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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Let's move to Forest Hill, south-east London | Let's move to Forest Hill, south-east London |
| (8 days later) | |
| What's going for it? Now that homebuying in London resembles a high-stakes poker game open only to oligarchs, Westminster politicians and international gangsters, there are but a few slivers left for the likes of us anywhere near the centre. All of north and west London's gone. South-west, even Tooting's gone, and Streatham's on the wobble. East and north-east, there's just Walthamstow, maybe Leytonstone. The south-east is the last holdout of the even slightly affordable. | What's going for it? Now that homebuying in London resembles a high-stakes poker game open only to oligarchs, Westminster politicians and international gangsters, there are but a few slivers left for the likes of us anywhere near the centre. All of north and west London's gone. South-west, even Tooting's gone, and Streatham's on the wobble. East and north-east, there's just Walthamstow, maybe Leytonstone. The south-east is the last holdout of the even slightly affordable. |
| Many here have fallen: Brockley, Peckham, Crystal Palace. But Forest Hill is hanging on by its nails. Being quartered by the South Circular and a thundering rail line has kept prices down. Yet away from these slashes you can find leafy streets of keenly priced quality property, great views and gems such as the Horniman Museum, while the arrival of the overground means you can commute to all those places you can't afford. | Many here have fallen: Brockley, Peckham, Crystal Palace. But Forest Hill is hanging on by its nails. Being quartered by the South Circular and a thundering rail line has kept prices down. Yet away from these slashes you can find leafy streets of keenly priced quality property, great views and gems such as the Horniman Museum, while the arrival of the overground means you can commute to all those places you can't afford. |
| The case against The South Circular flows incessantly, and there are quite a few boy-racer routes for those seeking to escape it. The centre, consequently, feels a bit placeless. It can have a gloomy feel, as it's on the north-east side of Sydenham Hill. | The case against The South Circular flows incessantly, and there are quite a few boy-racer routes for those seeking to escape it. The centre, consequently, feels a bit placeless. It can have a gloomy feel, as it's on the north-east side of Sydenham Hill. |
| Well connected? The overground circle has a spur south to Croydon that passes through here, and connects you north to Shoreditch and Highbury. It's also on a peculiar suburban rail loop from London Bridge (14 minutes, every 15) to Victoria (35 minutes, every 30). | Well connected? The overground circle has a spur south to Croydon that passes through here, and connects you north to Shoreditch and Highbury. It's also on a peculiar suburban rail loop from London Bridge (14 minutes, every 15) to Victoria (35 minutes, every 30). |
| Schools All good. Primaries: Christ Church CofE, Horniman, Dalmain, Perrymount, Holy Trinity CofE and Kelvin Grove all "good", says Ofsted, with Eliot Bank "outstanding". Secondaries: both Forest Hill and Sydenham schools are "good". | Schools All good. Primaries: Christ Church CofE, Horniman, Dalmain, Perrymount, Holy Trinity CofE and Kelvin Grove all "good", says Ofsted, with Eliot Bank "outstanding". Secondaries: both Forest Hill and Sydenham schools are "good". |
| Hang out at… St David Coffee House for coffee and flapjacks. | Hang out at… St David Coffee House for coffee and flapjacks. |
| Where to buy Loosely bordered by Brockley Rise, Perry Vale, Kirkdale, Sydenham Hill and Honor Oak. You'll find stately streets such as Church Rise, Sunderland Road and, off to the north, Honor Oak Road; nice spots off Kirkdale, too, such as Thorpewood Avenue. Mostly Victorian to 1930s semis, but with some good, well-priced 20th–century apartment blocks. | Where to buy Loosely bordered by Brockley Rise, Perry Vale, Kirkdale, Sydenham Hill and Honor Oak. You'll find stately streets such as Church Rise, Sunderland Road and, off to the north, Honor Oak Road; nice spots off Kirkdale, too, such as Thorpewood Avenue. Mostly Victorian to 1930s semis, but with some good, well-priced 20th–century apartment blocks. |
| Market values Detacheds, from £750,000 for a small three-bed to £1.25m for a large four/five. Semis, £500,000-£900,000. Terraces, £270,000-£450,000. Flats: one-beds from £145,000, two-beds from £200,000. | Market values Detacheds, from £750,000 for a small three-bed to £1.25m for a large four/five. Semis, £500,000-£900,000. Terraces, £270,000-£450,000. Flats: one-beds from £145,000, two-beds from £200,000. |
| Bargain of the week A lovely three-bed flat with parquet floors in an art deco block on Taymount Rise, £195,000 with Mann Countrywide. | Bargain of the week A lovely three-bed flat with parquet floors in an art deco block on Taymount Rise, £195,000 with Mann Countrywide. |
| From the streets | From the streets |
| Amanda Fuller "Favourite things: the art scene, Canvas & Cream cafe and St David coffee shop – try the passion fruit tart." | Amanda Fuller "Favourite things: the art scene, Canvas & Cream cafe and St David coffee shop – try the passion fruit tart." |
| Alison Jones "There's a lovely gastropub, the Dartmouth Arms." | Alison Jones "There's a lovely gastropub, the Dartmouth Arms." |
| Mike Hemmings "The top of One Tree Hill for the views over London. The Hopscotch cafe bar in Honor Oak for live local musicians." | Mike Hemmings "The top of One Tree Hill for the views over London. The Hopscotch cafe bar in Honor Oak for live local musicians." |
| • Live in Forest Hill? Join the debate below | • Live in Forest Hill? Join the debate below |
| Live in Llandrindod Wells, Powys? Do you have a favourite haunt or a pet hate? If so, email lets.move@guardian.co.uk by Tuesday, 9 April. | Live in Llandrindod Wells, Powys? Do you have a favourite haunt or a pet hate? If so, email lets.move@guardian.co.uk by Tuesday, 9 April. |
| Top mortgages | Top mortgages |
| Chelsea Building Society | Chelsea Building Society |
| Chelsea Building Society | |
| Yorkshire BS | Yorkshire BS |
| Provided by London & Country for the Guardian | Provided by London & Country for the Guardian |