I am considering moving to East Dulwich, please help!

[RAW85]

Hi,

I am considering moving to East Dulwich as part of a home swap. I do not really know much about the area, but I have been doing lots of research on Google. I currently live in Nottingham, so this will be a big move for me and a fresh start. I am 27 years old and a single mother, my son is 3yrs old and will be starting school in September. The property that I am interested in is on the Dog Kennel Hill estate. Is this a safe/nice place to live? How good are the schools, and transport links? What is the crime rate like? Any advice or information would be very much appreciated.

[Fuschia]

Go for it

Ed is lovely. Schools are good. The estate is ok I think. There is a community centre called the albrighton with lots of activities and dkh adventure playground opposite

[Mrs TP]

I don't live on the estate but my impression as a local is that it is fine. Always v quiet and not much to report on. You would be on top on the main bus routes in the area and a 10 / 15 min walk from Denmark Hill train station, which links to Victoria in central London.

Dog Kennel Hill School is one of the main well thought of primaries in the area. Absolutely fine place to live and East Dulwich, Camberwell and Peckham borders around are all very settled family areas. With a child approaching school age you will soon meet loads of new people at the school and should settle in quickly to a very calm area.

I don't know though how the cost of living compares with Nottingham - groceries, rent etc? The cinema in Peckham is cheap and safe ?4.99 all seats.

The only other bonkers thing, when I moved to London from Leics 20+ yrs ago was that I was amazed by how low the planes fly over the city and how noisy they are - then after a week or so you tune out and don't notice them and there are no (few?) night flights.

[Fuschia]

You probably wouldn't get a nursery place for THIS September now, though.

Would he be boing into nursery or is he about to have his 4th birthday and be starting reception in sept?

If the latter, you would be a late applicant but very close to dkh school so in with a fair chance of getting any vacancy that arises

[Fuschia]

Ed is a lovely place to make friends with other mums

It is pricey though... Still lots of free activities around, but the cost of living is high

[Hood83]

I DO live on the estate (the shock, the horror). It's really nice, plenty of young families (though have to admit that slight drives me mad) it's pretty quiet, neighbours are really friendly - and actually talk to you here as well. It was the only place I could afford anywhere near my work in London Bridge, but i'd actually rather live here than anywhere else in ED.

It also feels very safe to me and if the council is still selling off properties (i think they probably aren't sadly) you can pick up a bargain.

[jonbateson]

Hello, I'm from Nottingham too! Ed is a great place to live, I would just check your options on schools as this is an issue around here...

Maria

[fl0wer]

One thing you might be glad to know about that's free, spacious, and nice for young children - play and picnic areas are nearby in Peckham Park. Harmony is preserved by keeping the dogs out of these sections.

Horniman Museum gardens are free too - there are gorgeous outdoor musical instruments to try....your son can see plenty of birds and animals and food plants + lots of green, run-around space as well.

[tomskip]

Its also worth considering that you would very probably be able to send your to The Charter secondary school, if you settle, which is outstanding and has a tiny catchment. Dog Kennel Hill primary is also a fine school. I have lived happily in East Dulwich since 1996 and would recommend it as a place to live for anyone, so long as you are ok with the eye watering housing costs.