ED Ten Years From Now...?

[RockyZool]

All,

I am about to buy my first property and am buying it in ED.

I have read lots about ED being the destination for the Clapham Exodus.

Having lived n clapham, I do hope this isn't the case.

I was keen to take your thoughts on how ED has progressed over the last 10 years, but was particularly keen to take views on what we should ED to be like a further 10 years from now.

Will it be able to stave off a McDonalds and continue to function without a bloody Primark, Tk Maxx, KFC etc. In short will ED be able to retain its charm while at the same time continue to rise in terms of value and stock.

Over to you.

[????]

I have read lots about ED being the destination for the Clapham Exodus.

Having lived n clapham, I do hope this isn't the case.

did you writte that with no sense of irony?

[Huguenot]

Hee Hee.

I've no doubt that ED will continue to plough its own furrow, if only because of an obstinate lack of cooperation with outside influences. It's an incredibly energised and proud community.

[ratty]

In ten years time it will no longer exist, having disappeared up it's own arse in September 2016.

[KalamityKel]

oh great then we can start again... hopefully without the snotty, stuck up, pretentious etc persons that have invaded the area in the LAST 10 years ;-)

[ratty]

Checks diary when moved to ED. 11 years ago! Phew!

[computedshorty]

Interesting the people that want to live in East Dulwich, they ask will it stay as it is or get better?

Will they fit in with those already here, or must those already here conform to their requirements?

Why do they want to live here what was wrong with where they lived?

I note the shops they do not want but, who are they to say?

[eddie]

ratty Wrote:

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> In ten years time it will no longer exist, having

> disappeared up it's own arse in September 2016.

My favourite post ever read. Thank you. It had made my day.

[SilverSurfer65]

ratty Wrote:

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> Checks diary when moved to ED. 11 years ago! Phew!

Me too - but make mine 50 years ago. What changes have I (and computedshorty) seen???

[AbDabs]

East Dulwich has changed every year I've been here (too many years to mention). I came because the housing was good (OK, dirt cheap) - the shops were depressing and then they got much much worse (3 butchers to 0). But then everything began to get better. And then it all started to get a bit expensive and I may have to move out (OK, make a fortune on the house and retire by the sea).

People and prices make the place what it is, so when I leave it must lose a tiny bit of its present character(good or bad!).

The more expensive property becomes the more pressure there will be on retail space to make ?/m2 to cover the ever increasing rents. So, if you're hoping to live somewhere with increasing value then you've got to be realistic about retaining that charm. In other words, No, it can't. If you're paying more for your house/flat than the last owner, then you've sent one more invite to Messrs McDonalds/Primark etc.

[LondonMix]

Some areas become more affluent and still retain indie shops and some character. I hope that can be the case here. I also hope people moving here are coming because they like the character of the area and not just because they can't afford to live some place else.

By the way, McDonald's / Primark etc have nothing to do with how affluent an area is! There are loads of them in areas much more affordable than East Dulwich.

[*Bob*]

I'm hoping that - in ten years time - the current crop of moaners will all have moved on, so that the rest of the pleasantly mixed population can enjoy their lives without having to listen to them constantly drone on about how much better things used to be.

Fingers crossed.

[Pugwash]

Having been a life time East Dulwich Resident I have mixed views. In the late 70s and early 80's research by the then GLC found that Alleyn Ward (pre runner to ED Ward) had a high number of people over 65 living in sub standard housing without indoor bathrooms and toilets, Thhe GLC put in ?millions to create the Area Improvement and Modernization Programme (AIM) The first energy proficient houses were developed in Whately Road ( they became HQ to AIM) and local residents representing every street in the ward and the different tenures (i.e. private rented, council, HA, owners)met every couple of months to plan how they wanted ED to look. Every single house was surveyed and grants given for work - guttering, roofing, central heating, bathrooms, pointing etc and for around 3 years ED was being spruced up.

What was even more significant was that a sense of community was emerging as neighbours, who had never spoken, talked about the work being done to their homes, different ages communicates and mixed. ED always had a high 'immigrant' population - people from the Caribbean, Asia, Turkey and Greece - houses having been fairly cheap to buy (Landells Road sold for ?10,500 and you could buy a 4 bed house in Barry Road for under ?17,000) but many found themselves isolated from the indiginous population. A vibrant multi cultural and multi aged community began to emerge and 3 Residents Associations were formed - the Pellatt Area (PARA) North Cross Area (NARA) and Barry Area (BARA) with high numbers of residents in each association each having a senior citizens group. The Alleyn Community Centre ( now ED Community Centre) was obtained from Southwark Council and opening 7 days a week for community events and activities.

Unfortunately, the community spirit to some extent has now been lost, 2 residents association ceased to exsist as people prefered to remain at home and just see their friends or watch TV and were not interested in forming committees and doing voluntary work. Only the BARA remains - and that struggles at times to reinvent the community spirit.

From a poor shopping area - LL has become, to a certain extent, 'overpriced' (?5 for a loaf of bread, ?4.50 for a pot of tea) a reflection to some extent of it's residents. With the debate over Iceland/M & S/Waitrose it is clear that many prefer the higher price market ( agree there are some quality goods at reasonable prices). The good has been the number of restaurants suiting all tastes and pockets - Indian Mischief, Blue Brick Cafe, Swardish, Emily's fish shop and the fact early closing days are virtually non existent. This may reflect current economic state but as a worker, I do appreciate to be able to shop on Sundays. Statutory services such as GP surgeries, schools etc have failed to keep up with the population growth. As I approach retirement, I would like to downsize but still keep my ED roots, but the house prices are so high that I would only gain around ?40.000 by selling my current home and purchasing one half the size. We have a good GP and would want to keep within The Gardens catchment area as both hubby and I have disabilities.

