Forest hill in SELondon for a family

[dazednconfused21]

After trying to find something in North London - we have realized that everything is now out of budget and have switched our search to SE London. Lots of people have mentioned Forest Hill to us and it seems to have lots of pluses - a museum, nice cafes, library, leisure centre etc. The only downside is that we've only lived in North London and are feeling a bit lost south of the river. Would anyone here have any suggested whether Forest Hill is a nice area for a family with two DC? We've also had a look at Honor Oak - though seems to have fewer facilities, Crystal Palace is a bit of an awkward route to work. Did consider asking on the local facebook group but it's very outing and thought against it. I know that Forest hill was the place to move for couple a few years ago - but would you still recommend it? Any help/suggestions would be wonderful - thank you

Forest Hill has all the things you say - cafes, museum etc., as well as parks. It has good primary schools and good transport links. It's close to both Crystal Palace and East Dulwich with their cafes, bars and parks. It's definitely family friendly.
Honor Oak is part of Forest Hill and also family friendly but with a lot of very small houses which I think expensive for their size.

Yes forest hill is a good place for families as is Crofton Park, Brockley, and Ladywell. Good schools, cafes, parks, and lots of other families with kids. You can get bigger houses in Ladywell but if course it's dependent on budget. If you're coming from N. London they will probably seem huge for the price!

Worth looking at Hither Green too!

Thank you all. Is there much difference between these places? I have had a wander around but it's so hard to tell. Our budget is probably ok for SELondon but realistically we will both be working from home for half the week and need an office (or even two) so will need a four-bed place.

I think they all have quite a distinct feel to them, Forest Hill probably has the most amenities and is close to Horniman which is nice for kids. Personally I prefer Brockley as it feels a little less suburban. Ladywell is completely different again, great transport options.
Lots of families in all the places mentioned from what I've seen, and lots of green space.

If you live in North London you'll understand the way one area kind of morphs into another in London - so there's not a massive distance or even difference between the areas. Crofton Park tends to focus around the high street, station, and library there. Brockley is further along the same road but the houses tend to be bigger and the feel is a bit more urban the further along you go (and the nearer to new cross you get). Ladywell is in between two parks: Ladywell Fields and Hilly Fields. It feels bit more Lewishamy (by which I mean hippy 😁) there. Going further along to Lewisham might be a good idea investment wise since the tube is going there in a few years. I don't really know hither green well.

It's difficult to be precise but hope that helps.

I'm in Forest Hill/upper Sydenham and absolutely love it! Fab schools, loads of lovely parks, the Horniman, great transport links, a real sense of community... the list goes on. Feel free to message me if you want more info.

There's a local Facebook group called SE23 mums, which might be worth joining.

Near hilly fields is nice- a bit closer to lewisham/ St. John’s and there are lots of good schools too. Plus the bakerloo line is going to be coming to Lewisham and then you have the dlr, overground and then also bakerloo when it arrives. SE has some lovely areas - brockley market at the weekend is very close too.

Hilly fields is walking distance from Brockley - its definitely worth a look good commute overland to London

We’ve been in Forest Hill for 10 years, and have a 10 and 7 year old. Primary schools are great, lots of good parks and a great community feel. The horniman is fab for kids with lots of free activities (in non COVID times obviously), good transport links etc - the downside is the south circular cutting through it.

The Bakerloo line isn't definitely going to Lewisham and if it is, it isn't going to be for another decade or two give TFLs finances. I moved here 5 years ago at which point the regeneration of old Kent road and the bakerloo extension was definitely going to happen but they're no further forward now.

Personally, if you've got the budget I like Peckham Rye / East Dulwich / Nunhead. I wish I understood the appeal of Lewisham but I really don't.

I think it is a bit further along in that the land has been reserved to do it. But I do see your point. I wouldn't buy a house on the strength of it but it might help me decide between two areas. After all the overground did eventually come this way as planned.

Peckham Rye & Nunhead are good too (though the stark poverty/wealth in Peckham is sometimes difficult to see past). East Dulwich too posh for me but yes certainly pleasant and family friendly.

