Hi everyone,

My husband and I currently live in East Dulwich and are contemplating a move down to Honor Oak Park. As with many other people, we wanted somewhere close by, with good transport links, where we could afford a house. We are considering an offer on a house in the Gabriel St/Ackroyd Road area. I'm now nervous about moving and looking to anyone for inside information and advice on HOP - and reassurance that this is the sensible decision. I have scoured this forum and found relevant advice - and just had a few more specific questions.

When we walked around HOP last weekend, it seemed very quiet, with few people about. Hopscotch was really nice (good sandwiches!) and the deli had some good (if expensive) options. We had a nice walk around the Blythe Hill area (and saw the spectacular views). We walked to the Kings College sports ground and watched a little of the rugby game that was on. I'm just wondering if we missed anything - like are there any good pubs in the area apart from the Honor Oak on German Street? Are there any restaurants or shops around apart from on the Parade/Babur/Le Querce? Are there any big supermarkets close by (I've read the threads on Sainburys opening on the parade, so I'm presuming not)? Or are these all things that can be accessed easily with local transport included the ELL and the 185 to ED? Would you recommend a wander towards Crofton Park for any of these over the weekends?

We're also looking to be in an area with good schools and good child care - if our offer were accepted we would be very close to the Ackroyd Community Centre and also within the Stillness School catchment (within 0.3 miles) so the Infant and Junior School would hopefully be an option for us. I think the nearest playground would be the one on Blythe Hill (unless there's one hidden somewhere else?). Are there pros/cons about having young kids in the area? There don't seem to be quite as many kids around as in ED, but maybe this is deceptive.

Finally - is it safe at night, especially when walking back from the station towards Brockley Rise? It seems very safe during the day, but we have yet to wander there at night.

I would gratefully accept any advice, thoughts, encouragement, discouragement, responses from anyone. We've had a lot of change in our lives over the last year and I look to the kindness of strangers to help us in our decision to move to HOP.

On an aside - have there been any discussions about putting another pedestrian crossing on Brockley Rise? There doesn't seem to be one between about the Honor Oak pub and the junction with Honor Oak Park which makes it a bit of a scamper across to go up to Blythe Hill!

Thank you so much in advance!