What are Dulwich, Blackheath, Herne Hill and Tulse Hill like for life with a young family?

[Laladot]

Currently living in Fulham/Putney and looking to buy first place in a safe and villagey feeling area. Totally unfamiliar with these places/SE but heard they may be good to check out. My budget won’t stretch to what I want where I live currently...

I like Blackheath most out of all your options with Dulwich as a close second.

Tulse Hill is the odd one out here, it's pretty grim.

Tulse Hill is carved up by the south circular and doesn't really have a centre as such.

Dulwich, Blackheath and Herne Hill are absolutely busting at the seams with families with young children. You would feel right at home in any of them. Dulwich Village is very expensive and a bit twee - nearby East Dulwich would probably suit better.

What is your budget and what sort of house are you looking for? The good people of Mumsnet love to trawl Right Move for strangers!

Yes definitely rule out Tulse Hill as it is literally the south circular and then a spread out sprawl from there. I really don't think it has much charm at all.
What's your budget as perhaps Earlsfield may suit as well?

@Chicchicchicchiclana

Tulse Hill is carved up by the south circular and doesn't really have a centre as such.

Dulwich, Blackheath and Herne Hill are absolutely busting at the seams with families with young children. You would feel right at home in any of them. Dulwich Village is very expensive and a bit twee - nearby East Dulwich would probably suit better.

What is your budget and what sort of house are you looking for? The good people of Mumsnet love to trawl Right Move for strangers!

Budget is max 850k for a two bed, ideally a cute Victorian/Edwardian terrace

Many people who live in Greenwich and Blackheath (which are great when you have young kids) move out Chislehurst direction for schools (the very organised ones get there in time for primary school admissions and the less organised move ther in time for senior school) both because you get much more for your money, there are loads of good schools and it just feels less of a rat race whilst being an easy journey into London.

Option a
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/85374181#/

£850k for a two bed house? Bloody hell. That would buy you a mansion in the poshest area here. With money to spare!

I'm interested in this. I know Blackheath and Greenwich but not other parts of south London. Although I love Blackheath it is SO expensive. I'd love to know if other cheaper areas can compare.

Although that property linked above is nice, it is right on the Blackwall Tunnel Approach road which is horrible, noisy and fumy.

@Toddlerteaplease you're obviously not from London

Have you looked at Tooting, Balham or Streatham? All good for young families.

Depends a lot on what you want to prioritise - you would get a nice 3 or 4 bed house for your budget in Streatham but it's not as posh as say Dulwich.

Crystal Palace would be another one to look at.

Thanks. I like the streets in Tooting Bec, don’t love Steatham. Balham could be an option if I can afford...

I know. Looking for a freehold which is quite rare it seems...

I think the thing with London is that you basically have to compromise somewhere so you need to have a really good sense of your priorities and preferences.

We really wanted great schools and then secondly a good amount of space and that meant that we had to compromise on distance to the tube station. It sounds like you prioritise the feel of the area?

Yeah I do but I want it all haha. I am prepared for longer/more difficult travel and to buy somewhere that needs renovation but would like nice area and good schools

There are not that many two-bed terraced houses in those areas, in fact in London in general. RightMove shows 19 in the whole SE area in your price-range.

Something like this shows how far your budget would go in Tooting which has some really good schools

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/87068170

@Ifailed

There are not that many two-bed terraced houses in those areas, in fact in London in general. RightMove shows 19 in the whole SE area in your price-range.

Hmm yes I know. Any ideas where I might find a 2/3 bed terrace within my price range?

Thanks. I’ve been looking at crime rates too. The Balham side of tooting has lower crime. No idea if I can find anything within my budget in those streets though. It’s a minefield considering all the factors... especially schools. Seems really hard to find non religious ones!

This sort of house is quite sweet:
www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/74274135

When we were looking, we found the secondary schools were better around Tooting/Streatham than Balham which was a big factor for us.

Do you have children to consider? You say young family?

I would consider the schools and public transport links to.

Balham is better for public transport and schools.

I’d avoid Tulse hill. Very patchy areas. Transport not as great.

Tooting Bec side is nice.

Something like this: Bevin Square, London, SW17
www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-79972927.html

OP, I know this road, lots of similar houses.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/77140227

We live in Blackheath, it has a lovely village feel, independent shops, nice cafes, and green areas (the Heath/Greenwich Park/animal farms). I agree with the poster who mentioned the approach to the Blackwall tunnel, it is awful with car fumes. Also traffic through Greenwich and Blackheath is getting pretty bad as is the air quality.

On the other hand there are good primary schools/childcare facilities and a nice sense of community. Try Westcombe Park you might get a 2/3 bed within your price range near a good school.

Brockley
www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/property/london/rokeby-road/
This is a super house if you look past the dated decor.... It overpriced though, probably worth closer to £800k atm