What’S Penge Like?

[Bramleyboy]

We are thinking of moving to south London does anyone know what Penge is like? I know nothing about the area. Any advice please! Bramley.

[bednobs]

where are you currently?

[retrocop]

Not too bad but too close to Croydon and Mitcham which I advise you avoid like the plague. A retired pal of mine and his wife
ran a pub in Penge but he encountered the same grief as Mr Tim Martin of Weatherspoon . Both packed up and sought a quiet life elsewhere. No doubt someone will jump in and tell you their uncle ran a pub and that is par for the course. I would not live there by choice,
It is about 8-9 miles drive from my front door. 8-9 miles too close.

[Bramleyboy]

We live in too rural Wiltshire! B

[BANANASPLITS]

Like eastern Europe nowadays

[retrocop]

//We live in too rural Wiltshire! B//
I have lived and worked in London and it's boroughs all my life.
Believe me I have a house in the London Borough of Sutton and one in Dorset. I was bought up in NW London and have worked all over London. I was in Dorset last weekend and certain foodstuffs I required seemed unobtainable.I felt it was akin to wartime rationing.
I lived in Colliers Wood in 1980 but left as soon as we were expecting our first child.The schools are now dreadful. My eldest son tells me of an old friend who still lives in Merton. His kiddy attends a school, apparently, that has one teacher per subject plus 3 TA's who are hired as interpreters.In a one hour lesson in Geography e.,g. this English speaking child gets 15 min tuition on the subject by the time the TA's have translated the subject. Give me the sticks any day.

[Baldric]

Loads of good schools, good Pubs and friendly people in HB, look forward to seeing you.

[retrocop]

If you like the failed diversity iniative and feeling like a stranger in your own country then you will feel welcome. My eldest upped sticks and went SW from London so his children could get a decent education in a fantastic little village school .They are thriving and living a better healthier life for the move.
You only have to read Emmies posts,a Londoner all her life, and she appears to share the same disgust and disappointment as I do how London maps out.

[shoota]

Have you considered Bromley Bramley?

[retrocop]

Bromley is almost adjacent to Penge Shoota. The only civilisation I found in the London Borough of Bromley was The Warren" and that was exciting when our Team played Rugby in nearby clubs. :-)

[silliemillie]

Why did you choose Penge?

[tonyav]

Bramleyboy Question AuthorWe live in too rural Wiltshire! B

Stick to Wiltshire if I was you, Bramleyboy.

[retrocop]

I second that

[rowanwitch]

South West London is nicer but a lot more expensive. Lots of nice places to eat. I would never go back to London though. I moved to Birmingham 23 years ago and it's a much nicer city. Family still in Battersea and Tooting. Battersea is Posey, Tooting is very 'diverse'

[Bramleyboy]

I only thought of Penge because property is cheaper! I realise there are reasons for this. I was only toying with the idea as three if my fiur children are in London and I rarely see the. Bramley

[rowanwitch]

How about somewhere more on the outskirts, Orpington maybe, or just for a laugh Pratts Bottom

[Bramleyboy]

Never heard from of Pratts Bottom! Where is it? Bramley

[New Judge]

"I only thought of Penge because property is cheaper!..."

And there's a very good reason! Penge is about as good as it sounds.

[MallyJ]

I suggest you book into a b and b or a Premier Inn for a few days and spend time actually being there, looking at the different areas of Penge and see ing what is like in the evenings...you can't make a decision on the advice of strangers who may or may not have current knowledge and who may have prejudices that you don't share. Look round, read the local newspaper and make up your own mind.

[rowanwitch]

Pratts Bottom is near Orpington, it's such a great line to have in your address, I agree with the advice to stay in an area though. Ok driving through but you need to see how safe you feel walking round a place at night. Look up the crime figures and think about things like home and car insurance as some areas it's ridiculously expensive.

[Bramleyboy]

Thank you all for your input. It would be unfair to pick a Best Answer! You’ve all told me what I wanted to know. Back to the drawing board.......! Bramley