible state secondaries for boys I am all ears!

Ealing

Blackheath. Chislehurst

@OztoLdn sorry, I only just saw this. Sydenham in general is nice. Sydenham hill, Sydenham woods is really posh. There's tower blocks and social housing but lots of nice late Victorian houses.

Definitely Barnes.

Ish-Wimbledon Village

We ended up renting a house in Hither Green, fingers crossed all goes well and we like the area.
I guess that if we don’t then we will be looking in a different area in a year.

Thanks all!