Making the move from North to South London

Bladiohead

Hi everyone. Long term user of MSE and the forum, but first time poster and I thought it might be a good place to get some advice.

I'm curious to know, has anyone made the move from North to South London and [STRIKE]lived to tell the tale[/STRIKE] never looked back? Even better if it was South East London you went to.

We currently live in a two bed flat in Camden, but with baby number 2 on the way need to find somewhere bigger. With the equity we've got (had a couple of valuations done) we've worked out a max budget of £600k. Around here we'd probably be looking at 3 bed flats but we'd love to get a house with a garden so are considering moving out of the area we love.

We went down to Blackheath to watch the marathon start as a friend was running. Looking in a couple of estate agent windows I was surprised to see a couple of houses within our budget, in decent condition too judging by the photos. I don't know much about the area but it seemed nice and the commute looks doable too, even though I'd miss the convenience of the tube (We both work in central London). We know our next move needs to consider schools and it seems there are some decent rated ones (based on checking Rightmove school checker!).

Being a North Londoner, I've never previously considered moving south of the river but, given you can get so much more for your money, it seems like we should seriously think about it. We have family in Kent so South East London would probably be where we'd start looking, perhaps around Blackheath.

So, has anyone made the move and what were their experiences?

Thanks!

P.s. I was going to post an example of what I was looking at, in case anyone has any comments on the specific area, but as I'm new and can't post links it's on the Cator Estate if that means anything to anyone. Looks like the houses I saw are both ex council but apparently it's a gated estate full of big houses mainly, and I'm not put off by ex council as I think you get more for your money. Not wishing to advertise for the agent so I've made a short url of one in case anyone knows the area and can comment more specifically: goo.gl/0tDzM1

bouicca21

Only Londoners understand just how difficult it is to cross the river. I moved from northwest London to south east several decades ago, once done it really wasn't that big a deal.

The Cator estate is very nice, even the ex council bits. And of course Blackheath fireworks are the best! But try expanding your knowledge of areas south of the river before making a final decision. Areas worth looking at include Greenwich, Hither Green, forest Hill, Honor Oak, Nunhead. If you want to go a bit further out look at Bromley Hayes and Beckenham. Almost anywhere on the crossrail route is going to rocket in price still further in the next couple of years.

Timpu

Moved to South London having been born and raised in North London. Main difference was the North was somehow easier to travel around. I think the North has a better distribution of tube stations and the North Circular knocks the pants off the awful South Circ.

dc197

I moved from black to white, day to night, chalk to cheese.
I moved from South Kensington to Brixton 15 years ago. Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea to Laaaambeff.

Other than the stigma or mental block or snobbish barrier or whatever you want to call it, there's nothing to it.

suki1964

My nieces and nephews were amused to see we had front gardens and grass verges in south London ( them living in Notting hill and all that )


You will be surprised we even speak the same language this side of the river ( albeit maybe not as posh like ) but hey we have Surrey our side

joeistheone

I don't think you can compare North London v South London as it all depends on the particular area. The key difference you'll notice is lack of tube (especially Blackheath and surrounding areas which are served by Southeastern which often isn't great) if you commute using public transport. Plus side, Blackheath is fairly leafy (as city living goes) and nice.

johannalf88

Blackheath is lovely! We moved from Oxford to blackheath about 6 years ago, then down to Greenwich because we needed a bigger place. We have been priced out of the area, so just exchanged on a house in chislehurst. I can honestly say blackheath over Camden any time! I would move back in a heartbeat if I had that amount of money. I work in Camden and while the lock is nice in the summer, and it's easy access to Regent's Park, it's just so busy and smells of car fumes! Blackheath is a lot quieter than Camden, and even Greenwich, as it's not on the tourists radar, however still only 15 mins to LB. As for the Cator Estate, I always wanted to live there. My husband did some tutoring for a friend of a friend there, said the house was immaculate! I also wouldn't worry about any ex-council in Blackheath. Also When the riots where happening in Lewisham, Deptford, Kidbrooke & Woolwich they just went straight through Blackheath, I imagine they couldn't do much damage with a baguette from 'home made food'.!

johannalf88

Where central do you work? It may also save you some money as you can get a national rail ticket to Cannon Street etc instead of TFL (£25.20 a week). We started cycling to work though, if you go through Greenwich park and then along the Thames path you only hit the road again at LB.

Out,_Vile_Jelly

I've only ever lived in South London; that's just how jobs and early house shares worked out for me. There are posh bits and rough bits in a patchwork all over the London compass.

There is less Tube coverage in the south obviously, but that is compensated by the overland national rail links. From East Croydon you can get to Victoria and London Bridge in 15 mins for example.

stonehedge

Just moving back to Blackheath after dipping our toes into Pimlico, Borough and Barnes.

Can't imagine how Camden could compete.

westernpromise

South London isn't really London at all. It's just north Croydon.

If I had your budget I'd be looking in Finchley. You get 3 to 4 bedrooms for that money there, eg:
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-32156166.html