Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Original poster

Dulwich-Herne Hill/Blackheath/Clapham??

104 replies

N1MTB · 21/03/2011 11:34

Hello,

We're currently considering moving to be near good primary schools and get more space for our money and also be near parks/green space etc. (We currently live at the Angel end of Islington.)

I grew up between Blackheath and Greenwich (and went to school in Blackheath) but would appreciate some thoughts about Dulwich/Herne Hill as I don't know the area very well. It looks lovely (and if we can be in the catchment area for the village infant and junior school that would be great) BUT I'm slightly worried there isn't that much on the doorstep shops/coffee places/restaurant-wise... I appreciate I am currently extremely spoilt, having Upper Street a couple of minues walk from my front door, but our perceived lack of places for "popping out" to in Dulwich, is putting us off a bit.

Commuting time to the city is important as we both work there - Herne Hill scores quite highly on that front because of the Thameslink but London Bridge/Cannon St is ok too.

Anyway, all three areas are lovely options but would appreciate any thoughts, especially from people who know a couple of the areas well! (For a bit more background, we have two children, DS (3) and DD (18 months), and would probably like to send them to independent secondaries after state primaries if we are still in a position to do so in a few years time! So, Dulwich has at least three very good options (that I know of off the top of my head).)

Thank you!

OP posts:
legalalien · 07/04/2011 17:18

umnitsa - with a 7 month old I'd suggest you look into the possibility of a nanny share. In this area there are quite a few people with school age children who continue to employ a full time nanny because of the difficulty of finding part time wrap around care that will also cover the (lengthy) private school holidays. You may be able to find someone who will share so that the nanny has sole charge of your baby during school hours, for example. And otherwise sharing a nanny tends to work out about the same as full time nursery, I suspect...

legalalien · 07/04/2011 17:19

eg there are quite a few ads on www.nannyshare.co.uk

GoldenBeagle · 08/04/2011 12:27

Rosendale is arguably a better school as it achieves a higher value-added rating. And easier to get in (being a bigger school with no religious admissions) and a slightly cheaper catchment, still bordering the DV roads. Turney, etc.
Not quite the same middle class bubble though, if that's what you're looking for. Or maybe interested in avoiding.

Put your child on the Nelly's wating list at birth or preferably before if you want to go there.

legalalien · 08/04/2011 14:14

Yes, I've heard that about Rosendale. I applied there but was just too far away! (note: Rosendale in Lambeth rather than Southwark, so a separate application to be made). for what it's worth the parents milling around the DVI gate scare me silly. but i am easily put off, don't know them, and shouldn't be too judgmental!

Original poster
N1MTB · 08/04/2011 16:13

Oh boy!! Thank you so much for the brilliant nursery info Legal Alien! That's really helpful.... Interesting about Rosendale - thank you Golden Beagle. I just like the village itself so it's actually an area thing rather than a preference of school and think DVI and Hamlet look great. Am scared about the parents now though... Maybe the Rosendale catchment area will hold more appeal now!

By the way, I completely agree about getting a nanny share. It's blinking brilliant and we've had the same nanny for 2.5 years (since DS was 6 months old). She now works just for us, as we have two children now, and she is the main reason we have't moved sooner. She's completely amazing. And, when we did the share, it worked out cheaper than our local nursery - plus I think it's nicer for very little ones to be looked after in a home.

OP posts:
Original poster
N1MTB · 08/04/2011 16:15

p.s. Yes - have been cleaning/tidying!

p.p.s Yes - saw that house on Woodwarde Road. Was lovely but not quite right for us!!

OP posts:
legalalien · 08/04/2011 18:19

I think you could make Rosendale catchment without too much difficulty if in Turney Road / Burbage Road, which is still DV even if parts of it are technically SE24. I'd investigate further if I were you. If you were sort of near the Turney Road / burbage road intersection I imagine there might be an overlap between hamlets and rosendale catchment. Although I could be wrong...

and on the subject of nanny shares there are a bunch of ads in the Just william's toy shop in Herne Hill (where I happened to be today, purchasing a puffle. If anyone can explain to me what 6 year old boys see in puffles I will be eternally grateful.)

