Crystal Palace vs. Herne Hill - new mum

[Muntobe]

Hello!
I’m currently pregnant due in August. My partner and I are needing to move to south London for my partners job. Also I have an ill family member who lives in Sussex so want to live in closer proximity to them. We are considering Crystal Palace and Herne Hill but unsure what the pros and cons of both are. We’ve visited both and thoughts so far are:
Herne Hill:

• lovely roads and houses - seems like nice residential areas.
• brockwell park is lovely.
• Transport into central London are good (after mat leave my job is in Camden)
• cons - expensive (our max is £2500 for a two bed property to rent - standard of flats for that price are surprisingly poor so far).

Crystal Palace:

• properties seem to be more affordable.
• has the massive park
• transport is okay (not the best for my job)
• cons - the hills!!

I’d be really grateful for people’s thoughts about living in these areas, especially with a newborn. What activities are there to do with a little one and is one area better than the other for raising a baby?

Thanks!

I know both areas and would say both have a lot going on for young families.

If I were you, I'd be looking at primary schools and including that in your decision making.

If you're considering Crystal Palace, I would also expand to look at Anerley and Penge.

I live in Herne Hill and love it. It’s brilliant for families, great primary schools and great transport links (10 mins to Victoria and 20 mins to St Pancras on the Thameslink). It’s also very green (Brockwell, Dulwich and Ruskin parks are all walking distance).

I think it will really come down to what you can find for your budget as, as you’ve seen, it’s pretty expensive and you’ll get more for your money in Crystal Palace.

FWIW we have friends in Crystal Palace who really love it and it seems great there as well. It’s just a bit further out and we value being more central.

I don’t think you’d go wrong with either.

Focus on primary schools, you want a full one as many are losing dc. Tbh J would look in a cheaper area as 2.5k won't get you much.