Great to get so much feedback. And it's funny because I would totally say that areas in North London are completely different from each other and would absolutely only go for one but not there other. But have no feel for it in the South East. The only one I slightly do know is East Dulwich is the only place that I do actually know but I think that it's become too posh for us. I thought it was fine even ten years ago but it feels very proper whenever I go there and I would feel the pressure too much. I've noticed that primaries all seem to be fine, any advice on secondaries and whether one part is better than the other for that - though ours are not even in primary yet. Also coming from North London and at least partially working from home, how did people find meeting people etc and building some sort of social circle in a new area?

We made ours initially through neighbours, then through the children’s school and clubs. There are a couple of nice small restaurants / bars around brockley too. It’s got a very safe feel walking around, and there are lots of buses too if you are out late and don’t fancy walking.

We met our friends through NCT/toddler groups/ school as well as friends of friends and hobby groups. There's also the South East London effect which means you will bump into at least one person you already know from your past .

By the time your kids get to secondary school I think most will be great. Having boys/girls is a factor since there are a few single sex schools in the area and the girls' schools tend to be more obviously good but there are no 'sink schools' in the area any more really.

Ladywell is a fabulous place to live if you have small children as you’re between Hilly Fields and Ladywell Fields which each offer something unique (HF - views, hills!, lovely cafe and playground, LF - mainly flat so good for cycle and scooting practice, skatepark, train-watching for toddlers, less windy, Ravensbourne stream for paddling in summer...). The primary schools are generally all great but there are a few streets which can be black holes. If you have girls you are sorted with Prendergast Hilly Fields on your doorstep. If you have boys the options aren’t so obvious but all the mixed secondaries seem to be improving as people have said. Ladywell has a good mix of 1920s and 30s houses and larger Victorian ones too. I think the best street is the Ladywell village end of Embleton Road. Algiers Road is also lovely.

Forest Hill is nice but my heart belongs to Brockley (we got priced out and moved to the countryside but I absolutely loved living there).

Ladywell also great but you can’t beat Brockley in my opinion. Especially as a PP said if you go closer to the St John’s end, for transport you’ve got St John’s station train, Brockley train or overground, or walk to deptford bridge and get the DLR. really handy to have so many options when there’s engineering works!

yes, there seems to be a lot of love for Brockley - will check it out - which parts would you say are the nicest? Though I really do see the appeal of all the facilities in Forest Hill. We've got one of each so will either need a mixed or boy/girl secondary. Hoping we won't have to move again as it's really hard to rebuild your social circle (as well as travelling halfway across london to meet existing friends).

@Sleepthief - we've tried to have a wonder around some of the schools and their catchment areas. Would you say the bit around Eliot bank is ok? Not sure we could afford a house big enough next to the Horniman but the other side seems a bit cheaper. Would you recommend it?

We lived in Forest Hill before leaving London - it's great for young families, really nice green spaces and the museum is brill. Secondary school choices are a bit iffy though.

@HavelockVetinari did you leave specifically because of secondaries or just in general? What does everyone else do? Is that the common route and where do people move to after Forest Hill? Would it be any different in say Brockley?

No - we left whilst I was pg because I have quite severe asthma and DH has eczema (both caused by the same gene, different mutations). We were worried that if DS was born with asthma he'd be affected by the pollution - I nearly died from it as a child so we weren't just being precious.

@HavelockVetinari so sorry to hear that. We have allergies in the family and I know how tough that can be. Hopefully, it got better with less polution!

Telegraph Hill conservation area and the Brockley side of Hilly Fields have some lovely houses. I don't mind Forest Hill, but I personally would rather live in Brockley or Nunhead and travel to use the forest hill facilities. I can't comment on the kids side of things though and understand that might make you think very differently!

[quote dazednconfused21]@HavelockVetinari so sorry to hear that. We have allergies in the family and I know how tough that can be. Hopefully, it got better with less polution![/quote]
It did thanks, although DS seems to have dodged asthma (thank God!). My lungs are definitely a lot better