Umnitsa · 08/04/2011 19:12

Legalalien - thank you for the nanny share idea.

I was leaning towards having a nanny as well (DH works antisocial IB hours, mine are ok but I travel a lot so it seems sensible to get a nanny). The house we are buying will have plenty of room for a live in nanny but I have a mental block about having someone live with us ALL THE TIME!!

Perhaps nanny share could allow some flexibility for her to stay over when needed but not necessary live with us. On the other hand I suspect it may be way too complicated logistically to work out with the other family...

Will pop into Just William's next week and have a look at the ads.

AprilfoolN1 · 09/04/2011 14:28

Thanks so much for info Legalalien, especially for typing it out twice! Have taken up your idea and registered for HH school yesterday. Cannot believe I've never been on nannyshare site before, it's fantastic! Will give it a whirl and post up an ad as will be so much cheaper/easier than two in day care if I can make it work out. Seems that there are several families looking to share within half a mile of our new address so I am hopeful!

Have heard very good things about Rosendale, they are very forward thinking in teaching methods apparently. Someone told me there was a TV documentary about it recently because it's so popular.

While researching all things Dulwich/HH, I have come across the blogs/columns of the 'Dulwichmum'. If she typifies the mothers at the DVI gates (or any other Dulwich school) then I am very, very scared.

What is a puffle?

legalalien · 10/04/2011 11:50

yes, dulwichmum's blog is very funny- and just a bit tongue in cheek! A puffle is a small furry creature created by Disney as part of its Club Penguin website (note: try and keep your children away from club penguin as long as possible. it's addictive and although it starts off free it's set up in a way that means you end up forking out for things!)

Original poster
N1MTB · 11/04/2011 10:26

Umnista - that's why we had a nanny too - DH is an IB (although at a non-American bank (and not the other nasty one), so it's not tooooo bad) and I'm a transactional lawyer so we can't get back for 6 pm most days. Nannies are much more flexible, as long as you agree it up front when you interview.

One of us is nearly always back for 6.30 though, but it's a struggle - which is one of the many reasons I'm thinking of changing jobs! I want to make sure I am back every night for an hour or so before bedtime. Our nanny is fab though and will stay a bit late - I just miss the children when I'm busy, obviously.

But you might find a live-in nanny easier if you travel a lot? Only warning would be that a lot of live-in nannies are younger (as they are girls in their gap year of post-school/uni, who want to travel/live abroad for a while) and not quite so experienced. A friend of mine had 3 disastrous live-ins in a row. However, I know of good experiences with live-in nannies too but just try to make sure you don't end up having to mother a slightly-older-than-teenage girl with problems! A live-out nanny share could work really well, especially if it is at your house and the nanny is prepared to stay on to babysit sometimes.

Puffles.... OMG. I don't even want to think about that yet! I have a Ben 10 obsessive on my hands. He's been madly into it since 2 1/2, which I think is a bit young really, and he won't take his blasted Ben 10 "watch" off. Apart from when he goes to bed. It's a horrid big plastic thing that bruises him all the time... And I am always made to be "Gwen" and told to help him fight the naughty Aliens... (His little sister, 20 months, is "Grandad" ?!)

OP posts:
legalalien · 11/04/2011 15:45

AARGH - Ben 10! We had it from about 3.5 to 4 - a relatively short timeframe by all accounts, There are so many plastic things for the kids to lust after, worse still. Actually, remembering that is making me feel better about the current football obsession.... Am guessing you have a Star Wars - Clone Wars phase coming right up.

Hmm. now speculating as to whether i might know you - although I suspect you are slightly younger than 39!

legalalien · 11/04/2011 15:47

actually ignore the "might know you" comment. For a minute there thought I was replying to AprilFoolN1. This thread is getting confusing.

Actually you've reminded me - someone asked me last week whether I knew anyone who'd like an in house job. Will PM you.

Original poster
N1MTB · 11/04/2011 15:56

Slightly younger than that Legal Alien - not tons....!

OP posts:
AprilfoolN1 · 11/04/2011 19:07

I went in-house - always back for 6pm but can no longer afford to shop like I used to!

