Dulwich or Greenwich

[Fifikittykat]

Would really love some advice on where to move to, the pros and cons of each from your perspective. I know both well as a young single, but no idea what they are like as family areas. My situation is as follows:

• DP and I both work in canary wharf
• Looking to start TTC in 2020 and will be mid 30s
• Budget of 850 - 975, would ideally like somewhere with 4 beds, would love a project
• Want somewhere we can stay for the next 15 years

Have you considered Wanstead? Easily commute-able to Canary Wharf (3 stops on central line then 4 stops on jubilee).

You could get a 4 bed property for your budget near Christchurch Green.

Lovely high street with pubs/restaurants/coffee shops.

State primaries are good, or there are private schools up in Snaresbrook and Woodford.

The commute from North Dulwich or East Dulwich or Forest Hill is super easy.

Those Brockley houses are fantastic. Pretty much exactly what I am looking for. I am going to go back to the area to get a feel for the community.

I love Wanstead, but we discounted the whole of North and East London due to family being South.

Brockley is great. Lived there and would have loved to have stayed (priced out as now everyone has realised how great it is!!)

It has a great community feel, lots going on, a fair few nice restaurants and a couple of bars, great for families, close to lots of the areas you love - we used to walk to Greenwich (about 30 mins from where we lived). Depending which end of Brockley you are at you could even walk to deptford bridge for the dlr .

Have you looked if there’s anything going on Manor Avenue? It’s full of beautiful big houses and was voted best street in Brockley .

Also Tressillian road and tyrwit road (near the park, again both full of beautiful big houses).

There are some lovely 3 - 4 bedroom Victorian converted flats on the Shooters Hill Rd near Blackheath/Charlton. Around 600k. Easy commute to Canary Wharf.

Within walking distance of Blackheath Village, Royal Standard and Greenwich Park

I love Greenwich but it feels very hard to move up the property ladder.

I am concerned about drugs but I guess that is everywhere in London.

Blackheath and Greenwich are great but secondary schools are a worry.

Brockley sounds to me like you get more bang for your buck.

I think living on shooters hill road could be really bad pollution and traffic wise.

Had a friend who lived on shooters hill road and it was so awful pollution wise.

Actually pollution around Greenwich and Blackheath is a problem.

I would second that wize, but I think that local studies have shown pollution levels drop just a couple of streets back from the main roads. There is a new Ikea opening soon which will inevitably lead to even heavier traffic but the train//tube network means travel is very good in the Greenwich/Blackheath area. Imo, certain parts of Brockley are in a little bubble surrounddd my much less salubrious areas (but, I guess that's London!).

Yes fair comment mrspatmore

Ikea is already a nightmare the paving around it makes it clear walking pedestrians are unwelcome and that is while it is a messy and dirty building site.

I am somewhat surprised that Ikea are not even trying to put on a pretence of care.

Rubbish road laying - poor signage.

Ikea is going to be a massive massive disaster - I think it will really change the area in an incredibly negative way. The roads are busy enough.

I can't believe the council supported it.

People will come from near and far for their flat pack and the local community has been sold down the drain.

That big blue box - it is a travesty.

I agree. We are moving a little further out of the area - will hopefully have the benefits of Blackheath/Greenwich 10-15 minutes away without the high house prices and traffic! I do love Ikea though and i'm sure you will find me downing the odd plate of meatballs with lingonberry sauce...
I'll really miss living in the Greenwich I know though - been here 20 years and it is amazing but time to move on for our little family.

Best of luck with the move mrspatnore

We keep weighing up doing the same - have considered lee or Brockley but have not found anything as yet.

Anyhow all the very best for your new beginnings.

A huge number of people in Greenwich move out further SE when they start to think about senior schools. The sensible option is to do that at the outset - Bromley/Chislehurst (easy to CW), great schools, community, more space for money etc.

What about Furzedown? It has a great village community and good primary and secondary schools - Graveney School is outstanding.
The Times repoert is here - www.thetimes.co.uk/article/furzedown-london-best-places-to-live-rgphpvvg5

Prices fit your budget too.
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-77412869.html

Good luck!

Hey OP, I know Brockley well and second/third the idea. Shout if you need more specific advice about it.

I think East Dulwich would be good for you.

You can easily get a 4 bed house for 1 million (you'd probably be able to offer 975k). Good schools.

What abut Crystal Palace? I'd look from around Paxton Green and up Gipsy Hill. Gipsy Hill BR goes to Victoria & London Bridge.

You're near very good independent schools, there's a new everyman cinema at CP that has sofas and waitress service at your seat. The restaurants in CP are fantastic - definitely beat Dulwich Village and also imho East Dulwich.

I have a bit of a soft spot for West Dulwich though.

If you also look at the Anerley side of CP as you will have access to the Overground which is good for Canary Wharf & London Bridge. And there's some really great roads all around Fox Hill.