Dulwich: Desirable and affordable London living

Background

Dulwich is situated in the London borough of Lewisham in the south of the city and all that the capital has to offer is easily within reach.

It accommodates the popular yet traditional setting of Dulwich Village as well as West Dulwich, which partially sits in Lambeth.

East Dulwich is a slightly more affordable part of the area but very desirable place to live, with the fashionable Lordship Lane that plays host to excellent shops and restaurants.

Property

The area is considered one of the more affluent parts of the city, which is reflected in the price of houses for potential buyers.

According to the latest figures from the Land Registry, the average price of a property in the London borough of Southwark stood at £351,988 in February 2010, representing an increase of 10.5 per cent since March 2009.

When broken down, the data reveals that the average cost of a detached house in Southwark could set people back £756,844, perhaps not great news for those on an average income.

In addition, semi-detached pads are worth £490,175, while a terraced abode is valued at £389,487 and a maisonette or flat could cost approximately £337,813, which is above the average price of a home across the city.

These figures could entice more people to consider property to rent in Dulwich.

A studio flat in the area will set people back as little as £780 a month on average, while a one-bedroom place costs £1,079, a two-bed pad £1,439 and a three-bed abode £1,508.

Transport

Dulwich is blessed with excellent transport links for those working in the centre of London.

Trains from West Dulwich railway station can reach London Victoria in as little as 12 minutes and there are morning connections from there to the city's Blackfriars terminal.

Local residents can also use East Dulwich station to travel to London Bridge, which is close to a recently built major office development near the River Thames. The same central destination is also 14 minutes from North Dulwich's mainline stop.

Commuters are also blessed with an array of bus routes to get around the city.

In addition, the south circular road offers easy access to both the M4 motorway for the south-west and Wales and the A2 for the port of Dover in Kent and its cross-Channel transport.

Amenities

The area accommodates plenty of shops and local attractions, such as Dulwich Park and the Picture Gallery.

Furthermore, given its proximity to the London's South Bank, attractions such as the Imperial War Museum and Tate Britain are in close proximity for residents and those looking for property to rent in Dulwich.

Nightlife in the area is available for all tastes, such as the Crown and Greyhound pub which has stood since the 1800s and includes author Charles Dickens, who was fond of Dulwich Village, as a former regular.

On the other hand, anyone who enjoys exotic beers and cocktails may opt to visit Liqourish in the popular Lordship Lane, which is also the destination for a local market at weekends.

If those do not take people's fancy, then there is the Uplands Tavern, Boho Bar or Hoopers, to name just a few possible pubs, bars and restaurants.

And with the bright lights of Central London practically on the doorstep, it is easy to see why people would be happy living in Dulwich.

Written by Charles Mackay

Published 26th April, 2010

© 2010 Estates IT Limited