Where we live has nothing to do with me. Actually, that’s not true: I found the house, but the reason we have a house in Bromley is down to a random conversation DH had with one of the boys at work one day way back when we were first dating. He had just finished doing up a flat he bought in Blackheath and we had been together for a couple of months, enjoying weekends together having breakfast on the balcony and lunches in the pub. He casually mentioned one weekend (I lived and worked in Surrey during the week) that he’d heard Bromley was a good place to live.
A bus journey from Lewisham to the largest London borough and we were looking in Estate Agents’ windows for somewhere for him to live. At least I assumed it was him. A few weeks into our search and he started calling it ‘our house’, which was when I realised he must have had the conversation in his head so many times that he forgot to ask me to move in with him.
And that was it- nine months after first meeting in person (we met online) we moved into our first home together. And we still stand by our decision, moving only a few minutes from our first house to DG Manor just after PD was born. DH sometimes talks hypothetically about moving out to the Beach House, but I stand firm. Living in Bromley works so well for us. We are a few minutes’ walk from the station (Zone 5 for those of you who care about London Transport Zones– which means no season ticket) which offers frequent trains into City Thameslink (25 minutes) and London Victoria (13 minutes). DH’s journey to work can be done on foot at the other end, and it’s easy for me to get into London for dinner with friends after The Girls are in bed, or to see one of the many shows and exhibitions that London has to offer.
Closer to home we have an excellent shopping centre, replete with standard high street stores, plenty of eateries to suit every budget, from Nando’s to Chapter One. I can walk to Waitrose, a local Post Office and every child-centred event you could want. Our local primary school is a five-minute stroll, though we have chosen to go down the Private route. There are an excellent number of good schools, State or Private in the area, though that certainly wasn’t a concern when we moved. I am 10 minutes from our local hospital, which has proved more useful than I would like. And I can drive to half-a-dozen local areas to trawl their charity shops in ten minutes.
The transport links are excellent- trains go into London but also out, to Sevenoaks, Dover and Ramsgate. We are 15 minutes drive from the M25, M2 and M20, so getting out of London to visit relatives is simple, as is getting to the coast which is about an hour away. We can be in the countryside in 10 minutes, enjoying one of dozens of picturesque pubs, beautiful views and country walks.
We genuinely believe we have the best of everything here. We got so much more space for our money that we would have done had we stayed in Blackheath. We have built up a circle of local friends for playdates, and parties and there are lots of after-school clubs that our children can join in when they are older (DH has already scoped out the Hockey Clubs) and we look forward to filling our weekends with matches and parties and the other stuff that comes with growing children. Bromley is a wonderful place to raise them and I can’t imagine living anywere else.
I’m hoping this helps Ella at Notes from Home who is considering finding a new place to live.
Thanks for the wonderful post.. just got a new job with offices in Bromley, so looking to rent here near Mason’s Hill, 5 mins walking distance from Bromley South station.. I hope this is a good area and your post certainly give us the reassurance. The only real concern is with the primary schools catchment areas that are sooo narrow, so all fingers crossed that it works out because ours will be a in-year admission to 2013 reception class…. cheers.
Hi , just came across your blog when I googled “is Bromley a good area to live in for a family!” We’re moving from Hong Kong and very new to London. We have narrowed down on Bromley because of reasons you listed – seemed nicer and lively and very economical compared to Surrey and London. Just wondering if you could let me know about the Farringtons school in Chislehurst . Heard its nice but not academic – not that I am looking for a highly academic one but yes definitely a place that does provide a sound academic experience for the money I am going to be spending on it. We did go for a school tour and it seemed a nice place – warm and friendly. Ousted rating is good overall though not outstanding . Would appreciate any views in this regard. Many thanks Amina
Hurray for South East London. As a near neighbour (Herne Hill) I have to agree that it’s a great place. See you around!
Loving the absent mindedness in not asking you to move in. I think my husband was a bit the same when he concocted 10 reasons for me to present to my boss , why I should go self-employed and subsequently be able to live anywhere, and work remotely. Oh yes including his house!
Also loving that he had the conversation in his head first, but Bromley also sounds really nice…
I got to you through the Friday Club linky. I also grew up in outer London and I agree – it did seem to offer everything.
Another post that makes me want to move! It sounds lovely – and my husband is looking at the local schools right now 🙂
Sounds like a great place to be!Always good to be able to walk to waitrose! x
I love that he had that conversation in his head 🙂
That sounds like a lovely place to live x x
I’m over in Sunny Sidcup and I know exactly what you mean. It’s great to have the options of London, the coast, the country, Bluewater, and loads to do for kids. You can’t beat it 🙂