Camberwell - what is it like to live there?

[Maggot]

Maggot,

Problem is the rich/poor mix isn't balanced in Camberwell IMHO. I mean around the Camberwell Grove area where there is streets of fine Million Pound Georgian Terraces/Detached/Semi's, you do not see a poor person in sight, it's not as if you have the kids from those rich families mingling with the estate kids.

It's like that everywhere.

In fact if anything, and speaking from knowledge about friends who live/have been brought up in the area...I hear there is a lot of resentment from the poor and working class towards the rich.

This happens everywhere too. Show me a place where the poor don't resent the rich.

Finally, when I was talking about choices...I meant choices for people who I wouldn't bracket either poor or rich...for example you can pay what 250K for a 2 bed flat in say Lilford Road or Flaxman Road...but could probably also pay the same for flats in many streets in Brixton, Herne Hill or Streatham...places that I would say are a lot more desirable than those mentioned parts of Camberwell.

Why are brixton, Herne Hill and Streatham more desireable? I'd rather live in Camberwell than Streatham.

 

[Monkeynuts]

Your Resident Pedant Says...

...it's the East Dulwich Estate.

Denmark Hill considered as an area is quite pleasant. The estate is not so pleasant. I hear mixed reports but think it is probably not a no-go area, but not somewhere one should rush to live either.

Although I really shouldn't have , I found much of this article amusing:

http://icsouthlondon.icnetwork.co.u...me-and-shame-asbo-yobs-for-you-name_page.html

...especially where the asboids stood accused of "gay hate" abuse by calling someone a "lanky batty man".

 

[suzee blue cheese]

We recently moved to Nunhead, top of Peckham Rye. Plenty of trees, views and green bits with One Tree Hill, Brenchley Gardens, Telegraph Hill, Nunhead Cemetery nature reserve, the grass covered reservoir, 54 acres of Peckham Rye park and then there's the Rye itself. The air is good. These are the things I want on my doorstep, but that's me.

I had a big thing about not living anywhere with no tube. However, it only takes me about 10 mins longer to get into work in the morning. Transport into town: 343/484/P12 along tree-lined streets to Peckham Rye/Nunhead or New Cross Gate from where is @ 15 mins if that direct into Blackfriars/London Bridge/Victoria. Down by the Rye is the trusty ol' 37, 15 mins and you're in Brixton..

It's not great for shops as in there's no supermarket but it's only 15 mins or so on the bus to Lewisham and is easy enough to stop off in the big Sainsbury's if we come back via New Cross Gate. The three corner shops sort us for anything we've run out of.

Schools? I don't know, I don't have kids. But isn't Haberdashers Aske supposed to be OK.

 

[Monkeynuts]

This is not the "Big Up Nunhead" thread...

...so take your cheerleading for that poorly connected and supermarketless 'hood elsewhere

 

[suzee blue cheese]

Oh the green, green grass of home..

 

[Cowley]

It's like that everywhere.

This happens everywhere too. Show me a place where the poor don't resent the rich.


Why are brixton, Herne Hill and Streatham more desireable? I'd rather live in Camberwell than Streatham.

It's not really like this everywhere, the divide in Camberwell is a lot greater than any other part of South London IMHO. Maybe parts of Battersea could claim to have such a huge divide but certainly not many other places. Yes you have your posh parts in Stockwell, Peckham, Brixton, Herne Hill & Clapham...hey you have posh parts of pretty much any place in South London...but the divide isn't as big in these mentioned places as it is in Camberwell. We're literally talking about parts of Camberwell where folks won't walk around and parts which look like Millionaires row, that's how big the divide is. The Myatts Field is another fine example of the lopsidedness in Camberwell...some of the Streets around there are beautiful....lined with huge houses...then you have the Myatts Field Estate

On the whole I'd say Herne Hill, Brixton & Streatham are a lot more desirable than Camberwell if your excluding Camberwell Grove. Yes there are not so nice parts of Herne Hill, Streatham & Brixton...but IMHO...they're not a patch on the Loughborough part of Camberwell or even around some of the parts of Camberwell around Southampton Way or even the parts up towards Albany Road.

The fact that Maudsley Hospital is in Camberwell makes it a lot less desirable than the mentioned places for a start.

I just personally think you have a lot more choices in Herne Hill, Brixton & Streatham as both a youngster and as a young family.

