What’s going for it? Don’t, don’t, don’t believe the hype. Or the opposite of hype, whatever that is. Streatham has a reputation. But so what. The reality is amazing. In the 1930s (geographically challenged) people called it the “West End of south London”. Streatham was glam. The High Road is still lined with art deco mansion blocks, former department stores and cinemas from the era of Clark Gable. This was the main route to London’s airport at Croydon and, flying being an expensive affair back then, the glitterati purred through in their Wolseleys en route for Deauville. You want more proof? Waitrose opened its first supermarket here! Huge efforts have been made to reverse the reputation for crime Streatham attracted in the 80s. It’s worked. The neighbourhood’s golden ages have left it with homes high on its hill that’d be the envy of Hampstead, but without the snobbery.
The case against It has rather a large road running through it, and we can’t do much about that. Let’s run with it. Turn it into a boulevard. Plant trees.
Well connected? Very. Trains: three stations connect you to central London: Streatham Hill, Streatham and Streatham Common. Peckham, Croydon, Dulwich are all easily reachable, too. Driving: you can reach the M25 in 40 minutes.
Schools Good. Primaries: many “good”, Henry Cavendish, Dunraven, Immanuel and St Andrew CofE, St Andrew’s Catholic and Woodmansterne “outstanding”. Secondaries: St Joseph’s College, Norbury Manor are “good”, Dunraven, Graveney, Bishop Thomas Grant Catholic “outstanding”.
Hang out at… Spoilt for choice. I’m fond of the coffee at Boyce da Roca, the Lebanese lunches at Beyrouths, doughnuts from Thompson deli and half a pound of cod from Fish Tale fishmongers.
Where to buy Streatham is long and straggly, the High Road following a ridge and roads falling down the valleys on either side. Homes are great; from late Victorian Arts and Crafts through fabulous Edwardians to art deco. Also mansion blocks on the High Road: noisy, but so elegant. Poshest are plush roads close to Tooting Bec Common, followed by the Telford Park estate, around Streatham Common, then Furzedown and Streatham Park. Streatham Vale is cheaper. Detacheds and town houses, £750,000-£3m. Semis, £500,000-£2m. Terraces and cottages, £450,000- £1.25m. Flats: £250,000-£800,000. Rentals: one-bed flat, £800-£1,500pcm; three-bed house, £1,500-£2,800pcm.
Bargain of the week Yes, I know it’s £895,000. But it’s a six-bedroom house. Needs modernisation. With oaksestateagents.com.
From the streets
Stephen Adamson “Favourite haunt: Pratts & Payne – a scruffy new-style pub in an old shop. Pet hate – the eternal traffic around St Leonard’s church.”
Caroline Kilgour “Brooks & Gao coffee house; Bravi Ragazzi pizza restaurant; and Tooting Bec Common, a quiet space, lovely for walking.”
Janet Abbott “Great local MP in Chuka Umunna.”
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Live in Kirkness?? and Orkney? Do you have a favourite haunt or a pet hate? If so, email lets.move@theguardian.com by Tuesday 17 January.
