Streatham / Streatham Hill Post Reply

[balhamnewmum]

Hi there
Just wanted to see what general thoughts are on the above areas for a young family (3year old and 11 month old)??

we have lived in balham now for the last 7 years and love it, however looking at moving to the "family" home and seems a little more affordable round streatham/streatham hill area..... However I don't really know the areas at all.

My son is at nursery in balham and i love the fact that I can just walk him to nursery, obviously if we move then am probably going to have to drive, unless I am über organised and leave 45 mins to walk!

Would be really grateful if anyone can give me any advice on a particular area - Telford estate for example, have heard its nice but other than that not much more....

Thank you!

[BL99]

Hi,

After living in Balham for five years, we moved to Streatham Hill two and a half years ago. I personally think it's a great area for young families with the park nearby, lots of local activities for the kids and a great sense of community on the Streatham Mums Facebook page. You do get a lot more house for your money and there are quite a few good nurseries in this area too. It's true that the high road is not the prettiest of places, but it's improving all the time with new restaurants and shops. I still do most of my shopping in Balham, but I like the walk through the park. Please PM me if you have any more specific questions.

[Beautifuldays]

Hi,

My advice is - GO FOR IT!

We've been in Streatham Common now since September, and are loving it.

Previously we were in Fulham, then Wandsworth Common, stunning road, right next to the common in a gorgeous flat. But we simply couldn't afford to buy a house there. We were very nervous about moving to Streatham (but had some friends here who encouraged us) - but we are so pleased we did.

We have a great big house, our son is at the best nursery I've ever viewed (saw about 8 and ended up sending him to a really expensive one in fulham for a bit until we moved to Streatham and the commute became ludicrous) and I'm really growing fond of the area. Initially we only looked in Furzedown and Streatham Hill - but realised we could get an even bigger house in Streatham Common and feel confident we'll make money as the new leisure centre and shops go up etc. We see it improving all the time.

Aside from the lovely big house and garden, it's obviously not as smart as where we were before (eg on our road in Wandsworth you never saw litter, where as now I have to say we do) but I've never felt threatened or nervous (which I was worried I would) and I'm actually growing really fond of it. I find everyone really friendly.

We've got our sons down for some prep schools in Dulwich - not too far away at all - and Balham. And are also keeping an eye on our little local church school which seems to be improving all the time.

If I was you I'd definitely go for it. (Telford is gorgeous! As is Furzedown - athough transport links weren't great for my husband.) The extra space for us and my little boy has literally revolutionised our lives!

Good luck with whatever you decide!

[balhamnewmum]

Thank you both so much for your replies.
Definitely worth a proper look by the sounds of it!

[Beautifuldays]

A wise decision! Go and have lunch at the Manor Arms on a Sunday (manic - so book!). It will calm all your fears about whether Streatham is good for children. Giles Coren (who has young kids) wrote an article about how brilliant it is and it's won loads of prizes for it's family friendliness! http://www.themanorarms.com
If you decide Streatham might be for you - message me and I'll tell you which nursery my little boy is at. It's AMAZING!

[balhamwilbur]

We moved from Balham to Streatham Common/Norwood border last summer, coinciding with my son's move to secondary school in Dulwich. Our house and garden are completely different from the semi we moved from and the garden especially is far bigger. It has taken a while to get used to not having the tube nearby, but that is the only regret we have. Our road in Balham was very noisy and we are now in a very quiet spot close to Streatham Common, which is glorious. The woodland at the top, and the Rookery formal garden is amazing and great for kids. There are 2 new leisure centres being built round here - one in Streatham and one in West Norwood, state primaries and secondaries seem to be improving by the minute (check out Dunraven School's new buildings) and there are fast trains to Victoria, London Bridge, Blackfriars. It takes 25 mins for me to get to Farringdon on the Thameslink train from Streatham for work, far quicker than using the tube from Balham. We're gradually getting to know which bits of the high road are worth a visit, but to be honest, we rarely need to drive down it, as there are so many better ways to get across the area. Hope you find the right place for you.

[highlandfling]

I've lived in Streatham for fifteen years and am now bringing up my two young boys here. I think the major reason that the area has a bad name is because most people's experience of Streatham involves driving along the High Road. Lambeth Council are currently carrying out improvement works along it and there are also some really good places to eat (Bocca, Boyce de Roca, Beyrouth's, Pratts & Payne, Bravi Ragazzi, etc). There's also a very cool jazz club called the Hideway. The period housing stock is fantastic (if that's your thing) and the new Hub development means new swimming pools and ice skating arena. Oh and there are two lovely commons to choose from: Tooting and Streatham. Transport is great with three train stations to choose from as well as every bus number you could ever imagine travelling along the High Road.

If i had to talk about a down side I would say the litter and dog mess need to be sorted out (dog owners: if you want to own a dog, pick up after it). Hope that helps!

[Octavia]

Hi beautifuldays - i would be very interested to hear which nursery your little one goes to - I need to start looking at places in Streatham and any insider knowledge would be great! Many thanks.

[Tillyjimjams]

Hi there
We moved from Between the Commons to Telford Park last year and we have never looked back. We have a much bigger garden, off street parking and most importantly there is the most amazing community feel. We know our neighbours, we talk to them( we didn't so much before!!), socialise with them and there is a Residents Assosciation which puts on events for adults and children.

I have to say that Streatham High Road is no Northcote Road but I am slowly getting used to it...

My daugther is at the Park SW2 Nursery which is in the Telford Tennis Club and has the most amazing outside space, she loves it!!

I would definitely recommend the area as I would The Manor Arms, its so family friendly and great food.

Good luck with your move

[Stan the tileman]

Here's David Harewood's rationale for living in Streatham...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/apr/2 ... d-harewood

Stan the Tileman

[Dachshundsrule11]

We have lived in Telford Park/Streatham Hill for nine years now having moved from Earlsfield. We love it here, transport is brilliant, there is a bus garage at the end of Telford Avenue, over ground Train station at Streatham Hill and Brixton tube station (Victoria line) a 5/10 minute bus journey away or a walk down to Balham. The houses have a bigger gardens, hallways, some off street parking but no residents parking. There is a great residents association over four streets, Criffel Avenue, Killiser Avenue, Telford Avenue and Kirkstall road. Lots of nursery schools around, Telford park tennis club and Tooting Common a couple of streets away. All in all it is a lovely community.
Good luck where ever you choose to live.

[balhamnewmum]

Thank you all for your fab responses.

[crayons]

We've just moved to S HIll from Balham and have not looked back since! Love it here and the community is extremely welcoming

[boonkoh]

I live in the Telford Park area, and have to say that its incredibly tranquil and residential, and pretty safe too. The only gripes is that retail on Streatham Hill is nowhere as nice as Balham, but then if you ever need Balham its a short walk/cycle/drive away.

Streatham Hill is improving - Perfect Blend is an amazing place for food and drinks, and then there's that tapas place further down the road and the polish deli with a wide variety.

There is an eyesore of that Megabowl building on the high street, which has been on the redevelopment agenda for ages. Planning has been granted I think for shops and smart apartments above, but I think the developers are finding it difficult to raise money. When it comes up though, it will really boost the high street, as it does dominate the immediate area.

[susansw11]

Hi Ladies,

We too, are considering moving to Streatham from Between the (Clapham & Wandsworth) Commons. We are bit nervous. Have kids at Belleville in reception and year 1. Wondering how the state funded schools are in SW16.

Any encouragement or advice is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!