Hi
I'm in the process of buying a flat in Sydenham at the moment in the Peak Hill area - whenever I've been there the area's seemed ok to me and I was really looking forward to moving, but I've just read the recent posts about crime and people saying that the town centre's going downhill etc etc. I've also just come across an article about a convicted rapist living in the street I'm hoping to move into!
Am I making a massive mistake here or am I just being over-cautious? I've lived in Clapham North and the East End where there was a fair bit of crime, but these recent incidents have worried me quite a lot as I was under the impression that Sydenham was getting better!
Thanks for any advice / reassurance!
Buying flat in Peak Hill area - a good idea?
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welsh girl
- Posts: 7
- Joined: 18 Sep 2006 13:25
- Location: London
Hiya Welsh girl,I suppose when it comes to it there is crime to be seen in all areas,
I don't think Sydenham is any better or worse than any other.
I think that as long as you are careful when travelling home late etc and take the usual precautions then there shouldn't be any problem.
you will always get scum bags to spoil things but if it's any consolation my daughter is in her 20s and travels to/from London to work and socialise and in the main has not had a problem.
So welcome to Sydenham and i hope to see you on here in 30 years time like me!
Hi there welshgirl
I just moved to the area a few weeks ago, and like you was initially looking forward to it, then got a bit hesitant cos of reading about some recent incidents, and the area.. However in the three weeks or so since I moved I have completely fallen for Sydenham and its environs (keep meaning to update the North Vs South thread on this one..)
I feel as safe, if not safer, here as I did where I used to live and have the added benefit of the green open spaces, great views, friendly neighbours etc. Even the shops aren't as bad as I thought they were going to be. Sure, there are lots of posts here bemoaning the number of pound shops, nail bars etc and yes, Sydenham Road could definitely use a half decent pub, a nice cafe etc but when I actually used the high street for shopping, i soon realised it has everything i need.
Where I moved from in north London, the local Threshers recently put a new entry system in place for staff security - you now have to ring a buzzer to be allowed in, presumably as a result of an armed robbery or similar. I'll never know cos I didn't read anything about it, but does that make me safer there? This forum makes us more aware of the goings on, good and bad, than we might otherwise be, but surely the fact that there's a forum where people in the community come together to share information and ideas (as opposed to planning a mass exodus!) is a really positive thing?
Good luck with the move. There's nothing like getting into an area and exploring it for yourself and I hope you'll be raving about the place to anyone who'll listen within a few weeks!
I just moved to the area a few weeks ago, and like you was initially looking forward to it, then got a bit hesitant cos of reading about some recent incidents, and the area.. However in the three weeks or so since I moved I have completely fallen for Sydenham and its environs (keep meaning to update the North Vs South thread on this one..)
I feel as safe, if not safer, here as I did where I used to live and have the added benefit of the green open spaces, great views, friendly neighbours etc. Even the shops aren't as bad as I thought they were going to be. Sure, there are lots of posts here bemoaning the number of pound shops, nail bars etc and yes, Sydenham Road could definitely use a half decent pub, a nice cafe etc but when I actually used the high street for shopping, i soon realised it has everything i need.
Where I moved from in north London, the local Threshers recently put a new entry system in place for staff security - you now have to ring a buzzer to be allowed in, presumably as a result of an armed robbery or similar. I'll never know cos I didn't read anything about it, but does that make me safer there? This forum makes us more aware of the goings on, good and bad, than we might otherwise be, but surely the fact that there's a forum where people in the community come together to share information and ideas (as opposed to planning a mass exodus!) is a really positive thing?
Good luck with the move. There's nothing like getting into an area and exploring it for yourself and I hope you'll be raving about the place to anyone who'll listen within a few weeks!
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stringfellow
- Posts: 38
- Joined: 8 Aug 2005 17:43
Hi Welsh Girl
You'll be fine, Sydenham is as safe as anywhere I've ever lived, have been here almost a year and a half and it's fine.
Lots of people we know have started moving this way (we came here from Brockley initially as one of our friends moved here) now 4 or 5 others have followed with more to come.
Certainly one of the more friendly parts of south London.
Good luck with the move.
You'll be fine, Sydenham is as safe as anywhere I've ever lived, have been here almost a year and a half and it's fine.
Lots of people we know have started moving this way (we came here from Brockley initially as one of our friends moved here) now 4 or 5 others have followed with more to come.
Certainly one of the more friendly parts of south London.
Good luck with the move.
In a book called Sydenham and Forest Hill Past, I was reading about the history of Peak Hill; this is the oldest inhabited part of Upper Sydenham and is really quite interesting... In a nutshell, it apparently started out as 2 houses on the fringe of the common (covered most of Sydenham and Forest Hill at one time); one at the sharp turning along the highest point and one further eastwards towards Mayow Park. When the Croydon Canal was built, followed by the railway, these 2 houses became cut off from each other. A terrace of houses was then built along there with 2 detached buildings at each end, forming 11 houses down from that corner of Peak Hill towards Spring Hill and The Greyhound, via a ditch in the road that used to be a stream running from the edge of the common along the line of Westwood Hill adjoining the Pool River at Bell Green. The original house on this side of the railway became an Inn known as the Green Man and was either adapated into the terrace or demolished and replaced. And at one time, Building 3 was a pub called the Fox and Hounds (not the one in Kirkdale)! The site of the original building on the Mayow side--no longer considered to be part of Peak Hill--ended up becoming several dog kennels before they were demolished. Unfortunately, I don't think there's any photos of the original Peak Hill terrace, as it was demolished around the mid 1800s; do any stereoviews exist of Sydenham from around that time like they do for the Crystal Palace?
When I move back to Sydenham, I'm now actually thinking of finding a place in Peak Hill, too!
The site of the original building on the Mayow side--no longer considered to be part of Peak Hill--ended up becoming several dog kennels before they were demolished. Unfortunately, I don't think there's any photos of the original Peak Hill terrace, as it was demolished around the mid 1800s; do any stereoviews exist of Sydenham from around that time like they do for the Crystal Palace?When I move back to Sydenham, I'm now actually thinking of finding a place in Peak Hill, too!
In terms of safety I would take Sydenham over Clapham North or certain areas of the East End any day of the week!
I live close to Peak Hill and walk home from the station every day on my own, often on a late train, and have never had the least worry. I keep my wits about me same as I would anywhere in London, but I've found it a peaceful and friendly area to live.
I live close to Peak Hill and walk home from the station every day on my own, often on a late train, and have never had the least worry. I keep my wits about me same as I would anywhere in London, but I've found it a peaceful and friendly area to live.
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welsh girl
- Posts: 7
- Joined: 18 Sep 2006 13:25
- Location: London
Welcome to Sydenham,
I've lived in Sydenham almost 30 years and have never had a problem.
In fact. I have a house in Spain and I feel safer here in Sydenahm than I do over there.
My only advise is as you'd get anywhere in the UK.
1. Don't walk the streets late at night on your own, esp in unlit areas.
2. Keep your bag closely attached to you.
3. Don't have valuables on show.
4. Don't walk with headphones etc. as you can't hear what's going on around you.
Enjoy Sydenham, we are a nice bunch, really!
I've lived in Sydenham almost 30 years and have never had a problem.
In fact. I have a house in Spain and I feel safer here in Sydenahm than I do over there.
My only advise is as you'd get anywhere in the UK.
1. Don't walk the streets late at night on your own, esp in unlit areas.
2. Keep your bag closely attached to you.
3. Don't have valuables on show.
4. Don't walk with headphones etc. as you can't hear what's going on around you.
Enjoy Sydenham, we are a nice bunch, really!