Thameslink favourites - cho choose yours (sorry)

[Bleats]

Hi all

In normal days my DH commutes from London to Sheffield once a week during term time. While Sheffield has many many charms, a thriving market for my profession isn’t one of them.

As such we are listing our terrace SE London home to get something larger c4-5 beds, ideally a semi, a garden and great schools. The deal is that it needs to be on Thameslink so his into London commute section is simple. We would also like plenty of parks and decent shops, ideally a bit of a cultural hub but let’s not get too carried away (otherwise I will add a moon on a stick)

Beckenham keeps floating to the top of our search, but I would be keen to know of great places up in the northern section. I suspect that St Albans as lovely as it is will not have quite the increase in space that justifies a move.

Thanks for your help in advance.

Streatham Hill which is walkable to Tulse Hill. Good value property, nice small local parks (Hillside Gardens) walkable to the fabulous Brockwell Park and Streatham Common, walkable to the West Norwood Picturehouse cinema and the monthly West Norwood Feast (market / festival/ food). New Streatham Project theatre. M&S on the high rd, choice of good and outstanding primaries, outstanding secondary...

Or, West Norwood, within walking distance of Tulse Hill. West Norwood has a gallery /arts centre, too.

What is your budget?

Good calls, thanks. We would be happy at £1million or below, but for the perfect house we could stretch to £1.1mill. Crazy sums really...

This is in a lovely road that has a street party, a community garden at one end, a park at the other:
www.zoopla.co.uk/for-sale/details/57807271/?search_identifier=43208a008455f94f48b1255e7df6d0ea

Herne Hill might be in your price range too. On the edge of Brockwell Park (Lido!) , farmers market, good restaurants, walk or quick bus to Brixton for the Ritzy and new theatre opening. Need to check school catchments though.