Dulwich or Balham?

[Honesttodog]

trying to find a family home which we will be in for 10 yrs or more.

We want to be on heaver estate in balham but have been to see a gorgeous house in east dulwich today and now I think i prefer dulwich.

Balham has great connections as you have tube and train, but is a bit dull for me, not that many great cafes or restaurants. Lavish habit is the only place I really like.

My DH would rather live in Balham as it's smarter, more stable house prices and value more likely to increase

I think I would be happier in Dulwich as people seemed more chilled out, nice community. But we'd have to start from scratch finding a place in a private school for DD for Sept 13. we can get a bigger place in dulwich for our money than in balham.

Any thoughts?

Fairly sure we can't afford Dulwich village. It's a bit too prissy for me anyway.

Yes prob East dulwich, I have fallen in love with a house there but DH not happy with the road - obv Heaver estate roads are really pretty. However, houses only coming on very slowly so am losing confidence that we will find one there.

Hi Everyone,

Hope you are enjoying the heat. any recommendations for a nice Italian dinner with the husband and child?

Thanks.

Herne Hill is lovely. I lived there for 13 years, would probably still be there if I could have afforded to buy there!

It depends on your taste though. I prefer a more villagey feel, so always loathed Balham myself. I hate that massive high street and busy road.

East Dulwich has really improved since I lived in Herne Hill. I drove through it the other day and was so shocked! It is like Dulwich Village in parts!

I loved being so close to Dulwich Village as it enabled me to pretend I lived in the country. I have now moved to the country!

As a returned native to Balham, some of the content of this thread saddens me.

An area is worth more than its prestigious schools, coffee shops, property prices or farmers markets. Tradition, community and history underlie all of London's constituent villages and towns. Districts rise and fall. One may buy a property in an unfashionable area to find prices appreciating over time or move to an 'in' place where prices depreciate.

Gentrification has thrown a blanket of denial over so many parts of inner London. Socially both Dulwich and Balham have been mixed. As in Dulwich, you can find fine houses in Balham (particularly but not exclusively on the Wandsworth borough side). In both locations you can also find unexpectedly high levels of social deprivation, inequality and resentment as well as hidden middle class issues which can manifest in a sense of cold detachment or inner despair.

In order to put down roots you need to cut through the superficiality and find a place in which you feel your needs are met. Good neighbours enhance one's sense of support. Both Balham and Dulwich have well established informal community networks. Contacts through schools may offer a third layer, if parents are friendly.

well yes re Dulwich being more chilled-out, it's more suburban as opposed to Balham which is younger and a busy place around the High St. Yet B has a nice, quiet side streets and relative proximity to much better shopping/cafes on Northcote Rd!
I'm surprised that you found more good cafes/restaurants in Dulwich though - maybe prettierr but better, more varied food? not my experience, and Balham is more dynamic so more places aer likely to be opening. Connecions to central London aer much better in Blaham! Also taxis cheaper if you need one late from theatre etc.

sorry for so many typos!

I must admit, I don't really understand the attraction of the Heaver estate, all the houses seem so gloomy inside)

Me neither - friends of mine lived there 20+ years until 3 years ago and made a fortune on their house there. Bought for £250K and sold for £1.75m! They moved to Harrogate.

The only plus to my mind was the proximity of the Common and the transport into central London with good rail and tube links.

It’s s stunning conservation area on the tube in SW London. Quite unique in that way. I could see why it has the appeal for people looking to live in zones 2-3.

JoJoSM2 knowing it well I disagree - it's not that stunning!

The Heaver Estate's main atraction is that the houses are large and near the common, which is great, and it has good transport links. Balham High Road has both an Aldi and Waitrose but I still wouldn't choose to live there myself. Much prefer other parts of SW London.

sunshinesupermum

If the Heaver Estate isn’t that stunning, where would you go for more attractive houses/residential roads in SW London?

This thread is from 2013, I’m sure OP has found a house already!

@Honesttodog - seems like you're trying to find a good compromise between price, lively area (great cafes / restaurants), and good schools. What about your and DHs commutes (if relevant)?

I've used a great website in the past which basically takes all those factors into account to match you to the best homes in different neighbourhoods meeting all those needs. It's quite clever and you might be able to find some great inspiration through it.

Have a look here!