Balham: even during peak hour (8 to 8:30) you can get on the first train 90% of the time. No seats, standing only, and will be squashed, but at least not against the doors, and probably 50% chance of a seat come Stockwell when many get off.

Clapham South: 25% chance to get on the first train between 8am and 8:30am, otherwise its usually 3 or 4 trains wait. Any other time you can get on the first train. Really squashed. Probably 10% chance of getting a seat at Stockwell, 30% at Kennington.

Clapham Common and North: avoid anytime between 7:45 and 8:45, you are not getting on unless you are thick skinned and push real hard.

@malixp i don't know balham so well but from Clapham South at the earlier times you can shove your way on after a train or two normally. Later on you can squeeze in - from 8.45 it gets quieter. 
@lukewd i normally only have to catch the earlier trains from Clapham South occasionally. You are fine after 8.30/8.45. If you have the time/inclination and depending on where you end up,  i like to walk to Stockwell/Brixton and jump straight on the Victoria. Gets a few steps on the pedometer...

I would say from limited experience of using the tube at that time that you will be fine. It seems to get significantly quieter from around 8.45 onwards.
 

Im afraid I don’t know but you’ve since had a good response. The closer to Balham, the better as if something goes wrong you have the overland.

Hello, we are also looking to move in the ares and I also so have a similar question about getting on the tube at Balham station. I understand that you will be in any case standing and squashed until Stockwell station at least, but How long must one wait on the platform to get on a tube if you are taking the tube at 7.15 / 8 or 8.45 ? 
many thanks 

After 9 things are calming down, by 9.30 things are pretty good. You won't get a seat at either time, unless you are very lucky, but from 9am should get on a tube pretty much straight away - at worse waiting for the second one on the platform.

Only if there were delays earlier in the morning will you have a problem and that's v rare these days. Most probs still caused by sheer volume of people rather than anything technical.

Ok very interesting. Thanks for your response. Sounds like things might have improved a bit.

We're looking at a house near Clapham South station, so I understand this is still going to be pretty congested and likely to stand the whole way, which is fine.

Based on previous comments, I was starting to get the impression you wouldn't even be able to get on a tube during peak hours? Is that still the case?

Also, we both have flexibility to start work at 10am, which would be being at Clapham South tube station at 09:30, is it still rammed at that time? When do things start to ease off?

I think it depends on where you live. If you live near Morden or South Wimbledon then you will get a seat, avoiding having to stand for the journey. Any further up, then you will almost always stand. I find it pretty reliable now though, although I only use it three days a week. Having spent 15 years enduring standing up from Clapham, I’m loving living further away!!

I'm considering moving in to the area but I've heard terrible things about the Northern Line. Both my wife and I would have to use it to get to work, so I was hoping for a situation update from any of you please.

Have things improved over the last year or two? Any improvements in sight?

Thanks,
Luke

There were delays on the overland this morning via Clapham junction so might have meant people using underground who wouldn’t normally do so. Wimbledon was chocca at 7:20. Sometimes have to wonder why we do it all!!

Just thought to update from my initial post - it’s no better, if anything, worse. I’ve not seen it this bad in my 18yrs in London and in SW London. Queues streaming out of Clapham South station this morning when London is generally quieter as people have started taking holiday over Easter.

Yes, companies ought to be more flexible with working from home and at the very least - giving some flexibility on arrival/departure times. In some cities, companies grant their employees public transport vouchers (which I believe are purchased from the government at some reduced rate to encourage use of public transport). Maybe TFL could consider offering deals for travel during slightly off-peak hours to large companies. It seems the infrastructure and capacity is quite good, it's just a supply/demand peaking problem at certain times and it seems like we need a way to make a win for the companies (who may need some financial incentive to provide additional flexibility), the commuters who need breathing room, and TFL who needs to continue to make money to further invest in the infrastructure and staff.

And, as long as companies insist that people are in the office all the time it will continue. Would be good if more companies gave employees the option of working from home - not only would it ease congestion but it would save people hours per day in commuting time, money and remove large sources of stress and irritation. It's definitely much worse than it used to be.

I agree. I don't think the frequency of the trains is the issue. Unless there's an incident they are usually every 1-2 minutes during peak time. The problem is the sheer volume of people.

It's vile... but I really don't know what the answer is as trains come in regularly. They're just packed! I only have to commute twice a week thank God but it's so awful at Tooting Bec that I now go south first to South Wimbledon then back up so that I can get a seat and am not crammed in. The interchange at Stockwell is such a joke for crowding that in the evenings I often get off and use the 155 bus to get home. It's dire. But as I said, not sure how it could be improved as the frequency of the trains is probably as good as it can get!