Postby allyphilly » Mon Apr 20, 2015 8:05 am
Hi, I just realised I still get these emails even though I left Clapham a year and a half ago...but I think it was fortuitous, because I have the BEST recommendation for you!
We loved Clapham when we were there but found it difficult to upgrade from our two bed flat to anything more substantial when i got pregnant with my second child. We started the typical migratory pattern...we looked at East Dulwich (650K doesn't go very far there), realised we couldn't get what we wanted there and started looking at Forest Hill and Honor Oak. Both lovely areas, but there was so much competition for houses from people like us. Eventually, we saw the perfect house on the Dulwich/Crystal Palace borders, and I have to say, we have NEVER looked back. If you don't know about Crystal Palace, you have to visit. It's the most community-oriented place I've ever lived in my life. I loved Clapham but didn't meet many new people organically -- everyone I met was through my NCT group, etc, whereas in CP, I've made so many new friends in a year, I actually can't keep up with my social calendar. People are so friendly, CP park is amazing, Sydenham woods is great, the view are fab (though the hills can be killer), there are lots of great houses more reasonably priced than other parts of London, there's so much to do for kids, the schools are all outstanding/good (and if private is your thing, you're close to all of the Dulwich schools), and it has that diverse/eclectic/creative thing you don't really get in nappy valley. Lots of people in publishing, film, television, etc live around here. Good transport links with three train lines going through here (gipsy hill, cp, and sydenham hill), including the overground. It's just really really great. Take a look! Good luck x
