Bromley South / Shortlands commute to Bank / Liverpool Street

[Applesauce29]

So, I need to move further into the suburbs as the schools here aren't great, and I'd love a garden. Does anyone have experience of the commute from these areas? Is it a nightmare doing it every day (train to Victoria, then district line, then walk seems best route). Also, what are the areas like in practice - is there a good community feel? Thanks in advance.

Why not shift towards Beckenham or Hayes? Hayes is good for schools plus trains into canon street which is a short walk to bank.

I commute from Petts Wood to my office near Liverpool St. My door to door journey is a smidge under an hour. It consists of ten minute walk to station, 28 minute train journey to Cannon St, 17 min walk from CS to the office. Beauty is that if there is a problem on the train line then I can go into Blackfriars or Charing Cross and while the Thameslink project is on my season ticket covers tube travel between Embankment or Blackfriars to CS. I adore Petts Wood, great place to live, lovely community feel, great primary school, decent but not amazing secondaries but then if child is bright we are perfectly placed for catchments for three grammar areas, Newstead/St Olaves about a mile and a half away, Kent grammars, plus Bexley grammars. 3 bed semi for about £500k. Better value areas of Crofton with spacious but less kerb appeal 1960s houses more affordable and some are in catchment for Ofsted Outstanding school Darrick Wood.

I don't really know Beckenh or Hayes but will have a look. Went to visit Petts Wood with DH but he thought it looked too rural. I'd love the country, he'd prefer smaller place nearer city centre, still working it what the compromises are going to be.