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Original poster

Anyone live in Southwark area of London?

33 replies

expatkat · 17/12/2004 15:03

I'm increasingly fed up with my current neighbourhood and I wonder if moving somewhere else in London would be a less dramatic step than my current fantasy of moving back to NYC. What are the pros and cons of, say, Southwark for a family with 2 small kids?

OP posts:
aloha · 17/12/2004 15:05

Um where do you fancy? I live in less that gorgeous Camberwell but we are terribly happy in the area and though we are planning to move, don't plan to go far. It's not very glam but there is tons of stuff to do with children. So much, that we have to miss things most weeks. Where do you live atm? Why are you dissatisfied with it?

BRANdybutter · 17/12/2004 15:10

What's are the problems with where you are now expatkat? I haven't lived in Southwark, but we had a look at the area south of Tower Bridge the last time we moved and it was very urban, so not much in the way of parks or playgrounds.

TheHollyAndTheTwiglett · 17/12/2004 15:13

Incredibly happy in East Dulwich with 2 small kids

its like a little village within 6 miles of the centre of London

Loads of green spaces and play areas, good and improving primaries, lovely houses .. lots of pushchairs .. quite a lot of SAHMs (sure loads of working parents too but I just know the SAHMs)

the high street is getting nicer and nicer every month .. lots of little crafty shops too
what exactly do you want to know?

TheHollyAndTheTwiglett · 17/12/2004 15:14

little bit of info on dulwich community website

Original poster
expatkat · 17/12/2004 15:14

I live near Paddington in sort of Maida Vale/Little Venice area. It's a beautiful neighborhood, but I don't really fit in somehow. Too family oriented in a way. And in spite of living near loads of kids who are the ages of my kids, most of them are too overbooked to come around much anyway.

I'm looking for a more energetic, diverse (i.e. not just families) neighborhood.

OP posts:
aloha · 17/12/2004 15:16

If you live in Paddington ( and own your own home) then come to Southwark - East Dulwich is very nice - and buy a mansion! Seriously, it is very family, but in a diverse sort of way, if that makes any sense. ie not just Maida Vale yummy mummies.

TheHollyAndTheTwiglett · 17/12/2004 15:18

have you heard of up my street ... gives a guide to any neighbourhood based on postcode

motherinfestivemood · 17/12/2004 15:19

Oh yes, do. I'm not very far away, and always ogle East Dulwich enviously.

Original poster
expatkat · 17/12/2004 15:20

Bran, I really like ultra urban environments, like that area south of Tower Bridge you looked at, but I do worry that I'll find myself in the opposite extreme: with absolutely nowhere, not even a park, to take the children--which is what you seem to have found.

I'll look into that website, Twig, thanks.

I don't know Camberwell at all, Aloha, but glad you're happy there. I'll try to find out more about it.

OP posts:
hoxtonturkey · 17/12/2004 15:20

it's not south of the river, expatkat, but we love living in hackney. and it couldn't be more diverse (though you & i should still go to patogh!).

aloha · 17/12/2004 15:21

I do think that Southwark - ie the trendy Tate Britain area - would be too urban for a young family and you might feel isolated, esp at weekends when it really gets a bit deserted.

Original poster
expatkat · 17/12/2004 15:29

That's just what I was wondering, Alohathat isolation factor. And I didn't know it was trendy, actuallythat's interesting. Basically I want to be near the Southwark tube station because it's on the same line as the school my son is going to be going to, which is, alas, much farther north, in a way closer to where I am now. I'm also wondering if the tube is a reliable way to get your child to school each day, or is there too much chance of delays and the unexpected, orjust as badwill we have to jostle and fight to get on each morning. (I rarely ride the tube during rush hour, so don't really know.)

OP posts:
aloha · 17/12/2004 15:31

Where is he going to school?

spacedonkey · 17/12/2004 15:31

tube, rush hour ... dreadful!

Original poster
expatkat · 17/12/2004 15:31

Near Swiss Cottage.

Am I living in a fantasy world that a twice daily trips on the tube to Swiss Cottage from Southwark would work?

OP posts:
BRANdybutter · 17/12/2004 15:34

We settled on the Isle of Dogs in the end expatkat, which is still fairly urban and lively around Canary Wharf, but quite peaceful by the river. It's a pretty mixed community, lots of Eastend families who have been there for generations, and also lots of city/Canary Wharf types from around the world. It used to be that people moved away when they had their kids, but in the last 5 years they all seem to be staying and there is plenty for kids to do. It's mostly modern apartments and houses though, if you like old-world character you might like Wapping, fewer open spaces but still plenty to do especially the end closest to Canary Wharf.

spacedonkey · 17/12/2004 15:34

tbh I don't know epk, I would've thought the afternoon run would be fine, but morning may be a bit unpleasant

having said that i don't know the route at all, so not speaking from experience

aloha · 17/12/2004 15:35

nooo! Don't do it, it would be a daily nightmare IMO. Is it a private school? Quite a lot of good schools in E Dulwich area. But it might not be urban enough for you.

JJ · 17/12/2004 15:37

aloha, do you get broadband in Camberwell? I'm asking for a guy I know who says it's impossible.

expatkat, sorry about the hijack and the slackedness re the plate warmer. Will get in touch with you about it soon. (I love Hackney, too, btw!)

aloha · 17/12/2004 15:38

I'm on it now! BT. No problem.

spacedonkey · 17/12/2004 15:39

what about bayswater?

spacedonkey · 17/12/2004 15:39

or camden?

Original poster
expatkat · 17/12/2004 15:39

You may be right Aloha and spacedonkey--especially for someone mildly tube phobic like me.

Well this has all been v. interesting--thanks all. If anyone has any more thoughts on this, do express them.

OP posts:
BRANdybutter · 17/12/2004 15:43

What about somewhere like Primrose Hill or Belsize Park, they would both be walking distance to Swiss Cottage and are fairly lively. They both might have some of the problems that Maida Vale has though, as they are quite trendy and a bit cutesy.

JJ · 17/12/2004 15:52

aloha, thanks!

expatkat, they would switch schools anyway if they moved to NYC. Would you consider them changing here? I love the school my son attends.