I would hazard to guess that in 10 years time ED will begin to be less prosperous as families move out to more affordable areas with a variety of schooling opportunities - just as the Clapham crowd moved over to ED

[Burbage]

RockyZool Wrote:

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> I was keen to take your thoughts on how ED has

> progressed over the last 10 years, but was

> particularly keen to take views on what we should

> ED to be like a further 10 years from now.

>

Ten years ago, there were skips and removal vans in every street, and the finest crop of estate agent signs between Hampstead and Tonbridge. Now it's just the skips, and none too many of them, either.

In ten years time, whatever the agents may have told you*, ED will boast no underground station, trains will still take 30 minutes to crawl the five miles to Victoria and the Co-Op will still be out of polenta.

*The creativity of agents should not be underestimated. But given there's no online forum for Honor Oak Borders or the Camberwell Gulch, I don't suppose it matters.

[davidh]

we have lived in ed since 1988 and consider it our home forever. when we first arrived it was frankly a bit grotty, but it gradually smartened thank god. happily we retain majority small independent traders, but there are warning signs. I am told the appalling starbucks are in hot pursuit of the slightly puzzling fashion shop next door to the edt. let us hope the proprietor does not have to give in. like most of us, we would love waitrose to replace the frankly grotty co-op.

[minder]

Rocky - ED seems to be functioning but whether that's because there's a McDonalds, Primark, KFC just down the road in Peckham I don't know!

From your post it sounds like a cattle market - "value and stock"?

[edw]

@pugwash: "?5 for a loaf of bread, ?4.50 for a pot of tea"

ORLY?

[dulwichtoo]

Social cleansing now complete - old timers sold out 3 bed terrace now ?1 million up - rents through the roof - a few pockets of old timers remain near the Castle and renamed Vale Pub. Neighbourhhods assocations of the newly wealthy and privileged install independent counillor who represents the views of the privileged wealthy. Pressure to relocate council blocks at Dawson Heights and DKH to outside the area - council comply as rebuilt and remarketed estates highly valuable properties. Secon Waitrose opens in Barry Road and Gary Rhodes opens bsitro in the Grove. Private security patrols check on houses who buy private security insurance. Stella McCartney opens boutique etc etc .

[LadyDeliah]

My alternative view:

The economy continues to free fall. All the media/arty/PR jobs dry up. Formerly comfortable middle-class residents move to cheaper areas. Housing become harder to sell and are split into multi-occupancy flats.

The area declines in value as a result and becomes tougher.

The remaining middle class residents who can afford to, move to more salubrious areas and the area becomes what it used to be. A rough round the edges, working class area.

[Jessie]

I don't think media/arty/PR types are the wealthiest in East Dulwich. Believe me.

[LadyDeliah]

Lol, couldn't think of any other jobs that might end up surplus to requirements after massive economic collapse!

[the-e-dealer]

Yeah I hate people moaning about moaners

*Bob* Wrote:

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

> I'm hoping that - in ten years time - the current

> crop of moaners will all have moved on, so that

> the rest of the pleasantly mixed population can

> enjoy their lives without having to listen to them

> constantly drone on about how much better things

> used to be.

>

> Fingers crossed.

[dulwichtoo]

3 Bed house now ?400k - and an influx of students and arty types priced out of a burgeoning Peckham colonise the newly cheap properties. Graffiti artists attracted by Stik tag many of the end of walls murals and ED is firmly on the edgy tourist map. Home to Londons first legal cannabis cafe , Dulwich Festival and Aquarius festivals go viral.Pete Doherty moves to Melbourne Grove - prices continue to fall as UK catches the Eurozone chill - squatters take over derelict Dulwich baths (closed down in 2013 when swingeing council cuts close all discertionary spends) and we are off on one hell of an alternative ride. Edward Alleys school falls on hard times as previously affluent parents are forced to remove their kids as they suffer in the worst downturn since the Great Depression.

[dulwichtoo]

The riots of 2014 when a lot of dispossed and disenfranchised youths worn down by nearly a decade of depression and in your face displays of aquisitive wealth finally go mental. Edgy areas burn and police abandon whole swathes of inner city which become Londonderry no go areas. Dog Kennel Hill is one such area and the situation becomes so bad that Sainsburies abandon ED and the carpark gives way to new age travellers and joy riding by feral youth. Yuppies out grafiiti reappears and Iceland briefly considers taking over the Sainsbury site - but on second thoughts decides no. Waitrose opens in Peckham and closed in ED due to high levels of dispossed middle class pilfering - gotta make ends meet you know. Hugenot considers retirement and tireing of ignoble fleeting pleasures of the Far East and contemplating his mortality is attracted by falling property prices (he can afford finally to move back to ED)buys a 4 bedder in Crystal Palace road for 350k nearer to the dealers haunt of the Castle and begins a strategic and well thought out fortifcation so he can continue to live and comment in relative peace and security.

ED forum is now a nationwide forum for all sorts (cf Urban 75) and carries prominent advertising for security locks and private security insurance. Boris Johnson is newly elected nationally and has his fisrt sex scandal within a month of taking office.

[LadyDeliah]

And in walks Mad Max.

Lol, I'm stocking up on rice, tuna and crossbows as we speak!