Nice, safe and very friendly neighbourhoods in london zone 2 (maybe 3)

[Mhschoolq]

Following on for my other “where on earth to live?!” posts, I thought I’d ask where you think the friendliest, safest, nicest area in London zone 2 (preferably, but 3 also good!) is?

Definitely Herne Hill!

Kentish Town?!? 😂

I would add Catford and Crofton Park. There's loads of lovely places SE London. You're spoilt for choice really in that part of the world.

Not sure about Catford tbh. Doesn't feel safest to me but that may be because it's quite rough looking.

What's your budget, and your criteria?

I wouldn't argue with any of the suggestions above, but if you need somewhere a bit cheaper, you could look at Streatham Hill.

Access to brilliant schools, and a really friendly, active community. Especially in the 'ABCD' roads , incl Downton Avenue, Wavertree Rd , Nuthurst, Normanhurst.

It is a very active community, they organise street parties, close the traffic for 'Play Street', built a community garden and toy and book swap library. Lovely little neighbourhood park and playground (Hillside Gardens) , Palace Rd Nature Garden, easy walk to Brockwell Park. Great transport - Thameslink from Tulse Hill, Other trains from Streatham Hill, quick bus to the tube at Brixton.

Not as picturesque as some of the others though

Never in a thousand years would I put Catford in this category

I love Canada Water and Surrey quays area. Seems quite European somehow. Remarkably quiet for Zone 2 and well connected with tube, overground, bus and boat!

following

@SouthWestToo - interesting to hear about Streatham hill. how are the roads further down from the station like mount nod road? closer to dunraven? I still remember it when Streatham was anything but nice or safe so trying to get my bearings

Never in a thousand years would I put Catford in this category

Me neither!
I wouldn't say Streatham/Streatham Hill is picturesque at all.

Wandsworth Between the Commons is lovely but very expensive
Southfields is nice, parking is bad
Earlsfield is good but Garratt Lane shopping not great, though Southside is handy.

Streatham is also a pain in the arse transport wise if you’re a walk from the stations.

If this thread goes on long enough it will eventually be a list of everywhere in London

@IJumpedAboardAPirateShip

Kentish Town?!? 😂

What's wrong with Kentish Town?

It's good enough for Keir Starmer. Good schools, walking distance to Hampstead Heath, easy and quick into the west end and the city, good choice of shops, restaurants, and pubs.

It's expensive, but OP hasn't said what her budget is.

I love Kentish Town. Sadly many will be priced out as I was.

I wonder how many of the anti-Catford brigade have lived there recently? It's zone 3 rather than 2 but the Corbett Estate - that stretches to Hither Green station - has a fabulous community spirit. It's street parties, play streets, Advent window trails, arts trails, hipster beer/honey/sour dough heaven.

Ladywell, Hither Green and Forest Hill are worth a look too. Lewisham station is zone 2 so there's a fair amount of money to be saved if you're able to walk home from Lewisham.

I live in Forest Hill and can't say I've been enamoured with Catford whenever I've visited. Or Lewisham for that matter. I keep hearing that Catford is 'up and coming' but as my neighbour (who has lived in Forest Hill for a decade) put it "you can't polish a turd".

@skippy67

Lol at "Hackney Village". It was called Clapton when I was growing up there...

Was literally going to say exactly the same. You can like somewhere without sticking village on the end of it!

Where the fuck is "Hackney Village?!"

I lived there for 30-odd years and there definitely wasn't a place called Hackney village then!

Do you mean Hackney Central maybe?

I love Hackney, there's nowhere quite like it. But you're deluded if you think it's safe.

Hackney was Crackney when I was growing up... I guess gentrification results in the area being awarded a 'village' tag. Am sure there's a Brixton village now too...

Cross post Alez!

Is it Clapton though? Lower Clapton's already called Clapton Village (bit of a change from Murder Mile, which it was called when I was growing up).

And the PP mentions Victoria Park so sounds like it's over the other side?

@Smallgoon

Hackney was Crackney when I was growing up... I guess gentrification results in the area being awarded a 'village' tag. Am sure there's a Brixton village now too...

Clapton used to be murder mile! Things change though. I don't especially like it but I know lots of people who do.

Sorry, fastwigglylines it seems you're not the only one cross posting! I type slow on this phone.

@Smallgoon

Hackney was Crackney when I was growing up... I guess gentrification results in the area being awarded a 'village' tag. Am sure there's a Brixton village now too...

You, me too! Which wave of crack dealing was that? The first wave in the late 80s that turned out to be the corrupt local police supplying the crack to local dealers in Dalston (well documented if anyone thinks I'm exaggerating, look it up..)

Or the later just general lawlessness of Hackney streets?

I lived right on the frontline for a bit. That was ... erm... interesting.

Hackney may be being gentrified but the underbelly is still there AFAIK.

Every tube and train station will be named if you dont add budget and criteria, OP

Have Greenwich and blackheath been mentioned?

@fastwigglylines I was born in '85 so I'm afraid I don't know too much about the first wave you refer to. However, as a child in the 90's everyone knew that Crackney, sorry, Hackney, was a no-go, and best avoided unless you wanted your head kicked in.

That said, it has changed and is incredibly pricey now. Also, I don't think it's less safe now than somewhere like Tottenham for example, or Wood Green.

I'm wondering if the poster who is talking about somewhere called Hackney Village is meaning Victoria Park Village. Or are they inventing a new one?

@Babymamamama

I'm wondering if the poster who is talking about somewhere called Hackney Village is meaning Victoria Park Village. Or are they inventing a new one?

Apparently it is a thing...

www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/middx/vol10/pp18-22