Obviously this is just my opinion.

 

[corporate whore]

You're joking of course

Yes, of course. It's shite, you should stay as far away as possible..

 

[H.Dot]

...it's the East Dulwich Estate.

is that the one which had the "Machete Maniac Butchers Baby" headline a few years back, or was that the Dog Kennel Estate? ( either way)

 

[H.Dot]

It's not really like this everywhere, the divide in Camberwell is a lot greater than any other part of South London IMHO. Maybe parts of Battersea could claim to have such a huge divide but certainly not many other places. Yes you have your posh parts in Stockwell, Peckham, Brixton, Herne Hill & Clapham...hey you have posh parts of pretty much any place in South London...but the divide isn't as big in these mentioned places as it is in Camberwell. We're literally talking about parts of Camberwell where folks won't walk around and parts which look like Millionaires row, that's how big the divide is. The Myatts Field is another fine example of the lopsidedness in Camberwell...some of the Streets around there are beautiful....lined with huge houses...then you have the Myatts Field Estate

On the whole I'd say Herne Hill, Brixton & Streatham are a lot more desirable than Camberwell if your excluding Camberwell Grove. Yes there are not so nice parts of Herne Hill, Streatham & Brixton...but IMHO...they're not a patch on the Loughborough part of Camberwell or even around some of the parts of Camberwell around Southampton Way or even the parts up towards Albany Road.

The fact that Maudsley Hospital is in Camberwell makes it a lot less desirable than the mentioned places for a start.

I just personally think you have a lot more choices in Herne Hill, Brixton & Streatham as both a youngster and as a young family.

Obviously this is just my opinion.

Have to agree with a lot of that, including the part about Battersea. I live between Winstanley Road and Falcon Road; the rich/poor divide isn't quite as bad as Battersea Park/Doddington Estate, Surrey Lane, or Battersea Rise/Clapham Junction Estate - round here it's more of a mix of estates, middle-class rows of terraces, and a few ex-council non-yuppie blocks like mine - but in the other areas I've mentioned, you've got some of the most deprived estates in south London next to some of the most expensive flats in south London, so it's understandable why many people would resent those who live in the overpriced properties.

 

[Monkeynuts]

is that the one which had the "Machete Maniac Butchers Baby" headline a few years back, or was that the Dog Kennel Estate? ( either way)

Dunno about the headline, but I think (going under various names) it's the same estate.

 

[Monkeynuts]

Have to agree with a lot of that, including the part about Battersea. I live between Winstanley Road and Falcon Road; the rich/poor divide isn't quite as bad as Battersea Park/Doddington Estate, Surrey Lane, or Battersea Rise/Clapham Junction Estate - round here it's more of a mix of estates, middle-class rows of terraces, and a few ex-council non-yuppie blocks like mine - but in the other areas I've mentioned, you've got some of the most deprived estates in south London next to some of the most expensive flats in south London, so it's understandable why many people would resent those who live in the overpriced properties.

Not quite sure what to make of the resentment. Like you say, I suppose it is understandable but I'm not too comfortable with extending that towards accepting it as an excuse. It's an ugly facet of human nature I suppose, and probably has its roots in jealousy. I'm not sure it would corrupt somebody who was not already inclined towards criminality.

I have had this debate before with friends from London. I come from another city where the divide is not so stark, and nor is it "in yer face" as the areasare more segregated. Hence I have tended to think it is best that way - although from the sort of middle class background where whilst not particularly well off I never really felt deprived of anything, I was quite shocked and uneasy at the ostentatious wealth on display on my first travels round London at 15-16, never having seen anything like it before.

A friend from Notting Hill disagrees with me and thinks it is best that rich and poor live cheek by jowl, arguing that it gives people something to aspire to rather than living in an environment where there is only deprivation and hopelessness all around. It worked for him I guess, from council flat to Cambridge and all that, but that's hardly typical.

I do tend to think that flaunted wealth can offend those less fortunate and this can lead to them seeking a slice by the means at their disposal.

Besides the incidental lack of the million pounds, this would be another factor againsy my living in Camberwell Grove, beautiful as it is. It is a bit too much of an island, cut off from other affluent areas and without the local facilities I guess you would want if you were that sort of person. I think the fairly self-contained nature of the area is possibly the aspect which distinguishes it from affleunt areas elsewhere in S London which are less easily delineated.