London SE20 - Word on the street
Word on the street: London SE20
24 August 2010
I grew up in Sydenham so I know the area well.
It used to be that Sydenham was a far nicer option than Penge but that is no longer the case. Now that Penge has the Overground virtually into Canary Wharf, plus other trains direct into London Bridge and Victoria, people are starting to realise it is a hidden gem.
Affordable, cottage style housing in need of renovations, we picked up our 3 bed semi detached Victorian house with a 100ft garden just on the border with Beckenham for a mere £250,000. Our previous home in East Dulwich is a one bed flat and is on the market for just £20,000 less.
Penge is now getting little cafes opening up and will soon get the overspill from Crystal Palace and East Dulwich. The Bridge House Tavern being gentrified is only the beginning. Give it 3 years and it will be a totally different place.
People mock the area and to be honest it used to be ghastly, but I have faith. I have lived in Chelsea, Dulwich, Putney and Sydenham, but Penge has more character and quirkiness than all of those places put together, plus some of the best schools (Dulwich, Jags, Alleyns) within spitting distance. Buy now before you lose out!
Catherine
Word on the street: London SE20
20 July 2010
This is a nice multicultural area.
SE 20 has a large Somali and Turkish population. You can get all your food needs from Yams to Plantains at the huge range of ethnic shops. There are lots of cheap pound shops, iceland and Lidl for great shopping.
Properties are reasonable and you get a lot for your money. There are some restaurants and bars but they are quite a distance away towards Beckenham or Crystal Palace.
Eduko
Word On The Street: Penge
30 July 2007
Very up and coming area. In desperate need of somewhere nice to have a drink and somewhere to buy a decent coffee though ...
... it’s a shame Starbucks have not yet moved in. Lots of young professionals and young families. Has a Saturday market, fantastic transport links and Sainsburys, but we need to get rid of the take aways shops!
Elaine
Word On The Street: London SE20
25 May 2007
Fantastic transport links with a choice of stations and even the tram ...
... Not one decent pub or restaurant though - still waiting after nearly six years! Neighbouring Beckenham and Crystal Palace have more than their fair share, it's about time one of the big chains moved in. Judging by the comments on here we would all patronise it. Even a Pizza Express would do!
Andrew
Word On The Street: Penge
10 April 2007
Penge is one of the few affordable, decent areas left in London ...
... It's got great transport connections (20mins to Victoria) and the High Street has a really good mix of shops, including staples like Sainsburys and Woolworths.
I moved from Dulwich because I was priced out of the area (thanks to Claphamisation!), and have found Penge to be a lovely friendly place. It's not got a decent restaurant or bar as yet, but hopefully some enterprising types will cotton onto this soon.
South London Girl
Word On The Street: Penge
25 January 2007
We moved to Penge in July 2006. It is a great area, surrounded by many green spaces ...
... It is ideal for commuting to London and we have the choice of three stations, including Crystal Palace, Kent House and Clock House as well as Penge East and Penge West. The tram is nearby in Beckenham Road.
Although I would love Penge to have some nice shops the local shops serve their purpose. There are many friendly local independent shops in the High Street. It is lacking a nice pub or bar and for dining and drinking you would need to take a 5 minute trip to Beckenham High Street or Crystal Palace.
We were house hunting in Crystal Palace but for a 5 minute journey from CP and away from their busy roads we were able to afford a three bedroom property for the price of a one bedroom in Crystal Palace.
E Shaughnessy
Word On The Street: Penge
16 November 2006
Just moved to Penge after finding that I could get a Victorian house for the price of a small flat in East Dulwich ...
... I reckon it's great - ok it could do with a nice restaurant but it has green spaces good transport and friendly people. With an extension to the tube network in the next few years and the potential knock on effect of the Olympics for Crystal Palace Park, it can only get better.
Steve
Word On The Street: London SE20
17 August 2006
We're really happy to be living in Anerley ...
We have a lovely big flat with a garden in a broad, tree lined street. The transport links into London are really good (I find Norwood Junction the best station, only 5 mins by bus or 20 mins walk). Beckenham & Crystal Palace are a short bus ride away for restaurants & the cinema. Don't underestimate it!
Word On The Street: Penge
14 July 2006
We are just about to move to Penge from Croydon ...
... I really think Penge is about to become the next Crystal Palace. It has the old town feel, with some great shops and fantastic transport links which will always attract the London commuters.
It has its downsides (too many takeaway restaurants) but hopefully these will one day be replaced with nice cafes and shops
Word On The Street: Penge
19 June 2006
Well, it does what it says on the tin ...
... Penge is still "Boil in the Bag" but there is a lot of potential. Let's hope the gentrification continues.
