West Dulwich is a relaxed part of London, with many beautiful parks and spacious homes combined with good, fast transport links into Central London. The area has a strong sense of community, with many local activities and events, and a fairly high percentage of children living here. With large homes, great green spaces, and very exceptional schools, it's easy to see what attracts families - while the great transport links, nice pubs, and independent shops may be the bigger draw for the young professionals who call the area home. Either way, West Dulwich has something for everyone.
West Dulwich has a strong sense of community. The West Dulwich forum is a community-run site for discussing matters of local interest and arranging activities. There's a wide range of independent and locally-owned shops. Annually, the Dulwich Festival offers a range of events and exhibitions.
West Dulwich is a safe place to live. The Met police rate the area and its surroundings as having average crime, and the 2014/2015 crime rate and violence against the person rate were both a bit lower than the overall London rates.
Parking in this area is not generally a major issue. The rate of car ownership in this area is just slightly lower than the London rate, at about three cars for every four households. Road links, including the South Circular, are fairly good.
There is an assortment of nice restaurants and pubs in West Dulwich, including some historic properties like the Georgian Belair House. The range expands with the inclusion of other parts of Dulwich, and Brixton - a short bus ride away - can fill in the remaining gaps.
The range of property available in West Dulwich is wide, and includes many homes that would be exceptionally suitable for families - especially the 3-4 bed Sixties townhouses and 5-6 bed detached Twenties houses. Dulwich Park, Belair Park, Brockwell Park, and Norwood Park are all within easy reach of West Dulwich, offering many acres of aplay spaces, a lido and footpaths. Dulwich's famously good schools are one of the main reasons people want to move here. There are several truly excellent state schools, both state and private, to choose from here - schools that have produced many talented celebrities. The percentage of children living in this area is slightly high for London.
West Dulwich is a good place to look for a home suitable for pets, with a range from flats to large detached houses. There's also no shortage of green space in the area, with Dulwich Park, Belair Park, Brockwell Park, and Norwood Park surrounding the neighbourhood's homes.
West Dulwich is located in Zone 3 and is without a Tube station, but there are several rail stations in the area. West Dulwich station and Sydenham Hill are served by Thameslink and Southeastern trains, Tulse Hill is served by Southern and Thameslink, and West Norwood is served by Southern. Trains from West Dulwich reach Victoria in under a quarter of an hour. Road links, including the South Circular, are fairly good - and the area is well-served by local buses.