Charlton SE London?

[LifesaBotchh]

Hi,

I would appreciate hearing from anyone who lives in Charlton about the pros and cons. We are considering it as an area (as we can't afford Greenwich or Blackheath and Charlton seems a good compromise?).

What's it like for families? How are schools? Primary and Secondary schools?
Do you feel far out or is there a buzz?
What's commuting into central London like?
Do you walk to Greenwich or stay local?

Thank you

Commuting is easy. I used to live in woolwich. Jubilee line from North Greenwich reliable and lots of buses. Train service into city or Charing x. DLR good too and there used to be the clipper too.
I miss having so many travel options now I live in Sussex.
Parking can be a bit tricky on match days but that’s easily planned.
Can’t tell you about schools as I’m not local anymore and didn’t have them when I was there.

Thanks. But most of those travel options you mentioned aren't in Charlton - dlr, clipper, jubilee line etc. What's it like commuting from Charlton itself?

There are about 4 or 5 direct trains from Charlton to London Bridge every hour, takes about 15mins and you have the Thameslink service to London Bridge and Cannon Street. Google Trainline, Thameslink and Charlton Station for train times.

What they said ^

Depends on where in Charlton you are. You want to be close to actual Charlton station, some of it is more Woolwich Dockyard and that station is shit. The Village is nice but not a huge amount there. I'd try buy between Charlton Station and up towards The Standard.

If you look at the so-called "Charlton Slopes" you'll be right by the amenities of blackheath standard and within walking distance of Blackheath village.

A lot of people move out from Greenwich to Bromey/Bickley/Chislehurst/Beckenham (much more space for the money and an incredible selection of schools along with fast links to London).

Thank you. I have been to Beckenham Park once but otherwise know nothing about it as always lived in central London. Does it still feel like london if you know what I mean? Also do you have recommendations for the best secondaries there? I need to look into it more, including commute times etc. @MsFogi

We moved away for westcombe park because of the secondary schools. None are particularly good to be honest. The trains are all very practical and you do have the options of a bus to underground and DLR. Personally I don't miss it at all. We have moved to Eltham heights and are very pleased with our choice. This way we also access the Kent grammars. I cycle to the city so didn't want to move further out because my commute would be super long. But as others said Beckenham, Bromley and Chislehitst are very nice.

charlton slopes are great. large(ish) gardens for zone 3.
schools - primary, tbh they are all much of a muchness.
secondary - situation is getting better with a couple of new schools. plus some very good private ones in easy distance (black heath high school, colfes, eltham, dulwich, even st pauls by train). at a push grammar schools in the bexley heath area.

@Dogsandbabies

We moved away for westcombe park because of the secondary schools. None are particularly good to be honest. The trains are all very practical and you do have the options of a bus to underground and DLR. Personally I don't miss it at all. We have moved to Eltham heights and are very pleased with our choice. This way we also access the Kent grammars. I cycle to the city so didn't want to move further out because my commute would be super long. But as others said Beckenham, Bromley and Chislehitst are very nice.

Beckenham, Bromley, Chislehurst are very pricey.

@LifesaBotchh

Thank you. I have been to Beckenham Park once but otherwise know nothing about it as always lived in central London. Does it still feel like london if you know what I mean? Also do you have recommendations for the best secondaries there? I need to look into it more, including commute times etc. *@MsFogi*

It doesn't feel like central London but it feels as much like London as any of the other boroughs that are a bit further out, you'd really need to visit to get an idea (maybe visit Beckenham, Bromley centre, Bickley, Chislehurst and Petts Wood). There are loads of really good secondaries but all will depend on where you live and whether you are going selective (you'd have access to Bexley and Kent grammars as well as the super-selective Bromley grammars) or not (lots of very good non-selective but all have very tight catchment areas so you'd need to do your homework - off the top of my head Bullers Wood, Langley, Hayes, there are more you'd probably need to start a thread on that!).

We sold up and moved from Charlton to Bromley last month, we were able to afford so much more by moving a bit further out and to be honest I really don't miss it at all. Although we lived on one of the nice roads near the station I always felt like something was missing from the area and I much preferred walking up to the standard than spending time around the village. However, anyone with an eye for investment will see that Charlton is going to be one of the next hot places to buy so you could make a fortune if you get the right property. A couple of things I do miss about Charlton though are our old neighbours - everyone was lovely - and the amazing greengrocers, I can't find anywhere else to rival it!

@LifesaBotchh

Hi,

I would appreciate hearing from anyone who lives in Charlton about the pros and cons. We are considering it as an area (as we can't afford Greenwich or Blackheath and Charlton seems a good compromise?).

What's it like for families? How are schools? Primary and Secondary schools?
Do you feel far out or is there a buzz?
What's commuting into central London like?
Do you walk to Greenwich or stay local?

Thank you

You are going to find Charlton quite sleepy if you are moving from Central London. It doesn't really feel like London in the sense you don't have the buzzy vibe or \variety of interesting places to see/shop. It is also not as accessible to other places, as realistically, your only two stations within quick walking distance will be Charlton or Westcombe Park station (although maybe also Woolwich Dockyard if you are on the eastern edge of Charlton). Commuting is fine as long as you are going to a London terminus such as London Bridge, Charing X, Cannon St. Although once Crossrail arrives, it will be excellent. You can go back one stop to get to Woolwich, and then jump on Crossrail.

The main pro of Charlton is the housing stock. Some very beautiful houses at relatively affordable prices, and there is a nice community feel in the sense the neighbours are generally quite nice.

You won't be able to have a weekend in Charlton (not much to do), and for me, that makes it not ideal as a family area. It is often difficult and tiring to venture too far out from home when you have children, so being able to enjoy an area and spend the weekend without being bored is important.

Primary schools are ok, but Secondary will be an issue. Greenwich borough in general has a bit of a Secondary problem. Speak to estate agents, you will find many families leave the area once they get to Secondary age.

I am not sure what your budget is, but I'd prefer to be somewhere like Nunhead which feels more London, a bit more central, close to Dulwich/Peckham for a great vibe and energy. Depending on where you are in Nunhead, better access to good schools.

We looked at Charlton Slopes and primary options were great but secondary not so much and we couldn't stretch to private, so we crossed it off the list in the end.