Word On The Street: Penge
06 April 2006
I have lived in Penge for the last 3 years and its the best move I've made...
The transport links are fast to Victoria, Blackfriars (20 mins) and London Bridge (16 mins). We are being connected with the tube by 2010, Crystal Palace Park which is only a 5 minute walk is being redeveloped with a spanking new sports stadium. Many professional people are moving into the area as house prices continue to be affordable - but not for much longer - I'd buy now or stand by and watch the prices rocket!!
Word On The Street: London SE20
20 July 2005
I moved here last April 2004...
...and was pleasantly surprised at how quiet and neighbourly the area is. Lots of green with Crystal Palace just up the road. I'll be staying for a long time!
24 January 2005
I have now lived in Penge for 6 months and love it!..
OK, there could be a few more shops but apart from that it's safe, tidy and quiet without being boring.
It is also very easy to get to Central London: about 20 minutes to Charing Cross from Penge West station. And once you've been to the West End it feels great to come back to the peace and quiet!
House prices are still surprisingly low but are rising steadily. Recommended.
21 January 2005
I have lived in Penge, SE20, for only a few months...
...in a lovely, modern studio and haven't regretted moving here once (from a rougher part of town).
Penge has excellent transport links including a 24 bus service to central London and 4 railway stations within walking distance.
It is an area that certainly feels much safer (despite the chavs!) than others I have lived in, and there is a police station and CCTV covering the town. Bromley is one of the lowest boroughs for crime rates in London.
OK, Penge doesn't have the greatest nightlife or the best pubs or restaurants, but there are great facilities a matter of minutes away in Crystal Palace and surrounding areas. And what it does have certainly isn't awful, just what you would find in any area of London. Anyway, with the excellent transport links to London we can go up town and come back to relative peace and quiet leaving the intoxicated hordes miles away!
In short Penge to me is safe, accessible and easygoing; it is certainly up-and-coming, and it is definitely one of those places where you will feel comfortable living and being.
05 November 2004
I moved to Anerley in April 2004 and love it...
The transport links are great and with the promise of a tube line by 2009 it doesn't get much better! Crystal Palace is only a stone's throw away and is a great place with fab bars & some amazing restaurants. Up and coming is definitely the word.
20 May 2004
Up and coming is the word here...
I was a bit apprehensive about relocating here, but Penge is a great little place. It's under-priced at the moment. If you can afford a flat in Crystal Palace, you'll probably be able to buy a house down the hill, but not for long I wager. It's got great transport links from Penge East and West stations (about 20 minutes to Blackfriars, Victoria, London Bridge). A stone's throw from Crystal Palace Park and just 15 minutes walk from the restaurants and bars up on the hill, so what more could you ask for. Get in while it's cheap. :) The Hollywood East will be a "style bar" before you know it!
05 May 2004
Only a property fashion victim would turn their noses up at Penge...
Considering that there are consistently more period properties than our illustrious neighbours up the hill and much better transport links it beggars belief that potential homebuyers haven't discovered the area already.
It's ideal for families and is still relatively affordable but I trust not for much longer - many people are moving here because they can't afford to buy in Crystal Palace or East Dulwich.
Ignore at your peril!
29 April 2004
Penge is absolutely fantastic...
For the price of a flat in Crystal Palace we bought a large 4 bedroom Victorian house in a quiet and leafy cul-de-sac. The transport links to London are faster - 16 minutes to Victoria, 20 minutes to London Bridge and Blackfriars. The High Street and market have all the necessary shops, Crystal Palace Park is 5 minutes' walk away and bars and restaurants are 15 minutes up the Hill in Palace - an up and coming area I think.
23 April 2004
We're moving to Penge and I can't wait!..
Travel into London will be quicker because the stations are nearby, and some of the streets are cleaner and prettier.
We've chosen Penge because here we can get a 3 bed house rather than a flat which is all we could afford up the road in Crystal Palace/Upper Norwood. I'm looking forward to being close to a high street with a market, the vast Crystal Palace Park, 16 minutes to Victoria and it has to be up and coming if we're moving there!
27 November 2003
Anerley is great...
...wide, leafy roads and really close to Crystal Palace Park. The huge Victorian mansions lend the area an air of grandeur and there are great bars and restaurants just up the hill in Upper Norwood.
11 March 2003
Both Penge and Anerley offer affordable housing in quiet suburban type roads...
...and yet within easy access of all amenities plus links to the City. A largely undiscovered area due mostly to peoples' snobbery relating to the name Penge! And yet Penge is a real high street with a real market and real people, a proper community. We love it!
29 January 2003
Penge has excellent affordable Victorian housing...
