For those commuting to the Strand from Champion Hill you can take the 68 bus and it takes about 30 minutes.
Champion Hill, the road itself, is really nice. The immediate surrounding area is decent but when you go beyond the hospital it is not nice.
When I lived there I knew several people who were robbed or nearly robbed and one guy actually got stabbed in a robbery gone wrong. Just be on your guard and be sensible.
It is a shame they demolished the old halls and got rid of the dining hall.