Grove Park/Lee/Mottingham vs Bromley/Beckenham

[confusedfirsttimebuyer]

Hello Mumsnet community,
I have been going through the where to live in south east London/Bromley threads for a while now but I thought I would get some more upto date opinions from you all.

I am looking to purchase my first home in either Grove Park/Lee/Mottingham or Bromley/Beckenham after years of living in Islington

I am looking for a 3/4 bed house ideally a semi and close to good primary schools as I have a 3 year old daughter.
Of the areas listed where would you prefer to live - I work in London so transport links are also important to me
Max Budget is 750-775

Thanks in advance

The second one is a lovely house I am going to try and get in this weekend

Do you know Lee well? - there are some beautifully done houses for sale atm

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/143126450

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/141948128

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/140690369

I have spent a a bit of of time in beckenham when we first visited we loved it but didn't love the style of the house that much available within our budget

Location location or space the 700k question

Lee is a bit nothingy, not much there, saddled between some other nice places.

My DSis lives in Hither Green and loves it.

All of those Lee properties are in a nice area, Crathie Rd is the closest to the station and main shops, Colfes leisure centre. Jevington Way is nice but a bit cut off. Not much very local cafe culture to any of those listed but you can walk to Lee and on to Blackheath. There are some annoying low traffic neighbourhood cut off roads which divert traffic on to the main roads in Lee so the south circular can be a bit snarled up if you drive.

Have you tried looking around the Manor Park/Hither Green area? Well connected at Hither Green station and for Lee station and a nice little community closer to the shops. Secondary schools might be an issue, I'm not sure.

Only problem with Honor Oak is there isn't much there in the way of shops/bars, etc. Forest Hill is much better for these things though the fact the South Circular goes right through the middle is a bit of pain traffic wise.

If you need to consider secondaries I'd recommend Chislehurst / Bromley North / Sundridge park for catchment for Bullers boys and girls

@KievLoverTwo ,sorry thought I was replying directly to your message with suggested houses ( Baring road etc). There are some really lovely 30's semi in Lee ( with great gardens) and great Victorian terraces in Hither Green. For travel I would stay close to Lee and Hither Green stations ( quick journeys into London Bridge/Charing Cross), and also go look at the local schools ( which are good).

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/143129087#/?channel=REShttps://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/143114567#/?channel=RES_BUY_BUYhttps://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/86372697#/?channel=RES_BUY
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/142548425#/?channel=RES_BUY

Lee is great and a doddle to London Bridge on the train, plus near to Blackheath and Greenwich

If you liked Beckenham then I'd suggest you extend your search to the Catford side of Hither Green as well as Ladywell and Brockley. Train connections are good, so are all the primary schools and those areas have much more of a centre to them than near the Lee houses you've linked to. It will be harder if you're set on a semi rather than a terrace though.

I definitely second this!
Transport links are great and easy access to the London Overground, too.
Bromley High St is 3 stops on the train from Kent House.
Great parks near by.
Love both Beckenham and Penge High Streets - they have different vibes but are walking distance.
Cinema, leisure centre and two libraries in walking distance, too.
Super community spirit (amazing street parties) and not sleepy suburbia.

Good luck!