Moving away from ED

[crystal7]

This is something much discussed chez c7 at the moment! We are finally beginning to accept that we are being priced out of ED *sob*. Our current place has 2 bedrooms and we have an energetic 3 year old and an 8 month old who isn't a great sleeper and is into everything. Our needs are modest: 3 bedrooms, a garden, close to a good primary school...Those of you who have mentioned Sydenham- how did you decide where to buy? ANy particularly nice bits? And what about schools?? OH wants to leave London but I'm determined to find somewhere (sort of) affordable not too far away from all the lovely friends we've made in ED...

[dulwichgirl2]

Sorry to bring the infra concept of numbers into it but, c7, would you give some indication of "how much you want to spend", as estate agents invariably ask. (the first time I was tempted to reply: obviously, as little as I bl@@dy can.

Edited to make it comprehensible.

[canadianlisa]

I am moving back to Ontario as well, Dundas so not far away from Toronto. Same reasons as everyone, we need a bigger place for our growing family and I really miss my family and my Mom. I am really looking forward to it, this horrible summer isn't helping but am sure we will miss ED and Forest Hill where we actually live. Have made lots of great friends in London but I imagine that most of them will be gone within the next 5 years for similar reasons.

Awilliams we can meet for a coffee if you want to have a cry about ED ;) x

[duchessofdulwich]

Born in dulwich-gone to kent

[Carbonara]

Selective schooling can (but doesn't have to) have a detrimental effect on comprehensive schools because if the top achieving 20% or 25% of children are removed into a Grammar then the comprehensive is no longer 'comprehensive'. Indeed I understand that in many parts of Kent they are called 'high schools' because of this. Of course the educational experience and quality of teaching can be as good, and children can achieve just as much - but if there are fewer high ability pupils then the provision for them to be able to do, say, two modern languages, or Latin, or 3 seperate science subjects all at GCSE may be compromised because the school capacity doesn't make it possible to offer that curriculum. I know people in particular parts of Kent who are struggling with this having children who narrowly missed out on a grammar place, grammar places being so over-subscribed. To the point where passing the 11+ doesn't guarantee a place - entry being reliant on passing at a certain competitive benchmark which changes each year.

I guess research is all, and it's good that the full spectrum of provision is strong in your chosen areas - good luck to all those who are Kentward-bound and Kent-dwellers!

[katgod]

well explained. one of the posters above says 'I'll think about grammar school if my child passes' or words to that effect. My experince passed on family and friends in 3 different grammar school areas is that by year 5 all those that can afford it are tutoring their kids in order to pass the 11+. I am not opposed to the system myself, having been through it, but that was a long time ago and it is very different now. With a lot of prep schools in existence mainly to coach the 11+, and all those in state schools who can afford it and want it also being coached, the competition is fierce. And the local 'comprehensive' will suffer because it does not have the full spread of ability that a school in a non grammar area would have.

Also, following this thread,and the comment that the 'cloud of the Academy at Peckahm was hanging over' again paraphrasing - and comments re good schools - depending on what your definition of 'Good' is, if using the Ofsted findings, then the Academy is 'Outstanding' and has 50% of children getting 5 A-C GCSEs including maths and english. A good many schools report highter 5 A-Cs without maths and English. And the results there have doubled in 2 years. So in another 2 years it could be a very different story. I am not arguing with those who move, but I think that the situation is not always bettere elsewere, and people need to know what they are going to, and also have a good idea about what they are leaving behind.

[Salsie]

We're looking at Kent too! Definately can't afford ED and Nunhead is also out of our budget...

Where in Kent are people moving to out of interest?

Not really wanting to move but we have a one bedroom flat and baby on the way and we can buy a 2/3 bedroom house for the same price as our 1 bedroom flat.

[dutchestatefamily]

Is anyone considering Canterbury in Kent? It's where I grew up.

lots going on with a yearly festival, a newly refurbished theatre (the marlowe), a mainstream cinema and 'cinema 3' for more independent films up at the university.... it's surrounded by lovely kent countryside, great for getting out for walks... and there is now a high speed train to St Pancras.

It's a long time since I lived there so maybe people have other Canterbury recommendations/ thoughts, but my one big memory is my mum picking us up from primary school in the summer and taking us to the beach (lovely sandy beaches on the North Kent coast)... bliss!

Also, a shameless plug, my mum is selling her beautiful 4 bed family home in Canterbury (close to Bridge primary school and the Simon Langton grammar schools).

http://www.geeringandcolyer.co.uk/buy/property/4-bedroom-semi-detached-house-in-canterbury,ct1-for-guide-price-gbp-320,000-ref-1634505/

[Susan]

Sorry just have to say with this post you have probably done the estate agents job for them!

