Hi there,
I may well be moving to FH soon, so I was just wondering if anyone could spare a moment to offer their opinion about the Perry Vale bit? The roads certainly seem very quiet, which is great (and really important), and obviously at this time of year the whole tree-lined Victorian thing is lovely. Is there an issue with anti-social behaviour? I haven't seen anything myself, but I've checked the police crime map and, although the area is tagged 'average' in terms of overall crime, anti-social has been the most prominent category over the past few months. It's something I've had to deal with before, but there's a bit more money at stake this time, so I'd really appreciate any advice you delightful Forest Hillers might have about this!
Many thanks,
G.

Can you be more precise as to the location?

Thanks - I'm most interested in Elsinore, Hurstbourne and Vancouver roads, and I hear Perry Vale is everything between the south circular, catford hill/perry vale and forest hill station.

GLH
I used to do a lot of deliveries in Forest Hill and know the area well
(I have Lived here for 11 years). Out of the roads you mentioned I would put Vancouver first, Hurstbourne second and Elsinore third.

Better still is the Thorpewood Avenue area on the other side of the railway or in fact any hilly part of FH is probably better. The trouble is they are likely to be far more expensive.

A simple way to work it out is dont move very close to Sydenham, Brockley or Catford.

Hi GLH

I live in the area that you mention and I imagine that 'Average' is about right. I have lived in 'posher' parts of London, but I am not convinced that the area is better or worse re anti-social behaviour which was your question. The area has a lot of families and people who have lived in the area a long time, so it feels settled.

I suffered most from anti-social behaviour, elsewhere in London, when I lived near a road of bars and restaurants and close to the tube. That doesn't apply here.

The local foxes, cats and woodpeckers on the other hand can make a right racket! (There appears to be a cat stand-off outside as I type).

Hope this helps.

Feel free to PM me if you want more specific info.

& Good luck!

Hi....I live on the other side of Woolstone Road and although we did get burgled last year, I've not seen or heard of any anti-social behaviour. I also have friends on Kilmorie and Vancouver and they haven'[t either.

It is generally a very quiet area with friendly neighbours in my experience. Oh and the top of the road is a Catford postcode so don't think that makes any difference ;-)

Hope that helps.

Thanks so much for all your advice everyone.
Much appreciated.
G.

Hi GLH,

I live in Hurstbourne Road. It is generally very quiet with nice neighbours.

Hello G!

I live on the lower half of Elsinore (Between Vancouver & Woolstone Rd) which to most people is the least desirable end of Elsinore Rd as most of the houses were bombed during the war. However, I love it and don't often have any problems with anti social behaviour. I was born on Woolstone Rd and moved to Elsinore 3 years ago so I have a good feel for the area. I also have the loveliest of neighbours, we all say hello and stop to chat in the street!

I'm even hosting a street party for The Big Lunch on 5th June which you are more than welcome to come to which would give you a good vibe of the area and residents!! The only condition is that everyone brings some lunch to share! :D

Sophie-Rose
xx

Hi there - I started out living in Chelsea, then Fulham, then Finsbury Park, then Stoke Newington, and have finally started a family in Forest Hill! We live off Woolstone road, towards the Perry Vale end. Having lived in very much posher bits of London we too were a bit nervous about moving to what is essentially a very average bit of south London. But it has worked out great. THe train connections into town have considerably improved with the arrival of the Overground, our neighbours have become great friends, and we love the local parks and the Horniman. I think crime rates are generally low, although there have been some burglaries apparently, and we do have an alarm (but would probably have one anywhere we lived in London).

The downsides: shopping in Forest Hill is very limited, the schools in this bit of Forest Hill arent the best and the property prices are not going up, ie. this is not a "des res" area (we have lost money on our purchase in 2008). But our house is extendable, we have a fantastic garden, and I think we got good value for money. The houses on the other side of the station (ie anywhere hilly) go for about #100k more, so Perry Vale is certainly affordable. Hope that helps!

Moved to FH 2.5 years ago from Weybridge, yes its different there is more of a mix of people but overall its great. Access to London night life and rsstsurants is easy with the Overground, people say hello and whilst some areas of housing are less than desirable it is improving and I think will continue to fo so.
Sadly for some the price of housing both to buy and rent will change the demographics as has happened in other parts of London. Being an Eastender some 50 years ago I would never have believed that a house in Bow would ever be worth a£1M+ :-)