Making the move from North to South London

westernpromise

johannalf88 wrote: »

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.

I always treasure this sort of claim, like you can leave home at 8:45 and be at work by 9.

It’s not 15 mins to London Bridge at all of course. First, unless you live in a tent on the platform, you have to get to the train station. Then you have to wait for a train, and we’re not talking one every 2 minutes like the tube; we’re talking trains so 19th-century in frequency that they still have a timetable. After waiting for one you can actually fight your way onto, your “15 minutes” takes you to the platform at London Bridge - at which point you’re still not even half way there. You’re still south of the river. So you’re still in north Croydon, in effect, and only now have you reached what is the start of a proper Londoner’s commute.

So after pushing past Jenny Agutter wailing “Daddy! My daddy!”, you’ve now got another walk to another platform, the Tube this time, followed by a Tube journey that will take you into London proper.

Approximately nobody actually works at London Bridge, so how long it takes to get to this arbitrary point in the middle of nowhere is so irrelevant I don’t know why it’s coming up. I come in from Highgateish and work at Bankish but I don’t bang on about how it’s only 10 minutes to Tufnell Park!

Bladiohead

bouicca21 wrote: »

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.

Thanks Bouicca. I've heard the fireworks are good. I will definitely check out the surrounding areas, though probably won't go too far out as we don't want too long a commute.

hazyjo

Have moved from south to north London.


Have also lived in Blackheath


Absolutely loved both areas. Blackheath (SE3) is still one of my faves. Bought my first flat there in 1991 - had to sell when me & the BF split up and I moved to Westcombe Park (Also either SE3 / SE10).


Cator Estate always had a nice reputation. Dead quiet and desirable. Lots of 'different' houses there (a lot called 'span').


I imagine if you're heading back to Camden, it'll be by train anyway. Change at Lon Bridge - easy.


Much prefer trains to tubes. Have never lived on a tube line since buying my own house - prob thanks to Blackheath! If the train line is down, you can get a bus to Westcombe Park on the Greenwich Line. In fact, during horrendous train strikes one summer, I walked from Blackheath to Island Gardens through Greenwich Park! Took forever but was a lovely start to the morning!


There is a tube at North Greenwich so you can always get a cab from there if you ever did need to be on a tube (really can't see why though - I did it once back from a gig, but that was about it). Also New Cross, or the DLR from Lewisham or Greenwich.


If you will need to drive from south to north, forget it at night. I moved back north (from Eltham at that time) as all my friends and family are that side of the water and driving back at night was hell. They are ALWAYS doing work on the Blackwall Tunnel or closing it completely one way. It would take me hours to get back sometimes, and I often didn't bother and went via the Dartford crossing.


I also used to walk down the end of my road to watch the Marathon go past The fireworks were always impressive, and they have a festival every year now too. I think Madness played there last year.


Easy to just jump on a bus to Greenwich, or walk to the park. It's a fabulous area and I wish I was still there!


The house is what I'd call 'fine'. It's not a looker, it's practical, it's in a lovely area - wouldn't put me off.


Good luck


Jx

hazyjo

PS where do you need to get to for work? Which stations?

Bladiohead

joeistheone wrote: »

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.

A quick Google of southeastern almost put me off! I'm sure you get used to it, though. The lack of tube is one of me main worries, but both of us could walk from either Charing Cross or Victoria, so I suppose being able to get an overground only ticket (as others have suggested) would be good

Upsidedown_Bear

Bladiohead wrote: »

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

Link here if anyone wants to look/can comment
http://www.jdmestateagents.com/Property/Residential/for-sale/Blackheath/Medebourne-Close/101801020991.aspx

Bladiohead

westernpromise wrote: »

I always treasure this sort of claim, like you can leave home at 8:45 and be at work by 9.

It’s not 15 mins to London Bridge at all of course. First, unless you live in a tent on the platform, you have to get to the train station. Then you have to wait for a train, and we’re not talking one every 2 minutes like the tube; we’re talking trains so 19th-century in frequency that they still have a timetable. After waiting for one you can actually fight your way onto, your “15 minutes” takes you to the platform at London Bridge - at which point you’re still not even half way there. You’re still south of the river. So you’re still in north Croydon, in effect, and only now have you reached what is the start of a proper Londoner’s commute.

So after pushing past Jenny Agutter wailing “Daddy! My daddy!”, you’ve now got another walk to another platform, the Tube this time, followed by a Tube journey that will take you into London proper.

Approximately nobody actually works at London Bridge, so how long it takes to get to this arbitrary point in the middle of nowhere is so irrelevant I don’t know why it’s coming up. I come in from Highgateish and work at Bankish but I don’t bang on about how it’s only 10 minutes to Tufnell Park!

Literally crying with laughter at this. I guess it depends on what our priorities are and commute is probably dropping down the list behind space, garden, and good schools.

t0rt0ise

Bladiohead wrote: »

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?

Shudder!!!

Bladiohead

Thanks hazyjo. That's really useful info. You should write those area guides the Estate Agents seem to love! Sounds like you've experienced lots of different parts too. Which is your favourite?

hazyjo

Bladiohead wrote: »

Thanks hazyjo. That's really useful info. You should write those area guides the Estate Agents seem to love! Sounds like you've experienced lots of different parts too. Which is your favourite?

lol I am property-obsessed Spent hours looking at Norfolk properties the other day, as you do. Nearly bought in Tunbridge Wells before which I wish I'd live in, and next move will be Leigh-on-Sea.


Have lived in:


Chigwell, Blackheath SE3, Westcombe Park SE10, Eltham SE9 (twice), Highams Park E4, Brentwood, and Chingford E4. Loved Blackheath the most, Westcombe Park second, Brentwood the least (bad memories).


Know lots of surrounding areas too (especially near Chigwell & Chingford).


Jx