Catford is a predominately residential area with wide, tree-lined streets and attractive Victorian and Edwardian properties. These traits could make for a very expensive place to live, but Catford remains (relatively) affordable - perhaps because it is some distance from Central London and lacks a Tube station, but despite those facts, it is not a poorly-connected area. Commuters benefit from the four rail stations within reach. Families are drawn to the area for the same reasons, in addition to the good schools and access to green space. Though regeneration of the town centre is long awaited, and there are some issues with traffic, Catford represents a good-value London home.
Catford is a residential area with a fair range of independent shops. The town centre is due for regeneration, and there are plans for redevelopment in the area, which is plagued by the South Circular's traffic. Families often decide to move out to the countryside when their children reach secondary school age, in search of options like Kent's grammar schools.
Catford is a safe place to live, and is rated as having average crime by the Met police. The wider surrounding area also has average crime. In 2014/2015, however, the crime rate and violence against the person rate in the area were both somewhat higher than in London overall.
Parking in this area can be somewhat difficult, in part because of the traffic congestion. The rate of car ownership here is a bit low for London, at a little over one car for every two households. Road links are perhaps too good - the South Circular makes Catford into a busy roundabout, running straight through its centre and leading to congestion.
Catford has a good variety of independent restaurants and pubs. You'll have to take advantage of the area's fairly good transport links for anything beyond that.
Housing in Catford is varied, but includes many Victorian and Edwardian homes with multiple bedrooms which would be suitable for families. There is good access to green and open space in Catford, with the Forster Memorial Park, Mountsfield Park, and Ladywell Fields offering walking paths, woodland, and sport and entertainment facilities. There is also the Waterlink Way, a riverside walking and cycling route running through Ladywell Fields from Sydenham to the Thames. Schools, particularly primary schools, are generally good, and there are good options for a state comprehensive and a private school- however, many families do move out to Kent for the grammar schools once their children reach secondary school age. The percentage of residents who are children aged 0-15 is slightly high in this area.
Catford property includes many spacious Victorian and Edwardian homes that would be suitable for pets. There is good access to green and open space in Catford, with the Forster Memorial Park, Mountsfield Park, and Ladywell Fields offering many acres of walking paths and woodland. There is also the Waterlink Way, a riverside route running through Ladywell Fields from Sydenham to the Thames.
Catford is in Zone 3 and is served by four rail stations: Catford Bridge, Catford, Bellingham, and Hither Green stations offer links to London Bridge, St Pancras, Charing Cross, and Cannon Street. It is easy to connect to the DLR at Lewisham, or the Tube at Elephant & Castle, Blackfriars, and Farringdon. The area is well served by buses, and road links are perhaps too good - the South Circular makes Catford into a busy roundabout, running straight through its centre and leading to congestion. The Waterlink Way offers a good pedestrian and cycle route to the Thames.