I live in Shipman Rd. And it is very nice, friendly and quiet. To be honest the only trouble we have ever had on the street in my five years living there was a group of kids on their bikes too late at night in the summer. But that was three years ago. The shop tends to close at 8:00 pm on weekdays and 6:30 on Sundays. It is run by a very nice couple.

The new Methodist church on Normaton Rd now acts as a de facto Shipman Rd neighborhood community centre. My neighbor had her daughter's third birthday there. They have a toddler club and run yoga and pilates classes. And they do tennis lessons for kids in the summer.

If you want to get to the Horimian, and you don't want to walk. You can take the 356 bus on Perry Vale straight there. Shipman rd is also equidistant between the Sydenham and Forest Hill Sainsbury's--so you can take your pick.

I would highly recomend Shipman Rd. You get the benefits of Forest Hill with out the (sometimes snotty) attitude from those who live closer to the Horniman who secretly wish they lived in East Dulwich.