Love the garden

[snowboarder]

We are only just in Kent really - between Orpington and Sevenoaks. Commuting into London Bridge was essential for us so that made a number of decisions about location. Our nearest station gets husband into London Bridge in 18m on a fast train in the morning.

Maybe I'm a completely naive idiot but the schools issue (whilst obv important) came second to simply having more space and a garden for us. My 3 year old was kicking 5 footballs daily into our neighbours garden and we just decided we wanted to try and keep them and him in our own space. We've only been here a month though - it is certainly going to take some getting used to,

[ClareC]

We are much further into Kent, a village @ 5 miles outside of Ashford.

HS1 gets you to Stratford International (for Canary Wharf) in 28 mins and St Pancras in 35 mins

There are slower trains to LB, Charing Cross & Victoria.

20 min drive and you are on a beautiful golden sandy beach!

I come into town 3 days a week and the commute is pleasant and fast!

I do miss having trains every 10 mins, twice an hour does lead to clock watching!!

[duchessofdulwich]

Another one who has gone from east dulwich to ashford..... 37 minutes into london from here no regrets on making the move

[oimissus]

katgod - my definition of a good school is not one where 50% of pupils don't get 5 good GCSEs. It just isn't, and it's rendering the word outstanding meaningless. It is of course hugely improved, but that is not the same thing at all. As with all Ofsted reports, you do have to look well beyond the headlines as they do seem to alter the English language to suit themselves!

[susyp]

my god dutchestate that is the cleanest house I have ever seen - can i borrow your mum?

susypx

[katgod]

Oimissus, someone further up referenced a school with 58 per cent 5 a-c as a good school. My point was really that you need to check carefully before always assuming that things are better elsewhere.

[rebeccaben]

we have toyed with the idea of leaving dulwich for greener pastures (and bigger houses) but never got past the increased commute. the in-laws are thinking about retiring to Deal and i just looked on rightmove and it makes me slightly sick to see what you can get for your money there (although the commute would rule out working in London). warning: property porn in the link below:

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-33396751.html?premiumA=true

[hellosailor]

rebeccaben I just had a look at deal houses on rightmove after looking at your link, now going to have a lengthy moving to deal fantasy...talk about more bang for your buck! And I love Deal! (tho know no-one there....hmmm....fantasy wilts a bit....)

[crystal7]

Ooh love a bit of property porn thanks rebeccaben! Rightmove app is addictive...

[oimissus]

katgod - ah right, yes, sorry, I see what you're saying - I wouldn't class that as 'good' either, myself!

[veryseriousgirl]

Wow Duchess, I am drooling over your mom's house - we are thinking of moving to Canterbury but a little worried about my husband's commute (he works in Westminster so St Pancras not terribly handy). Does anyone have tips about best / quickest ways to get from Canterbury to Whitehall?

Also considering Tunbridge Wells - does anyone know what it's like to actually live there? Snowboarder, what's Orpington like? I have been so spoiled living off Lordship Lane that I'm slightly terrified of moving to a less "villagey" place, but I really, really want to stay home with the kids for a few years and leaving ED is the only way to do it... :(

[duchessofdulwich]

That's the dilemma we had to get a decent sized property and for me to stay at home with the kids we had to move out of London. I miss the little coffee shops etc on lordship lane but found people really friendly in our new area s

[Vickster]

My friend has just moved to Tunbridge Wells (well just outside - Langton Green) and loves it.

We are currently in the process of trying to move to Bedford. Has anyone else gone North rather than South? We needed to reduce our mortgage but get a much bigger place and Bedford ticked both of these boxes. I also need to carry on commuting and Bedford is on the thameslink and there are also fast trains to Kings Cross (33 mins). Schools are good, although Bedfordshire still has a 3 tier system. No grammar schools though. My husband grew up nearby, but it is a completely unknown quantity for me so a bit terrifying!

I am also going to miss ED and Lordship Lane terribly. The house we are hoping to buy is adjacent to Bedford Park and is a 10 minute walk to the town centre and river so hoping we will still be able to find some nice spots.

[Belle]

very serious girl - i'm sure I've got the train to canterbury from victoria sometimes? that would be good for westminster...

[Fuschia]

Vickster, planning to relocate to herts or possibly Essex next summer

[Ruth_Baldock]

VSG; I used to get to Canterbury from Victoria; was a train that went to Dover Priory and then went it got to Rochester (? I think ?) would split and half would go to Canterbury and the other half would go onto Dover. So basically, what Belle said...