Hi,
I'm Mark, currently living in Devon but looking to relocate to London. Everything I've seen about Sydenham looks pretty nice, but what is it really like e.g. location, transport links (I need to get to Liverpool Street each day), people, cafe's, culture, pubs, spaces etc..?
I'd appreciate your feedback.
Thanks
so what is it like, living in Sydenham?
Travel: very good public transport links into London and elsewhere. Within easy reach of Gatwick and Heathrow.
Retail: A good blend of larger stores and local independent traders (please note, we do not have 'half-day trading' on a wednesday)
A lot of very good park areas.
You'll have a choice of Football teams. Millwall or Palace.
Quite a few cafes, from coffee bars to greasey spoons and some very nice pubs, from Gastro's to Boozers
I'm sure others will have a lot more to say,..but this is based on my own llimited experience.
Ali B
Retail: A good blend of larger stores and local independent traders (please note, we do not have 'half-day trading' on a wednesday)
A lot of very good park areas.
You'll have a choice of Football teams. Millwall or Palace.
Quite a few cafes, from coffee bars to greasey spoons and some very nice pubs, from Gastro's to Boozers
I'm sure others will have a lot more to say,..but this is based on my own llimited experience.
Ali B
Overall I think Sydenham is a good place to live. Trains go from Sydenham station to London Bridge, with off-peak services to Victoria, from Sydenham Hill (& Penge East) to Victoria and from Lower Sydenham to Charing Cross. In just over a year (hopefully) the East London Line will be extended to Sydenham (and be called London Overground) so you can get to docklands/ east London (not sure where exactly!).
The area is a little run-down in places, but much of the area is nice and leafy. There are a couple of very nice cafes and a mix of pubs from the spit and sawdust to the gastropub. The area even has the "Phil and Kirsty" seal of approval from Channel 4's Location Location Location (see the Syd TV section of this forum).
Hope this helps.
The area is a little run-down in places, but much of the area is nice and leafy. There are a couple of very nice cafes and a mix of pubs from the spit and sawdust to the gastropub. The area even has the "Phil and Kirsty" seal of approval from Channel 4's Location Location Location (see the Syd TV section of this forum).
Hope this helps.
A couple of bits to add 
bus info
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/gettingaround ... m-2250.pdf
That's a pdf of all routes that serve Sydenham, from Transport For London's website www.tfl.gov.uk
FYI trains from Sydenham also head south to Croydon (East Croydon or West Croydon) - East Croydon is a major train interchange with direct services to the south coast (Eastbourne, Brighton, Bognor, Portsmouth etc) as well as northbound to Watford, Luton, Bedford and, from next year, Milton Keynes. Not strictly useful for Mark's commute, but you never know, might fancy a leisure outing by train
Shops wise, Sydenham has pretty much everything you'd need to survive on a day-by-day basis, although for a big grocery shop, best bet is the huge Sainsbury's Savacentre, which is a good 20-30 min walk from the high street (depending which end) or a short bus ride away (Lower Sydenham Sainsburys on teh bus map pdf just to the right of the High Street).
The people are typically London IMHO, tolerant but not necessarily friendly. We're used to being around people of all races from all over the world, but most people seem to be suspicious of strangers. I've been living in Syd for 2 months now, there are two other residents in the building and I've only said hello to them in passing a couple of times. I can't imagine Yorkshire folk being that stand-offish (I lived near Leeds for 5yrs about 10 years ago)
Still there are always exceptions to the rule - I thought most Devon people were friendly until, on a weeks holiday in Tiverton, someone decided to spray paint my 6 month old car overnight.....
Hopefully if your London move comes off Mark, you'll encounter a few friendly people there are a few of us about!
bus info
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/gettingaround ... m-2250.pdf
That's a pdf of all routes that serve Sydenham, from Transport For London's website www.tfl.gov.uk
FYI trains from Sydenham also head south to Croydon (East Croydon or West Croydon) - East Croydon is a major train interchange with direct services to the south coast (Eastbourne, Brighton, Bognor, Portsmouth etc) as well as northbound to Watford, Luton, Bedford and, from next year, Milton Keynes. Not strictly useful for Mark's commute, but you never know, might fancy a leisure outing by train
Shops wise, Sydenham has pretty much everything you'd need to survive on a day-by-day basis, although for a big grocery shop, best bet is the huge Sainsbury's Savacentre, which is a good 20-30 min walk from the high street (depending which end) or a short bus ride away (Lower Sydenham Sainsburys on teh bus map pdf just to the right of the High Street).
The people are typically London IMHO, tolerant but not necessarily friendly. We're used to being around people of all races from all over the world, but most people seem to be suspicious of strangers. I've been living in Syd for 2 months now, there are two other residents in the building and I've only said hello to them in passing a couple of times. I can't imagine Yorkshire folk being that stand-offish (I lived near Leeds for 5yrs about 10 years ago)
Still there are always exceptions to the rule - I thought most Devon people were friendly until, on a weeks holiday in Tiverton, someone decided to spray paint my 6 month old car overnight.....
