Blackheath area knowledge & advice please!

[OccasionallyZen]

I saw a thread on here about Blackheath / Maze Hill and so I know there's a lot of SE London expertise here! Would be grateful to hear any thoughts about our family move options.

We are fortunate enough to have a good budget (750-850) which in any other part of the country could afford us a luxurious pad, but not in Blackheath! We are currently in a high rise 2-bed flat with no outside space in a built up part of east London. During lockdown we have been stuck without a car and not able to use the tube / buses due to health conditions. Where we live we have been 'locked' in by a busy dual carriageway so unable to walk on foot into central London unless we want to get fumigated by Co2. Consequently we have been yearning for green space and a nicer local environment for our DD and ourselves.

Original plan was to stay here until DD (1 yo) is 3 and then move and get her into a primary. What with how we feel, combined with stamp duty holiday we have decided to take the plunge earlier than expected and move. Our top area of choice would be Blackheath and ideally John Ball primary, (although there are lots of decent primaries around the area) or anywhere at the edge of Greenwich Park, so we could walk to the greenery in 5-10 mins max. Everything round there is so expensive and has a much smaller footprint than we have been used to. Here we have 1000 sq ft in our 2 bed and plenty of storage. It would make sense to try and get a 3-bed in case we have a 2nd child (unsure) or as an office to wfh. However, we could live with a 2-bed for another 5 years or so as long as the footprint was decent and it had some storage / cupboard space. Even this seems a stretch in BH, or in Greenwich or Maze Hill. Once you move towards North Greenwich is gets cheaper but we really want to avoid the sound of the road and the busy Blackwall tunnel stretch as we are craving popping out to the park every day.

Now I know from MN that Charlton is way better value for money and looking on Rightmove we could get a wonderful home for our budget, like nothing I'd ever imagined. BUT, walking to the heath is 30-35 mins or more over a main road. Every time I imagine our life it always comes back to the dream of being able to pop out onto the heath or Greenwich Park within 10 minutes, to fly a kite with our DD, teach her to ride her bike, walk to school, watch the fireworks, have a picnic etc etc. I don't mind a 30-40 mins walk at all, but that is not conducive to popping out regularly like a 5-10 minute walk would be.

I know most people would probably go for the family home in Charlton, but are we mad to be considering the idea of living a stones throw from the heath or Greenwich park in a 2 bed flat? Would we be bonkers to choose a flat and have our "garden" as the park / heath instead?

Also, for context transport-wise DH has to travel to the city and also the wharf.

Thank you x

[OccasionallyZen]

@JoJoSM2 yes you're right, we've been spoilt!

[OccasionallyZen]

@SilkieRabbits looks interesting doesn't it! Needs new roof, kitchen and bathroom plus wall knocking down so looks overpriced based on that. Fantastic location.

[HelloRose]

Another vote for Hither Green. Also very family friendly (according to my friend who has 3 kids and lives there). Another friend lives near Westcombe Park and has a lovely house on a quiet road. Always seemed a nice area