Original poster
N1MTB · 14/04/2011 10:48

Oh boy... Two asking price offers and NOTHING available in Dulwich in our price bracket.... Not that I am complaining about the asking price offers. Rented here we come, I suppose. Although, one potential purchaser has said they will exchange ASAP and then complete any time (at our option) before 31 July so that's pretty good!

Details of our house were only sent out on Monday. Crikey....

OP posts:
Umnitsa · 14/04/2011 13:13

Wow, what excellent news on your house!

Mind you, we also made basically an asking price offer (98.5%) after a sealed bid tender - and the property had been on showing only for ten days, the vendors were rather surprised! They agreed to move into rented if need be but I've just got a call from the agent to say that they have found something and want to complete ASAP, to the extent of compensating us for the rent due if we move before 2 months' notice period.

Anyway, well done you on the offers!!

Original poster
N1MTB · 14/04/2011 13:58

Thanks Umnista! It's a nightmare trying to keep a house tidy with a 20 month old and a 3 year old so I'll be delighted if we only have it on for 10 days!

Good news re your house! That's fab.

OP posts:
AprilfoolN1 · 21/04/2011 07:28

woo hoo N1MTB - that's amazing!!!! Have you gone under offer then? The tidying was ridiculous - full time job - I hated it!

We move today - just waiting for removals people to turn up! argh! DH and I hung around Herne Hill yesterday while new place was cleaned and loved it! Discovered Brockwell Park - kids are going to love it, especially the Lido.

Fingers crossed something comes up for you both and good luck with the renting if you go down that route - it will take so much stress out of the process and give you precious breathing space.

Original poster
N1MTB · 21/04/2011 10:54

Thanks AprilfoolN1. I'm not going to celebrate until we exchange though!!

Wow - moving today... You are probably in full swing now. Nice day for it though. So much nicer moving into a new house/area when the sun is out.

Yup - Brockwell Park is very nice! Used to live the Brixton side of it when I was at law school. They've done up the lido too but I'm not really hearty enough for that. Although we do all have wetsuits now.... Hmmm....

Hope the unpacking isn't too horrendous! (Still nothing on the market in Dulwich in our price bracket! Am hoping people decide to put their house on straight after Easter...)

OP posts:
AngelicToad · 21/04/2011 21:38

Have you considered Hither Green/Lee? You can get an an amzing house for your budget..

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-31611299.html

www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-17905545.html?premiumA=true

You would be right on the door step of Brindishe Lee school (state) which made the top 100 schools in the country.

I love it here. The hub of the community is Manor House Gardens which is just lovely.

Original poster
N1MTB · 28/04/2011 12:43

Hello Angelic Toad! Good name... I don't know the area at all but I've seen both those houses on my Blackheath Rightmove searches (plus been sent the details by estate agents). Yup, Bridishe Lee does look amazing! I think when I lived in Blackheath (30 odd years ago now!), Lee wasn't very nice but I'm sure that's all changed. It's got to be worth checking it out anyway... We literally cannot find anything we like in our price range in Dulwich or Blackheath.... On hols at the moment (blinking freezing and wet in Greece - was much nicer at home!) but will resume search properly on Tuesday. Thanks for the tip and insider knowledge!!

OP posts:
chandellina · 28/04/2011 13:13

Brindishe Lee catchment was something like 136m this year, fyi!

AngelicToad · 28/04/2011 18:02

Yes, the catchment is very tight (although the Handen Road house literally backs on to the school, so almost guaranteed).

My children are at BL but luckily the catchment wasn't so tight a few years ago.

N1MTB - do come to the area to check it out. Make sure you drop by Manor House Gardens; as I say, it's the hub of the community.

There are also lots of private schools in the area (for Secondary?). There's Colfe's, Blackheath High and Eltham College.

legalalien · 02/05/2011 09:55

We had a similarly wet experience in Sicily! Although it was fine on a couple of the days..

I think more houses will come onto the market soon. Often people downsize or move out of London once their youngest child leaves primary or secondary school - so put their houses on the market towards the end of the school year...