You thought of David Beckham didn’t you? So did I, it is nothing to be ashamed of…embrace it. Beckenham is a traditional London suburb – to the South East of the capital – with pleasant tree lined streets, Edwardian houses and the vague feeling it was once a village before London expanded like Eric Pickle’s waistband.
I guess it is Kent at heart, but London in outlook. And wait for it, it’s cheap. Not Aldi prices of course, but just about affordable to a normal household, by which I mean two people working 85 hours each a week.
Have a look around the Park Langley conservation area. There are still cheaper houses to be found in the centre around Cedars Road and Queens Road. The main high street has enough pubs and restaurants (chains and a few independents) to keep you fed and watered.
Famous for
David Bowie grew up around there and only left in early 70’s and Starman (sorry) David Haye moved there in 2010…allegedly
Positives
Safe, cheap (ish) and easy to get to central London. That ticks most people’s boxes.
Negatives
It is the burbs, there is no getting away from it. It is doubtful you would bump into Bowie in the Beckenham Prezzo these days. Also, if you miss the last train from town the taxi home will sting you.
Transport Links
There are three stations – Beckenham Junction, Beckenham Hill, New Beckenham – plus a tram to Croydon. Gets you into town regularly; if a little lengthy.
Schools
Worsley Bridge, St Mary’s Catholic, Clare House and Balgowan are all “good”, says Ofsted. Secondaries: the Harris Academy Bromley and the Harris Academy Beckenham are both good.
Drink/Eat
Patricks Irish bar is good for sport. I got so drunk in there once; I forgot where I was and woke up in a dorm room, in a traveller hostel in Crystal Palace…but that really is another story.
There are good Turkish grillhouses such as Kemer and Raggio’s. Agra does a decent curry.
Property All properties correct via www.zoopla.co.uk on 1st October 2014
To buy £400,000 Three bedroom ground floor maisonette with front gardens.
To buy properties in Beckenham click here
To rent £1,225 pcm (£283 pw) A newly decorated ground floor 2 bedroom flat is now available to rent with a sunny private balcony that overlooks the gardens.
To rent properties in Beckenham click here
Photocredit Wikipedia