...for the price of a one bed garden flat in East Dulwich we were able to get a small Victorian Terraced house. Excellant Transport links to London, just needs some trendy bars.
07 October 2002
I have lived in Anerley for nearly seven years...
It almost has a sense of community, but still finds itself hampered by poverty in the council-owned areas. The people are great, but can take a bit of acclimatisation. Crystal Palace Park is wonderful (or it was, until it was changed by the same person who devised the Diana memorial). The restaurants in C.P. are a treat. Check out the Country Park. I'm moving out, but not far. Oh, if you want nice houses, look just outside the area, in Hamlet Road and environs.
15 August 2002
We moved to SE20 in April 2002....
So far, so good. Good public transport to central London. Crystal Palace Park nearby. Penge has lots of local services. More restaurants and nightlife in Crystal Palace up on the hill.
26 July 2002
We used to say Notting Hill was the only place to live in London...
...but when we returned after 11 years living in Leeds, we could only afford Penge. No problem: it's a great place. We've got a fantastic house, lovely neighbours, good schools and easy access to town and country.
03 May 2002
We moved here in September 2001...
...we bought a 30's flat with lots of character, 2 bedrooms and a garage for £127,000 - including freehold, can't be bad!
It has everything you need, shops, pubs, supermarkets, Aladdins Caves, fab butcher and greengrocer, and so easy to get into town.
26 April 2002
Absolutely brilliant...
Cator Park, Kelsey Park, Beckenham Place Park, Crystal Palace Park all within 5 to 15 minutes walk from the High Street. Bromley for shopping. Three train stations going up to Victoria, Blackfriars and Charing Cross giving pretty comprehensive coverage for working up town and all approximately 20 minutes on the train.
22 January 2002
Penge is delightful, having lived here for 19 years...
...I couldn't think of a nicer place in London than Penge.
Having a lively high-street with every fast food restaurant you could imagine. Lots of schools, super-markets and other useful shops.
There is roughly 5 big playing fields and a walk up the road to Crystal Palace park. You can get to Central London within 20 mins. Be in Surrey in 15 Minutes, be in Kent in 10mins.
I love Penge, its great!!
18 January 2002
I moved here 2 years ago...
it's the only area around where you can get a 3 bed Victorian terrace with loads of character and nice garden for an affordable price. Good shops - Sainsbury's, Homebase & Crystal Palace Park on your doorstep.
03 September 2001
Bienvenue a Penge les deux eglises...
...il y a beaucoup de belles magasins et malheuresement il y a un grand McDonalds. J'aime beaucoup la tour television de Crystal Palace et j'espere habiter ici longtemps.
07 August 2001
Lived here for over 4 years, amenities fantastic...
(19 minutes to Victoria from Penge East), 5 minutes drive to Beckenham or Sydenham, 10 minutes drive to Bromley (great shopping). Public transport very plentiful, Tramlink from near Clock House to Croydon. Crystal Palace Park 5 minutes walk. Why pay Dulwich prices when you have property half the price here with all these amenities??
23 July 2001
Penge is a pleasant area to live in...
close to the main shopping areas of Croydon & Bromley (15-20 mins by car, 10 mins by train) and in easy reach of the centre of London.
The people are down to earth.
If you are not too concerned about living in a exclusive area then Penge will do. House prices are reasonable compared to the neighbouring Bromley Borough towns of Beckenham & Bromley.
05 March 2001
In the three years I've lived here...
...Penge has gone from strength to strength. The property prices are very reasonable, very good local schools (Alexandra school being the best), new Sainsburys, Moon & Stars pub, new businesses opening up on the high street constantly. We are closer to the Beckenham Spa/Library than most people in Beckenham. Penge East/West stations very convenient. Anyone who can no longer afford Dulwich prices come to Penge.
13 December 2000
Lived here for 12 years....
Keep on buying elsewhere and always end-up coming back to Penge becuase of its transport links (separate train stations into London Bridge and Victoria - plus Thameslnk and other services from Herne Hill)
Very multicultural and friendly local shops.
Large rooms in these Victorian conversions is a big plus.
13 December 2000
I Love Living in Penge (pronounced Ponge)...
Not really, I'm taking the Mick! Nice friendly locals, Good choice of food outlets and a Woolies (what more could you ask for!).
Great pub, The Hollywood East...Check it out...Great amenities, all on your doorstep, not forgetting the market...Great Place to Live.
28 July 2000
The area is lovely and green...
Lots of trees and parks nearby, but also lots of busy roads (young children beware). Crime seems to be non-existent.
Train stations aplenty. Lots of take-away restaurants. Property is mainly Victorian mansions converted into flats.
Tell us about London SE20
Add your comments about London SE20