Hopefully if your London move comes off Mark, you'll encounter a few friendly people
there are a few of us about!....and incidentally, ALIB, I'd love to know about these easy links to Heathrow Airport! My mum lives just up the road from teh airport, and going to see her its either
Syd-London Bridge - tube to Paddington - Train - walk = 2.5 hours
bus to Croydon - x26 bus to heathrow - bus = about the same
South Circular Road, M4 - 60 mins on a good day (or at silly o clock in the morning) or as much as 180 mins on a bad day!!!
<EDIT> It's been pointed out to me that I might be thinking of getting to mummy's house instead of the airport - Paddington to Heathrow is a 15 mins trip to the heart of the airport, Paddington to where I go is more like a 25 min train ride and a 20 min walk.....don't wanna confuzzle people trying to get to Heathrow!!!!
Syd-London Bridge - tube to Paddington - Train - walk = 2.5 hours
bus to Croydon - x26 bus to heathrow - bus = about the same
South Circular Road, M4 - 60 mins on a good day (or at silly o clock in the morning) or as much as 180 mins on a bad day!!!
<EDIT> It's been pointed out to me that I might be thinking of getting to mummy's house instead of the airport - Paddington to Heathrow is a 15 mins trip to the heart of the airport, Paddington to where I go is more like a 25 min train ride and a 20 min walk.....don't wanna confuzzle people trying to get to Heathrow!!!!
Last edited by Barty on 14 Dec 2008 14:23, edited 1 time in total.
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bigbadwolf
- Posts: 726
- Joined: 7 Jan 2008 21:21
- Location: Forest Hill and Sydenham
For your commute to Liverpool Street you're looking at a train to London Bridge, which takes 15-20 minutes, then a short tube journey (just one stop on each of the Northern and Central lines) to get to Liverpool Street. Alternatively, Liverpool Street is about a tewnty-minute walk from London Bridge. I commute to Canary Wharf, usually by bicycle, but on the odd occasion that I use the train to get to work, it's fine - takes about forty minutes.
That all changes in 2010 when the East London line extension arrives in Sydenham - you'll be looking at probably a half-hour train journey direct from Sydenham to Shoreditch High Street.
For getting home after a night in town, there's a bus that runs half-hourly through the night and takes about half an hour to get to Sydenham from Waterloo. It also calls at Oxford Circus and Aldwych prior to picking up at Waterloo.
As for Sydenham's high street, well it isn't St John's Wood, but it's adequate. There are a few nice places to grab a coffee and a bite to eat, a couple of average pubs, a decent curry house and a nice Italian restaurant. Shopping-wise, there's an excellent book shop and a well-stocked DIY store, a small Somerfield and a huge Sainsbury's, but not much else. Having said that, it has most of my needs covered - if I suddenly realise that I need something, there's usually somewhere on the high street that will stock it. If I want to buy nice clothes or get my hair cut, I'll go into central London.
I'm 27 and I think Sydenham's a perfectly nice place to live. The night life isn't going to set your world on fire, but I find that, day-to-day, it has my needs covered.
That all changes in 2010 when the East London line extension arrives in Sydenham - you'll be looking at probably a half-hour train journey direct from Sydenham to Shoreditch High Street.
For getting home after a night in town, there's a bus that runs half-hourly through the night and takes about half an hour to get to Sydenham from Waterloo. It also calls at Oxford Circus and Aldwych prior to picking up at Waterloo.
As for Sydenham's high street, well it isn't St John's Wood, but it's adequate. There are a few nice places to grab a coffee and a bite to eat, a couple of average pubs, a decent curry house and a nice Italian restaurant. Shopping-wise, there's an excellent book shop and a well-stocked DIY store, a small Somerfield and a huge Sainsbury's, but not much else. Having said that, it has most of my needs covered - if I suddenly realise that I need something, there's usually somewhere on the high street that will stock it. If I want to buy nice clothes or get my hair cut, I'll go into central London.
I'm 27 and I think Sydenham's a perfectly nice place to live. The night life isn't going to set your world on fire, but I find that, day-to-day, it has my needs covered.
I used to live in Devon and now live in Sydenham.
I like it here. It's easy to get out of London, has great parks, there is a lot of housing that hasn't been converted into flats and you get a lot of house for your money. Transport links are good and will get better with the East London Line. There is a feeling of community here, and while the high street overall looks shabby and there isn't great variety, there is a great bookshop, general store, diy shop, a few good cafe's, a deli (ish), some good pubs, a good pizza place and one or two good fruit and veg places.
There are lots of plans for the future and next year there will be the first of what hopefully will be an annual event: The Sydenham Arts Festival.
It's nice walking down the high street and saying hi to people you know.
