Dulwich-Herne Hill/Blackheath/Clapham??

[N1MTB]

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!

Fingers crossed Legal Alien!! Yup, I saw the catchment areas for Brindishe Lee and also checked out their website a few weeks ago. It looks very progressive...! In a good way, I'm sure, just not a traditional primary school. The results are amazing so it must be brilliant. Lucky you having your children there.

I think we'll hold out for Dulwich or Blackheath village for a bit longer as those are still our favourite areas.

I am now starting to get really fed up - there is NOTHING on the market, in our price range (which I thought was not insubstantial) that we even want to look at in Dulwich or Blackheath. Grrrrrr. I'm almost resigned to having to rent somewhere but don't know where we are going to buy so don't know where to rent....(nursery/primary school/nanny issues etc are all very area dependent). I love Dulwich village but there is no point renting there if there are no houses we like that we can afford to buy in the area.

Legal Alien - apologies for not commiserating on your wet experience in Sciliy. Tres rude of me... I'm hoping that your speculation about houses possibly coming on towards the end of the school year is right!

Have you thought about doing a leaflet drop (not uncommon in these parts and probably a good time of year in light of my earlier comments). My friend swears she's going to sell her house if her planning permission doesn't come through soon, so maybe I can just wind her up a bit

Hmmm - that's a good idea actually. Might well do (or ask an estate agent to do it for us)! Thanks!!