Blackheath vs Orpington - what age DC would you move?

[purpletrees16]

Hi all,

Appreciate we’re very fortunate to still be considering moving in 2020/21.
I’m having a bit of conundrum about areas and lifestyles of where to live post lockdown. If an area doesn’t have good/suited secondaries what age DC did you move? I’d love to know what made you move/not move to the suburbs and how old were your DCs were at the time.

Since 2019 we’ve narrowed down to two options that meet our redlines and seen a few properties:

Opt 1: to buy a smaller place in Blackheath which has all the trappings of life we currently enjoy as married childless people (restaurants, warm sourdough, no car, a great run route and a short commute by bike- although slightly longer than currently.)

Opt 2: Or to skip a life stage and go straight to Orpington - commute is less frequent but still short enough (petts wood etc. are too long - we regularly work 12 hour days.) and the garden/house will be larger/fancier (not ex-la) but restaurants aren’t as great... I like one of the three we’ve tried.

Wfh will change to max 2 days most likely 1 day a week so commute is still very important - commuting stresses me out a lot.

It’s a heart vs head situation and I’d love to hear what decision you’d make esp. if you have children!

Blackheath and Orpington are very different! Have you looked at Brockley or Hither Green?

God, avoid Orpington!

I’ve lived in Petts Wood and now live in Orpington. I would say that petts wood has a much more village type feel to it, although for decent shopping you’d have to go to Bromley. But Petts wood has much nicer restaurants than Orpington, although that sadly might depend how many come out the other side of all this.

Do you have a house price range? The house prices in Petts wood are significantly higher than in Orpington, but given the choice I would live in Petts wood...

@ Flyingarcher Chapter one lost it’s star a few years ago.

Petts wood does have a Michelin starred Indian restaurant though.

I was going to suggest Charlton too. It’s really nice these days, especially near to blackheath standard area. Only ten mins walk to the top of Greenwich park too. That’s probably out of your budget for a four bedroom Victorian terrace on the ‘Charlton Slopes’ now unless you get a doer upper and one that needs the loft doing. secondary schools are definitely improving - Lee Academy is meant to be very good and Thomas Tallis is now. I’m moving away but also held hopes that John Roan would also get out of its current situation. As you probably know the primary schools are outstanding and you’re still close to the buzzy feel of Blackheath and Greenwich.

Thought I’d let people know - We went for Charlton! Completing on a 3 bed that needs some fixing up (structurally fine but 1980s interiors) in 2 weeks but I’m not going to be able to have anyone round to see my house new 2022 (or it feels that way) so not too much of a problem!

Really liked the area when we visited - had coffee in Charlton park - and we’re only 12mins walk from the really good bakery on the standard. Really liked the various people who showed us round their houses too. We have at least 12 years till secondary and so will either move then or see how things are. Perhaps then we will consider Beckenham 😉.

Looking forward to the move and thanks for the the advice!