I like it here. It's easy to get out of London, has great parks, there is a lot of housing that hasn't been converted into flats and you get a lot of house for your money. Transport links are good and will get better with the East London Line. There is a feeling of community here, and while the high street overall looks shabby and there isn't great variety, there is a great bookshop, general store, diy shop, a few good cafe's, a deli (ish), some good pubs, a good pizza place and one or two good fruit and veg places.
There are lots of plans for the future and next year there will be the first of what hopefully will be an annual event: The Sydenham Arts Festival.
It's nice walking down the high street and saying hi to people you know.
Ditto the above really. I enjoy living here - gets you quickly into Charing Cross and the South bank for galleries etc; the High street for its range of bars/pubs, nice cafes, some good restaurants, a treat of a bookshop; one or two ok clothes shops; the friendliest dry cleaners and shoesmith. Good luck with your move 
.
.Moving to Sydenham
I haven't had the same not-friendly experience. My neighbours are really lovely and many knocked and introduced themselves to us within a few days of moving here, two years ago. I socialise with many of them now.
Don't forget the already establised Sydenham International Music festival. We took our daughter to a lovely classical music event just for children at the lovely St Barts church last year as part of the event. There is a lot going on here and it is not far to find other things to do either in Dulwich, Greenwich or town.
Don't forget the already establised Sydenham International Music festival. We took our daughter to a lovely classical music event just for children at the lovely St Barts church last year as part of the event. There is a lot going on here and it is not far to find other things to do either in Dulwich, Greenwich or town.
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paultreacy
- Posts: 487
- Joined: 10 Jun 2008 17:40
- Location: Lawrie Park Road
New to Sydenham
My family and I are new to Sydenham. We moved here from Manhattan, NYC in August. Sure there are aspects of Sydenham that could really do with a polish but that's true of anywhere.
We live just by Crystal Palace Park which is just brilliant. It's a real gem. Huge, mysterious and playful. The cafe in the park is dreadful but the London Development Agency has recently approved a £67m makeover for the park and it's an ambitious and exciting plan.
The superb sporting facilities at the National Sports Center are hugely underutilized, unfortunately. But that appears to be changing. The swimming pool is very good and the 50meter Olympic pool and diving center will be re-opening in April, apparently.
Sugahill cafe is excellent. It's also a gallery and has free WiFi. Blue Mountain is pleasant enough too. The High Street is also due a makeover and that is expected to start soon.
The other night I went for a couple of pints with some of the area dads and had a brilliant time. There's a great community feel to Sydenham, I feel. I'm very much looking forward to settling in here more thoroughly and establishing myself in the community.
The Sydenham Music Festival will evolve quite substantially this year, 2009, seems to me as it morphs into Sydenham Arts Festival. Or have I got that wrong? Are they to be two separate affairs? Anyway, visual arts will feature prominently this July.
As regards pubs, the Dolphin is a terrific spot. Spacious and relaxing with good service.
Transport services to central London and out towards Croydon and beyond, are excellent.
If I think of anything else, I'll report back.
SydenhamShots
We live just by Crystal Palace Park which is just brilliant. It's a real gem. Huge, mysterious and playful. The cafe in the park is dreadful but the London Development Agency has recently approved a £67m makeover for the park and it's an ambitious and exciting plan.
The superb sporting facilities at the National Sports Center are hugely underutilized, unfortunately. But that appears to be changing. The swimming pool is very good and the 50meter Olympic pool and diving center will be re-opening in April, apparently.
Sugahill cafe is excellent. It's also a gallery and has free WiFi. Blue Mountain is pleasant enough too. The High Street is also due a makeover and that is expected to start soon.
The other night I went for a couple of pints with some of the area dads and had a brilliant time. There's a great community feel to Sydenham, I feel. I'm very much looking forward to settling in here more thoroughly and establishing myself in the community.
The Sydenham Music Festival will evolve quite substantially this year, 2009, seems to me as it morphs into Sydenham Arts Festival. Or have I got that wrong? Are they to be two separate affairs? Anyway, visual arts will feature prominently this July.
As regards pubs, the Dolphin is a terrific spot. Spacious and relaxing with good service.
Transport services to central London and out towards Croydon and beyond, are excellent.
If I think of anything else, I'll report back.
SydenhamShots
Re: so what is it like, living in Sydenham?
Hi Mark, we all know that people are the same wherever we go, there is good and bad in everyone, and we learn to live and we learn to give each other what we need to survive, together alive.remarked wrote:Hi,
I'm Mark, currently living in Devon but looking to relocate to London. Everything I've seen about Sydenham looks pretty nice, but what is it really like e.g. location, transport links (I need to get to Liverpool Street each day), people, cafe's, culture, pubs, spaces etc..?
I'd appreciate your feedback.
Thanks
Amen.
And check out those green parrot thingys in Cator Park!
SQUARRRKKK they go, SQUAAAARRRRRK!!!
Awesome.