East Dulwich! Forest Hill! Sydenham! Where to live?

[*Bob*]

There does seem to have been an influx of Nunheaders on the forum of late, all shouting the odds in an "I live in Nunhead, yeah, so what?" kinda way.

[Alan Dale]

You have to admire them.

Cool place.

[Spangles30]

Yes Bob you're right. Why do people take it so personally if you don't like their area? Frankly, I couldn't give a toss if people hate where I live.

Alan Dale, I take it the 'cool place' tag was stated with tongue firmly in cheek.

[*Bob*]

I dunno, Spangles. Chip on their shoulder?

[Spangles30]

Yes I guess so Bob. I have noticed that those who live in Nunhead are terribly defensive about their neck of the woods. It's quite funny really. I would like a Nunhead resident to explain why they get so uppity when someone insinuates that they don't like it there. Afterall, one cannot like everywhere...

[Alan Dale]

No it wasn't.

Where do you live Spangles?

[Ganapati]

Not sure how you got defensiveness or hostility from my "What's wrong with Nunhead?" question. It was actually asked in a curious way. Of course Nunhead has its pros and cons. And the reason why there seems to be a lot of Nunheaders on here, is that so many have moved from ED, or gasp, Battersea and Clapham!

[Spangles30]

I live in East Dulwich as I have already explained, Alan Dale. Pray why do you ask?! :)

[Spangles30]

Ganapati, wow I am SO impressed that Nunhead is getting people 'from' Clapham and Battersea living there. It MUST be on the up then. Estate agents tend to say that about ED (as if it's a selling point) which for me it is most definitely NOT.

[Ganapati]

Spangles--my neighbours moved from Battersea. You don't have to like Nunhead, it's fine. Was just curious.

[Alan Dale]

Spangles30 Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I live in East Dulwich as I have already

> explained, Alan Dale. Pray why do you ask?! :)

The good bit or the shit bit?

[*Bob*]

Alan Dale Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Spangles30 Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> > I live in East Dulwich as I have already

> > explained, Alan Dale. Pray why do you ask?! :)

>

> The good bit or the shit bit?

Ha Ha!

Alan.. Please detail the boundaries of 'the shit bit' for one and all so that a lively debate can ensue..

[Keef]

Yeah come on Alan, this ought to be great!

[Spangles30]

Yes I am keen to know if it's the 'shit bit' I live in!!! Yay! Is that the bit where people from Clapham and Battersea DON'T come?

Ganapati, that's OK. Didn't really mean that you were being defensive; some have been that's all. You haven't. I didn't say you had!

[Alan Dale]

You live there. You tell us.

[Spangles30]

I take it that's directed at me? Do you want to know the road I live on? I live on one of the roads off Northcross Rd in a tiny house. Is that the shit bit?

[*Bob*]

I should think you're well in the clear there, Spangles.

But.. Assuming Alan has merely gone home and not wussed-out on us, we shall hopefully find-out exactly where 'the shit bit' is tomorrow. Looking forward to it.

[Spangles30]

Perhaps he means that the bit near the Dulwich library is the 'good bit'. Certainly the houses are bigger and grander...and it's slightly less urban. Yes Bob, I too am looking forward to finding out which are the 'good' and 'sh@t' bits of East Dulwich. I won't be remotely offended if it's my bit. Honest.

[SeanMacGabhann]

My guess is that Alan has the bits between the Mag and the Library as the shit bit (ie my bit) but I dare say I'll sleep at night

[sillywoman]

What about the bit near EDH? I really hope we're sh*t, although there's a definite Clapham/ Battersea type creeping in. Is it really true that their sh*t smells sweeter?

[Spangles30]

I take it we will not be finding out the good and sh@t bits of ED. Oh well. Sillywoman, do you really have to ask that question?! The answer is of course an unequivocal YES.

I am still in a quandarry about buying that much bigger and nice house in Forest Hill. i would only have to pay stamp duty (bad enough I know) but my legal costs would be covered, and Foxtons aren't charging commission. I guess only I can make that decision.

[suzee]

I realise this thread has gone off-topic a bit but.... I used to rent in ED and loved it. However we moved to Sydenham to a 2-bed flat with little garden just over a year ago. We couldn't afford a similar place in ED (first-time buyers). I do miss ED but am happy in Sydenham. As an earlier post said it certainly is 'up and coming' with a lovely new pub (The Dolphin) and plans for other bars and restaurants. Blue Mountain Cafe are also opening there soon. Don't be fooled that it is as gentrified as ED - it certainly is still rough around the edges - a good mix of all types of people, but it is an affordable alternative to ED (some houses in same league as the big ones around ED). Same for Forest Hill. Oh and you always get a seat at Sydenham station, the trains run later than to ED and still have the pleasure of the 176 at night ;-)

[dulwichflower76]

Hi Spangles30,

I live in Forest Hill, just off Stanstead Rd, nearer the Catford end and at the moment I am looking to sell up and move back to East Dulwich. I don't feel safe in the area, especially travelling home on the bus in the evenings and even walking around.

A friend of mine lives in Sydenham and loves it, she says it's changing for the better and she doesn't plan to move for a while.

Stay in East Dulwich, there is so much more to do and see. It's a buzzing area:))

dulwichflower

[AnotherPaul]

I went throught the same process earlier this year, had a long look at houses in all outlying areas, Nunhead, Forest Hill, Sydenham, Gypsy Hill, Honor Oak and West Norwood. I came to the conclusion that East Dulwich, sh!t bits and all is a far better place to live for the very same reasons Sean gave at the top of this post as well as the some feel good factors.

Cafes, markets and the like may seem extra but take 'em away and you end up with empty streets full of run down shops. I found most of those areas faintly depressing in a way that ED just isn't. Not scientific or necessarily correct, just how I felt.

Hope you make a decision you're happy with.

ap

[Gerrard]

I have to agree with AnotherPaul and others on this. I left the 'Upper East Side' of East Dulwich to live in Sydenham for a couple of years, and then was fortunate to move to the Goose Green area a couple of years ago. Sydenham is not a bad place to live, but I wouldnt buy into this 'up and coming' thing too much. Other than the Dolphin pub, the rest of the main shopping area hasnt changed in years and remains shabby at best. You just do not get that ED vibe and atmosphere anywhere else in the surrounding areas. However, there are some decent properties around the ED outskirts. I drove to the tip in West Dulwich the other day and some of the wide and quiet roads around there are appealing. A tricky one for you Spangles30, but I missed East Dulwich terribly when I moved and will try my best to avoid doing that again.