Penge Commute

[leu00so]

Hello - long time lurker first time poster here!

We are currently weighing up a move from Sidcup to Penge specifically for a shorter overall commute and wider array of terminal destinations (and also a slightly more interesting less suburban location - not worried about schools at least in the short-medium term).

We work in the City but have meetings around town so the daily commute destination can vary. And we tend to enjoy being in central or east London at weekends.

Can anyone comment on the reality day to day? Whilst 20 minute journeys sound good on paper, how reliable are the trains in practice? And what is the quality of the commute like - eg. standing room only? And do you feel like you have lots of route/connection options so you can play things relatively fast and loose, or do you feel constrained to a route in reality.

Some observations from people on the ground who use Penge West and East regularly would be most appreciated!

I used to use the Penge East one daily. It was generally reliable.

Penge East train is reliable, you can generally get a seat atm but I think that's linked to a lot of remote working still going on. Before the pandemic I worked 10-6 so had lots of space as I missed rush hour but my OH was frequently standing in the main rush hour journey. He also left from Penge West though so idk if that's a busier train. I'd say if everyone goes back to the office it will likely be standing room only but not overly crushed, good chance of a seat as long as a lot of companies continue hybrid working

If you have to change at Herne Hill to proceed to Blackfriars, Farringdon, etc, then be aware that the connecting train from Sutton is awful. Absolutely rammed.

I commute from one of the stations on the Penge West line. The Overground tends to be very busy, but from Penge you'd probably manage to get a seat. The London Bridge trains are better, even pre-pandemic the last seats went at Forest Hill and these days they're still not back up to those levels but they're only every half hour.