Moving to South East London

[Lalaluna]

Hi everyone!

I was wondering if I could ask for some advice on an area to live in South East London. I will be moving from Leeds for a job at Lewisham hospital. I dont know London very well but Im really excited about the prospect of moving down! However when I went for my interview I wasn't sure if Lewisham itself was the right fit for me and although nice enough area I really couldnt see myself living there...
I was wondering if anyone couls suggest an area around Lewisham which may fit me better?

I am a 29 year old female, single and would like to live somewhere with a buzz/where there's a lot to do - pubs/restaurants/comedy/live music but where you can also get to central London quite easily.. so preferrebly near a train/tube.

I had heard Bromley was nice and also went for a look around there, it seemed really nice but possibly more of a family/settled down vibe?

Thank you so much
L X

Clapham to Lewisham would not be easy!!! Having lived in one with family in the other, it's not a journey I'd want to do twice a day, either driving or public transport!

Greenwich to Lewisham should be fine for a commute. Lots of people would be travelling in the opposite direction on the train, eg to Canary Wharf for work. Depending on where you are, you could possibly walk.

I'd recommend Brockley, Honor Oak and Nunhead as areas close by that have a nice feel and enough stuff going on.

Bromley feels a bit far and a bit boring in comparison to some other areas mentioned.

Camberwell is lovely but a bit grittier even in the bits with nice shops/restaurants- feels more like central london. A plus for many people but not for everyone!

If this was me I'd probably go for Greenwich to live

Greenwich is on the DLR which goes to Lewisham (terminus) in around 4 stops

You could either then take a bus or the overground train one stop from Lewisham to Ladywell then walk across the park to the hospital, many of the medical/nursing do this

Congrats on the new job and welcome to Lewisham 😀

As TurquoiseDress said you can get DLR from Greenwich or Cutty Sark stations to Lewisham and then switch to a train for 1 stop down to Ladywell and walk through park to back of hospital

Or there are many buses from outside station to front of hospital on Lewisham High Street. The one-way system round Lewisham can get snarled up at busy times.

If you like walking or cycling there is a nice route called the Waterlink Way from Deptford which you could join at Lewisham station to the hospital: https://lewisham.gov.uk/inmyarea/sport/get-active/walking/waterlink-way (I would avoid Brookmill Park when dark and use road instead, only relevant if you're going up to Deptford Bridge.)

Have a look at TfL website or Google Maps public transport layer for details of bus routes from other areas of Greenwich, there is only the 1 direct bus (199) from Greenwich to Ladywell.

Congrats on the job and Greenwich has lots of buses going into Lewisham. Can be busy with school kids during rush hours so just need to plan journey ahead and get out early.
I work at the hospital and sometimes jump on the bus from Woolwich direction and it's easy enough journey.

Balham

I think people would be travelling largely in the opposite direction to you.

But OP as someone in your 20s, I think Peckham would be better. Greenwich does have a lot of stuff going on, Peckham has a much more cool vibe to it with more interesting buzz around it. I’d suggest checking out both areas properly before you decide. I think you’d more easily find friends and social stuff to meet new people in Peckham.

I live in Greenwich but always had wanted to be in either Bermondsey or Peckham, knowing both of those areas well.

Greenwich though is certainly more aesthetically pleasing than Peckham.

Feel free to ask me any questions, I’ve lived around a lot of South London and understand the different vibes of each bit!

I think the main factor for consideration is surely price.
For instance, Hither Green likely to be more affordable than Greenwich.

Brockley would be great - incredibly ready to get everywhere, really lovely area and walkable to Lewisham

I would add Catford for lower priced accommodation and easily walkable to Lewisham Hospital. Plenty of trains going towards town and some of the trendier (hence more expensive) places like Nunhead, Peckham, Camberwell etc.

Would also add you wont need a car!

Thank you so much everyone!! I'm a bit torn between a beautiful house in Blackheath, sharing with 5 others (not met them) and sharing with one other person in Greenwich.. any thoughts about which place might be best?

i would say greenwich but depends where abouts in greenwich? some parts nice some not..

Thank you. It'd be near MacMillian student village x

I would choose Greenwich in that case. Near the DLR which is great for lewisham. Near Greenwih village which is nice, also good transport links are super close to Deptford (check out deptford market yard) which is really cool and fun.

really depends where in each area (I’ve lived in both). Also what time are you finishing work? Working nights or weekends? Will you have much of a social hub at work (eg a dr?) . Lots of the drs cycle to work at lewisham hospital from both greenwich and Blackheath (I only say that as I’m friends with many from dc school. For all I know all the lab techs cycle too but I don’t know any!).

I also think living in a house of 2 vs a house of 6 is a massive difference : that’s the main thing as they’re very different vibes.

for wet and cold weather I’d go for Blackheath as it’ll (likely) be closer to the hospital, unless you’re in west greenwich OR by the dlr.

Just reminded myself where Rachel McMillan is: that’s more Deptford than Greenwich. Lots of bars in Deptford. And you’re handy to bus, dlr and cycling which will be quicker : it’s still a solid 15 min walk to the hospital from lewisham station

So my final vote (!) is the house share with one other person.

there is also a bus service to the hospital outside DLR and from various places around greenwich (im sure blackheath too)

Bromley is lovely but definitely more suburban/family vibes.

Greenwich or blackheath would fit what you're looking for but are very expensive.

If you like blackheath, you could move further up the road to lee green... slightly more affordable, close to Lewisham hospital and you can walk to blackheath

Take the one in Deptford, that's a really buzzy area with great bars and restaurants

I would concur with all the suggestions around Greenwich, including Deptford, Brockley and Blackheath. I would also suggest around New Cross, which has a studenty vibe and good connections to Lewisham, but is also on the tube for going out in town. As regards your commute, if you are further into London and are commuting out to Lewisham (travelling south or east), it shouldn't be too bad. Also, much as I love Peckham (lived here for over 20 years), I don't think it is an easy commute to Lewisham because the trains are infrequent.

House share with one.

House share with one.

Thanks you everyone!
im a bit stuck as the Greenwich share with 1 other person is actually better linked location wise for work but there's not much in it between there and Blackheath. I liked the Greenwich flat but Greenwich felt sooo busy when I visited, lots of tourists (although I visited on a weekend in August so assume its not always that busy?!)

I preferred the house in Blackheath as much bigger room but think there might be more to do in Greenwich? I don't know anyone in London so was initially drawn to having more housemates like in Blackheath share but actually with professional shares people might keep themselves to themselves anyway so might be better to be with one other person but in a busier place..