Thinking of moving to Penge

[notaflyingmonkey]

We are having to move from south west London, and have been looking around the south east London area. Penge seems to tick a lot of boxes for us on paper: near decent green spaces, good transport links to London, fairly diverse.

What do people think who live there? I think at the moment we are gravitating towards one of the east/west stations.

Its diverse and good for commuting. Crystal palace park is very near and there are some lovely quiet roads. Kent House, Clock House and Beckenham are also good. There is a newish sports centre in Beckenham. What's your budget.

I live very close by but wouldn’t choose to live in Penge. The high st is slowly improving and there is a good community feel. What’s your budget/ requirements?

I like it - have a house the Clockhouse end and can’t wait to go back (working overseas to pay for it!). Transport good and great Italian (flavours on Green Lane!)

P.W train goes to London Bridge. P.E. is the Victoria line.

Penge is a mixed area. There is a lot of level crime and anti social behaviour. I would check out the local FB page.

Oh, thanks for all the speedy responses. The crime bit worries me as DS is 18.

Looking at around £670 for a 3 double bedroom.

Looked around Sydenham today as well.

Beckenham or Bromley might be good at that price. Lots of green spaces and schools.

Does it matter what station you need in London.

If crime rates are a concern, have a look at the Met Police Safer Neighbourhoods website. You’ll be able to see what’s reported and how crime rates compare to other areas.

I would look at sydenham or beckenham instead (but might be biased...I live in sydenham and am shortly moving to beckenham). You probably won’t get a 3 bed in the nicest part of Sydenham but would easily get one for that price in lower sydenham/ some parts of beckenham (more towards elmers end).

Penge is better than it used to be but wouldn’t choose to live there. I’ve lived in a few local areas, Beckenham, Bromley, Hayes, Crystal Palace.
Depends on your priorities? Crystal Palace has a lot going on, green space and good transport. Beckenham has lovely parks and plenty of restaurants, Bromley has fast trains to Victoria and various stopping trains plus a big shopping centre, new cinema. Hayes has excellent schools.

Not bothered about schools, as DCs are 18 and 21.

The overground line at Penge is attractive.

I loved CP but it is out of our price range.

Thanks for the tips, I will have a look at Beckenham.

I’m between clockhouse and Kent house and only a 20 minute walk to PW station - but it’s just a 10 minute bus ride to Sydenham station on the 194 for more frequent overground trains. There is also a few tram stops nearby as well!

As you are one of the few saying positive things about it Anna - could I ask what do you like about living there? Do you feel safe at night?

I've lived in Penge for a bit over a year and really like it, I think it depends what you're after. We came from Streatham and find it very calm and villagey. We also didn't need schools...

Best location I think is within about 1/2-3/4 of a mile of Penge East, that way you get easy acess to Victoria and Blackfriars at Penge East, but you're still walking distance to Penge West and Sydenham (the overground is more frequent to Sydendeham, so being a 10-15 minute walk from there is handy). More towards Anerley is nice as well but think you have to pick streets more carefully and the transport isn't as good (that's reflected in house prices though).

There's a few decent pubs and restaurants (good japanese cafe and some nice brunch spots, nice Italian), a new yoga studio has just opened and a tap room/bottle shop is due to open soon as well. Plus short walk to Crystal Palace for bars, etc. Green space is good too, apart from Crystal Palace park there's Alexandra Rec and Cator Park, plus a 10 minute journey to Beckenham Place Park.

I've never felt unsafe here and i'm back late (12-3am) often, and drink and stay out late round here quite a lot as well!

What @Toyah said! I have always safe in and around Penge. Have lived in the area for 20 years and i like it’s mix - feels like I’m in London! (so what’s not to like) - and it’s only 9 minutes to Brixton (which I definitely can’t afford!

Felt safe!

There's a great family butcher on the High Street (Murray Brothers) - I cycle over from Lewisham every week to use it.

Thanks for the feedback all, Iappreciate it!

Oooh yes, I forgot about that bit - it still feels like London here! That was really important to me. Beckenham and Bromley are both nice, but its a completely different vibe to me - much more suburban, lots of nice cars etc. Whereas Penge feels more like Zone 3 than 4 (not that different to Sydenham tbh, just not quite as gentrified yet).

Sydenham is great too, its just a little bit cheaper once you get into SE20, so easier to afford to be nearer the station.

I've lived in Penge for 8 years. I really like it. Feel very settled here, great sense of community. As others have mentioned great transport links, plenty of green spaces. While the High Street may be a little shabby it is very useful.

@notaflyingmonkey just reiterating what’s been said really, I have never felt unsafe & although the high street isn’t pretty it’s very useful Yy some good places to eat & a coupe of nice pubs, I actually prefer it to Sydenham it’s got a much nicer vibe imho.
I live very near a few of the other poster, I’m in one of the roads practically opposite kenthouse station & a few minutes from clockhouse station

@toyahwilcox ooh haven’t heard of the yoga studio, do you where it is please thank you.

Yoga place is up on the highstreet @dontcallmelen, opposite Homebase. Not been in yet but it looks great, seems like they have a lot of classes and got a big garden out the back as well.

I myself have never been to Penge but I've heard it's very nice.