Blackheath vs Clapham?

[ByLws]

I'm looking to move with my family from our flat in Hackney to either Blackheath / Greenwich area or Clapham. I know they are very different areas but that each has their charms. I know both areas but have never lived there. The move will be me, my DH and our toddler. Hoping for another child in next couple of years. So therefore priorities for us are green spaces, schools and community / stuff to do. But we also want and need to be central - commute to city in under 45 mins and able to access the museums, airports etc easily.

Can anyone with DC comment on either area please, in terms of having a young family?

(Budget not really an issue for now as we will be letting out our Hackney flat and renting whilst we settle in.)

Thanks! All good points! We have a car for weekends and no family so no worries in that front. We do enjoy visiting Norfolk so the eastern side works better for the M11.

I think I just need to get my head around not being as central, really. I definitely do want the green space to be right outside our door so that our toddler can access it easily, learn to ride bike etc. I'm thinking that either Blackheath or the western side of the park could be best as then we can still access the DLR and feel a bit more connected, than say Royal Standard. The other benefit of the western side is that you are in between Blackheath and Greenwich village centres.

I think on balance Blackheath trumps Clapham for our needs right now abs looking ahead as a family, but it's a case of growing up a bit and waving goodbye to those late night uber rides home after a night out. Realistically though, I haven't had a night out in town for two years what with Covid and having a baby! I think it's probably a mindset shift and accepting my lifestyle has changed!

I live in Blackheath and have got many taxis home from central London after work or nights out. Why do you think it might be a problem? Although I tend to use the train or tube/bus more now as it’s often quicker. I had the same Blackheath vs Clapham dilemma 30 years ago - and chose Blackheath and have never regretted it.

Clapham is full of 20-somethings in a way that Blackheath isn't which changes the dynamic on a weekend and evenings.

Not Clapham with a young family! The high street is awful, I used to see people urinating in the street in broad daylight! I think if you’re used to Hackney then Clapham would feel very far out (I lived in Dalston and then spent two years just north of Clapham and everything felt like a trek!). I’ve not spent much time in Blackheath, but what I have, I think it’s much more suited to family life.