Do you live/would you move to Norwood Junction?

[GreenEggs8Ham]

DH & I are looking for a family home and have been priced out of West Norwood/Forest Hill etc. We are giving serious consideration to Norwood Junction, especially around the Lakes area - does anyone have advice about schools (we're trying to have a family) or the area in general?

You have to avoid the border with Thornton Heath - but all accounts horrid, confirmed on MN by many. But I'd love to know opinions about the Lakes area too - seem to be cheap there while having good rail connections.

by all accounts, not 'but'.

The lakes area is lovely, we lived there for a couple of years when our son was a baby. It's a quiet area but Crystal Palace triangle is about 15-min walk away with lots of great restaurants and shops.

Thanks for the comments - not ones to waste time, we did a few viewings & scoped out the area on Friday. Norwood Lakes seemed v nice with some exercise classes & little cafe. Also v friendly cafe near station yehanohacafe.com/gallery/
Transport links are so good, it just needs a good pub for DH to have a cheeky pint in. Will tips him off about Crystal Palace though.

So, we fell in love with a place a couple of mins from the Lakes, put in an offer and it was accepted today! Really excited & looking for local groups I can get involved in.

Wow, OP! how lucky is that - all in the space of a week?!

Can you tell me a little more, have you looked at surrounds as well? Does the area feel safe (main concern)?

where would you shop there, any good supermarkets?

Also being near Gatwick, how was the plane noise? I've just started own thread about the last point, as I can see a few good value places in South Croydon which is just south of NJ, just wondering whether you drove past that area.. But yes, a few houses are on the market near the lakes too, I thought it was a hike to the station though as they tend to be nearer trams.

..and big congrats !

We saw a few place with real potential south of Norwood Junction station (I'm not sure if this is where you are thinking?) and had a walk around too.

The area felt pretty much the same as the high street around Norwood Junction, but I also read about this great action group who are doing a lot in the area to push regeneration: www.peopleforportlandroad.org.uk/

I didn't feel worried about walking around the area - but I grew up in Nottingham! The only thing that struck me is that the south exit of Norwood Junction station has a boarded up pub, which doesn't make me feel safe (not sure logic there).

I know we moved really quickly - have to admit, behind that week has been two years of getting priced out of other areas, so we decided to get ahead of the curve!

Couple of other things - Co-op supermarket near Norwood Junction station & a couple of EA mentioned a new Tesco that is coming to NJ, but not sure where.

I didn't notice any flight sounds at all, but will be in the area tonight & keeping an ear out!

I'm terrible at posting! Final one:
Just south of Norwood Lakes is 12-15 min walk to station (which is about my limit) so we went for that area.
And thanks for the congrats!

thanks so much, OP! Nottingham, eh? I think in the daytime all london areas aer ok, but some can be scary when dark, someone on MN mentioned gangs around Thirnton Heath who also travcel on buses presumably feels intimidating!
Great news re regenration, it's well overdue! really the area is not that far from Beckenham which is miles apart in terms of safety/amenities.
Also no plane noise - it's my main concern - I can't get my head around it though, Garwick is nearby yet you can't hear them, and now I remember I did stop off at Purley (which is firther) once and it wasn't noisy. The area I'm looking at is Santerstead which is south of South Croydon station but it's all quite near.
When are you planning to actually move?

GreenEggs8Ham have you moved yet?

beaglesaresweet Gatwick is miles away and there is no significant airplane noise. No need to worry.

I wonder where that new Tesco is going to be?

I have been in the area for 6-7 years now; attempted to move at one point, but fate made me to stay and I am increasingly confident that the area has started turning around.

We have a lovely Yeha Noha Cafe, Sainsbury's Local (Portland rd), a new cake shop (Pink Icing Co), People for Portland road community, South Norwood Tourist Board, massive Country park, much improved primary schools in the last few years, excellent commute links and very convenient for Crystal Palace, Beckenham and Croydon shopping centre which is going to be regenerated.

I don't like the look of some faces in the area, but I did notice an influx of new lovely people that are moving here being priced out from more trendy places.
I do have to walk late home sometimes, and while I am not so comfortable walking in the dark by myself, I have never had any trouble or anyone approach me.

Good luck with the move and settling in the area.

We moved to a house 5 mins walk from Norwood Lakes in January & predictably in all the madness I haven't had time to post for ages!

Highlights so far:

• our neighbours: a lovely retired lady, a family who own a trendy vintage shop in Crystal Palace and as of last week a very friendly family who have moved from a flat in East Dulwich

• the house: space, space, big garden front & back, 2 sheds & garage. We were only able to afford 2 bed flat in West Norwood!

• Norwood Lakes & every good value Pilates twice a week

• 5 min drive/20 min walk to Crystal Palace which we LOVE for the bars, food & vintage

So far I've felt ok walking to and from station, in the dark in Jan/Feb. I will pass on more as we settle in.

Just moved from crouch end via southern coast to this area. Amazed at the transport links and the ease of travel to Central London. Friendly neighbours, interesting people and a fantastic country park. After Crouch End and south coast life, this is so very friendly and interesting. Will wait to see if the medical facilities are good.