Thinking of moving to South Brixton – looking for local opinion

[silverleaf06]

Hi everyone,

I'm in the process of buying a property on Railton Rd. The purchase is part of a fairly long chain, so I'm not even sure it'll complete, but this is the area we're hoping to move to. My questions are really about the neighbourhood rather than this particular property.

A couple of things I'd love to hear from people who know the area:

1. How noticeable is the railway noise?

To be honest, I'm not overly concerned, as much of Zone 2 in South London is already under the Heathrow flight path. I'm more interested in whether the trains become background noise after a while or if they're particularly disruptive.

1. How safe is the walk from Brixton Tube station to Railton Rd, especially along Atlantic Road near Coldharbour Lane?

Whenever I've been there in the evenings, I've often seen groups of teenagers or xxx gathering around outside some of the shops. I've even been approached once and asked for money. At the same time, there are plenty of busy and expensive restaurants and popular pubs on the same street, and everyone seems to coexist without any issues. I can't tell whether I'm being overly cautious or whether that's just part of Brixton's character.

One of the things attracting us is the transport links—Brixton is incredibly well connected—but I'm trying to get a realistic picture of what day-to-day life is like.
For context, we currently live in Dulwich, which we absolutely love. Unfortunately, we'll probably need to move because we're tired of travelling from Dulwich into central London every day.

I'd really appreciate any honest opinions from people who live nearby or know the area well. Thanks in advance!

Well Coldharbour Lane has changed a lot over the last few decades but if you are used to Dulwich I think you may find it a bit different.

I’ve lived near a train line in London and didn’t find it that noticeable but there were trees and the maybe 4 trains an hour.

I used to live in Dulwich and know it encompasses quite an area. A busy railway line ran at the bottom of my garden and it just faded into the background.
I knew the South Brixton area well.
The thing I don't get is why the commuting issue is so crucial that you'd swop Dulwich for Brixton, you won't gain that much time.
What's your nearest railway station at the moment - is it a bit of a walk?

railton Road is a great area - lucky you!

Are you going to be backing directly onto the railway line? I don't think any of Railton Road really does until you get into Herne Hill so tbh that wouldn't even cross my mind. We live on a railway line (other side of the road, but no houses on the railway side) and it really is just background noise even with single glazing. The only time it is annoying is when they get the angle-grinders out at 4am to do overnight works, but that is only a couple of times a year or so.

I've lived in the Brixton area for the last 25 years and I've never felt unsafe in central Brixton - it's just so busy and I would happily walk down those bits of Atlantic Road to meet friends or get back to the tube. Friends who have lived in central Brixton (I don't know how far up Railton Rd you'll be) have had various issues with anti-social behaviour - mainly people pissing in doorways and stuff like that - but generally loved living there but it is pretty full on. Railton Rd is a great location though as you are basically halfway between Brixton and Herne Hill which is a very different vibe!

I'm also slightly confused which bit of Dulwich you are in that you are tired of commuting into central London everyday to the extent that you want to move.

Atlantic Road is probably my main concern, as there always seems to be some sort of gathering opposite OSR or Republic Barbershop. I'm not sure how much of an issue it actually is, so it's reassuring to hear that you've always felt safe there.
We currently live by Peckham Rye Park, which we absolutely love. Originally it was just the two of us, so the commute wasn't easy a big deal. But now our child will be starting school in Pimlico, so we're looking along the Victoria line to make the journey easier

It also depends on who you are, a 45 yr old woman will likely feel safer than a 14 yr old boy as you are less likely to get mugged for your phone etc.

I have family living on Brixton. I personally would not walk from the tube station to Railton Road at night. There are always young people about at all times of night.

Brixton tube station has become more and more of a crack hang out central.

In all of my time coming and going into Brixton, I would never consider walking up Railton Road at night.

Is Camberwell not an option. The buses are brilliant and very safe.

Not sure I’d move from Dulwich to Brixton with a small child tbh. Feels very much the wrong direction at that stage but that’s just me.

I go down Railton Rd multiple times a week and it’s certainly loud and full of people drinking/smoking but it’s so busy I don’t think it’s unsafe just maybe at times a bit uncomfortable for a younger woman.

But as I said, I wouldn’t choose to live there to be blunt and I’ve lived in South London for 20+ years.

I live just off Railton Rd. Great connections, local amenities etc but I agree with pp that it’s the wrong direction to be moving if you’ve got a young child. If the school’s in Pimlico does a mainline train to Victoria then a walk work? That opens up lots more options like Herne Hill which are a bit leafier

Also re another pp I I would not say that Camberwell is safer than the Railton rd part of Brixton, I know two people who’ve been mugged in the former, none in the latter. Anecdotal I know but would never recommend Camberwell if safety were a concern.

"Near Peckham Rye Park" is not Dulwich, hence my confusion about your commute issues. Possibly East Dulwich by the skin of its teeth.

This explains why you want to move to be nearer the Victoria line and plumped for Railton Road. Try the end of Railton Road nearer Herne Hill Station.

I used to live nearby. The transport links in Brixton are superb but I agree with others that, with a small child, moving from where you are now doesn't seem a great move. I didn't feel safe on Railton Road or nearby, in contrast to the much busier Brixton Hill and Coldharbour Lane. I've also lived in other areas of London where there was a train station but no tube and it always felt like a pain in the arse.

Have you looked at roads closer to Brixton Hill such as Mervan Road and around there?

"Near Peckham Rye Park" is not Dulwich, hence my confusion about your commute issues. Possibly East Dulwich by the skin of its teeth.

Peckham Rye Road is on the Dulwich Border.

Lived very near Brixton for the last 30 odd years. I've never felt unsafe, everyone seems to rub along together. But it's very different to Dulwich (even East Dulwich).

I too would question Peckham Rye as Dulwich but it’s not relevant.

Move to the Herne Hill end of Railton Road then you’ve trains to Victoria several times an hour. Also buses that are a 10 min journey to the tube.

I have a flat in Brixton Hill, and honestly, I don’t like the prison-like feel of the area. Mervan Road doesn’t feel much different from Railton Road, it’s a street full of HMOs.

Despite West Dulwich being regarded by many people from other areas as the heart of Dulwich, I honestly don’t like it there at all. I live near Lordship Lane, but if you don’t consider that East Dulwich, then feel free to say I live in Peckham.
Thank you for your advice. Finding a house isn’t easy, so I’ll keep looking. In any case, the chain is quite long, and I’m not under any pressure to buy.

What are the differences? Do the teenagers hanging around ever bother you, or have they caused you any trouble?

I love Brixton but this doesn't sound like the right house for you/your DC at this stage, esp given the long chain, but because of all the other factors too. Have you looked further in around Kennington/Oval/Vauxhall? Then it's just over the river to Pimlico and there are some affordable homes depending on what compromises you'd make. I'd rather be safer and closer to the DC school in perhaps a smaller house than be further out with all the compromises on the house you're looking at.

If you've got a choice i would not chose to move to bring up kids in an area with a lot of young teens hanging about.

When yours grows up a bit they'll be wanting to join them !

I’ve been looking around Kennington, Oval and Vauxhall, but I haven’t found anything decent within my budget. There also seem to be a lot of council blocks. I’m not saying the people there aren’t nice, but once, when I was walking past a very nice-looking council development, three guys, each carrying a small shoulder bag, started following me. I was absolutely terrified, and there was no one nearby I could ask for help.
Brixton look dangerous, but at least there are people around everywhere, 24 hours a day.
I’m not worried that my son will join the local teenagers, as he has his own circle of friends