Honor Oak Park

[Love_London]

We are thinking of moving to Honor Oak Park area (near the station or in between Forest Hill and HOP station).

I have read positive things about living in HOP in previous threads but have some specific questions and would be grateful if you could share your wisdom!

- Are there any good places for grocery shopping? Large supermarkets or farmers market?

- How are the kids facilities in the area? Many nurseries? Kids swimming, gym, library, activities?

- How is the community compared to ED? Am I going to get the village communitiy feel in HOP as well?

- How often do London overground trains run? Every 10-12 minutes in peak times?

- Do you think primary schools in the area will keep their outstanding rating in next couple of years too?(well, i know we will need a crystal ball for this!)

Property prices are slightly cheaper than ED but not that much cheaper so we are slightly hesitant in making a decision at the moment...

Thanks so much in advance everyone!

[Medley]

Love_London Wrote:

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

> We are thinking of moving to Honour Oak Park area

> (near the station or in between Forest Hill and

> HOP station).

> I have read positive things about living in HOP in

> previous threads but have some specific questions

> and would be grateful if you could share your

> wisdom!

>

> - Are there any good places for grocery shopping?

This is mixed. There's a good-sized Sbury's in FH. A small Sbury's is to open in HOP in coming months. There is a fab new butchers in FH. But there's a bit of a lack of a good greengrocer or fish place.

> Large supermarkets or farmers market?

Food market in FH once a month I think

> - How are the kids facilities in the area? Many

> nurseries? Kids swimming, gym, library,

> activities?

FH pools are brand new and good. I prefer them to ED pools. Don't know about the rest I'm afraid.

> - How is the community compared to ED? Am I going

> to get the village communitiy feel in HOP as

> well?

Yes.

> - How often do London overground trains run? Every

> 10-12 minutes in peak times?

Depends where you're going. If you want the Jubilee line to get into West End etc then it's 16 trains per hour in the peak, so one every 4-5 mins. If you want London Bridge then it's Southern trains, about 8 in the peak. Overground 8 all day pretty much.

> - Do you think primary schools in the area will

> keep their outstanding rating in next couple of

> years too?(well, i know we will need a crystal

> ball for this!)

>

> Property prices are slightly cheaper than ED but

> not that much cheaper so we are slightly hesitant

> in making a decision at the moment...

>

Property prices are MUCH cheaper than prime ED. Esp in HOP.

> Thanks so much in advance everyone!

[HopOne]

It is Honor Oak BTW.

The shopping is not concentrated in one road, like Lordship Lane, but practically everything else is there if you know where to look with possible exception of a dedicated fishmonger. The new FH butcher is good but then so is Peter James who also sells some fish now. Budgens is an excellent supermarket, small but with a great range. There is also the Forest Hill Road supermarket which is also well stocked and has good veg and fruit, seemingly open all the time too. There is a deli in Hills & Parkes - good but I find a little pricey but if you are used to the East Dulwich deli then probably a few bargains to be had. Just a few tips, there are many more.

It is a great area for kids. Lots of green spaces and of course the Horniman is not far away.

Property prices are rising fast so differential with ED is diminishing.

[kittenheels]

I can't answer your questions about schools and activities for children, but we moved to HOP last year after six years in East Dulwich, and we absolutely love it.

There's a lovely community spirit. Shopkeepers along the little parade are extremely friendly - the Hills & Parkes deli and Neroli beauty salon are particularly brilliant. Sainsbury's Local is opening this summer, and we have a couple of smaller supermarkets for the essentials.

As another EDF-er has already said, there's a regular food market in Forest Hill, and Brockley Market is great too.

HOP is also great for restaurants. The fabulous Babur (recently voted Best Indian Resturant in London in the Zagat Guide) is worth a mention, as is the Italian, Le Querce and Tapatisserie which offers tapas and a selection of Spanish-inspired sandwiches and fresh pastries.

To me, the only thing missing is a great foodie pub - but the delights of Lordship Lane are within walking distance if you're feeling brave enough to face the mighty hill between HOP and ED. Otherwise, grab a minicab from the office right by the station and they'll whisk you to SE22 for about ?6.

Good luck with your move!

[Love_London]

Thanks so much everyone!

Good to hear all lovely things about HOP.

Does anyone have any negative experience?

Also, one last question - what is the bus connection like? Any bus to Central London or Peckham Rye, etc?

THANK YOU

[HannahSE23]

Hi I've lived in Honor Oak for two years and I can't recommend it enough. Very friendly place. Lots of things going on.

As for your specific points...

- Grocery shopping in Sainsbury's in FH, market in FH or Brockley or deli in HOP. Plus new Sainsbury's Local due in HOP in the sunmmer

- I personally prefer the community feel of HOP to ED (I used to live there, admittedly a few years ago). It's not so pretentious (sorry EDers) and a lot more down to earth, though how long it will stay that way remains to be seen.

- there's a lot for children. The new pools in FH are great. There are libraries both in Crofton Park and FH, lots of kids activities locally in various halls such as the Ackroyd Centre, St Augustine's church up on the hill and Devonshire Road Nature Reserve. There's also the rec (behind the allotments) where there is a small playground. The Oak Tree nursery in Boveney Road meant to be very good.

- trains are so regular I can't even comment. Put it this way, you won't be waiting more than a few minutes.

- can't see the ratings of either Stillness or Fairlawn changing. The sort of parents who send there kids there simply wouldn't allow it!

Property prices are still a lot cheaper than ED but I can see this changing due to all the points listed above.

Hope this helps and doesn't come across as too biased!!

[tomskip]

Is it really true that property is cheaper in Honor Oak? I can't say I have noticed particularly.

[HopOne]

As a generalisation, if you compare the same style house and square metreage, you will probably find that ED will be more expensive (but with a smaller garden). So, yes I think so but I suspect not for much longer.