Moving to SE London -Advice needed!

[Carrotcake101]

Hi everyone

I'm looking to rent in SE London as I'll be moving down for work. I don't know London very well at all but excited to move down and ideally looking to live somewhere vibrant/buzzy but which also feels safe. Im single, and moving by myself and enjoy pubs/comedy/markets etc. I want to feel like I live in London so keen to not go somewhere which is more residential/family orientated

Good links to Lewisham (where I'll be working) and the center of London/Kings cross would be ideal, and tube access would be a bonus, although understand other transport methods can be just as good!)

Possible areas I've found so far from research are New cross/Peckham/ Brockley/ Greenwich and Bromley - but never been to any ofnthese areas so wasn't sure how they differed in terns of liveliness/ safety. Also open to any other suggestions of areas!

Thanks so much!
S x

What's your budget. My choice from your list would be Greenwich but near to the cutty sark side. Beckenham is also nice, East Dulwich, Blackheath.

Thank you! I was thinking around £1200/month without bills. Could possibly stretch a little more but dont want to go too much over x

Not Bromley.

Better for families, not good for your buzzy child-free lifestyle, unless budget dictates.

All the others: great.

Um... I'm normally this site's biggest cheerleader for some of the areas you mention but I'm not sure how well they'll suit you tbh.

Brockley - expensive and tends to be better for families. There are young single people thanks to Goldsmiths spillover from New Cross but they are a minority.

New Cross - bits of it fit the bill, other parts are really run down and a bit unpleasant imo (and I am there daily!).

Peckham - possibly, but then you have a longer commute to Lewisham and transport elsewhere is fine but not brilliant imo.

If you're working in Lewisham central perhaps a one bed flat in one of the new-ish high rises in Lewisham, around Lewisham station? Has amenities, probably more younger people, good for transport.

Otherwise Deptford around the Deptford Market Yard might suit - amenities, a few good pubs like the Royal Albert for jazz and comedy nights, good transport, can walk into Lewisham centra.

For 1400pcm you could get a studio or small flat in Islington, Kilburn, Camden and areas nearby without the travel costs if you don't need a larger flat, you'd be right in the centre of the buzz.

Young, single and buzzy - go for Peckham or New cross
Not so young, single and buzzy - go for Greenwich

don’t bother getting a studio in Islington or Camden! Those places have lost their soul.

Thank you all so much! I think the Islington/ Camden might be a bit too far a commute to Lewisham but I'll have a look at Peckham/New cross and Deptford - between these is there much difference in safety? Or things to do? If the areas aren't particularly safe, I might be best choosing Greenwich even if less buzzy, just with moving by myself

Thank you everyone, I really appreciate the advice

Camberwell! It's really well connected via Denmark Hill station and there are lots of nice places to eat, parks, art galleries etc. You can also get to the Northern line for KX from nearby Elephant & Castle.

I would choose Brockley or Forest Hill, or Lewisham itself so you have a quick walk or bus to work. I used to live there and it's obviously not like Islington or Camden but nice streets and I always felt safe. There are weekly markets, nice cafes, independent shops etc around Brockley. No tube but DLR or trains when you're going to Central London.

If you could find somewhere in Greenwich close to the DLR, that would be a quick route to Lewisham, but I think you will struggle on that budget to rent a 1 bed flat. Rents for one of the newer blocks are from min 1500 up towards 2000. The Deptford end would be cheaper. I wouldn't think Bromley would meet your criteria. It's much more suburban and can take quite a while to get back into central London.
Have you though about Lewisham itself? You have to pick your bit. Some areas are a bit grotty and then others bordering Blackheath and Greenwich are nicer. Lewisham rents would probably be cheaper than Greenwich. I don't know New Cross and Peckham so can't comment on those.

Of the areas you've mentioned, I would much prefer Brockley, Greenwich, or Bromley. New Cross is really run down as is most of Peckham. If safety is a concern to you, I would avoid Peckham like the plague, as well as Lewisham after work. Have you considered Forest Hill, Honor Oak, and Sydenham? Prices aren't too bad and they are all an easy commute to Lewisham with good links to London. East Dulwich is ok, but has suffered from over gentrification in recent years.

I agree with this . I have lived in the area for 30 years. Ahd I would not go to the places that @Growlybear83 has mentioned. 1200 is not much for quite abit of SE London

@Carrotcake101

Are you looking for a house or flat share, OP, or do you want to live on your own? The latter could be a bit tricky for £1200 a month.

Which field are you in, job-wise?

£1200 a month might only get you a (nice) house share or a studio flat. Lewisham central is fine as is Deptford - both urban and buzzy. Peckham also has a lot going on but I prefer Camberwell (bus to Lewisham but traffic can be a 'mare). Greenwich/Blackheath if you want a more staid environment. You can walk to Lewisham from either or get the bus/train. Greenwich and Blackheath are expensive areas though. Maybe also consider Crystal Palace? Has a lot of buzz and it's a bus ride to Lewisham.

If you're new to London, I'd recommend a house share really. Other people to go out with, socialise with and show you how things work in the city.

Crystal Palace is fab.

Lived in this area for many years and always felt pretty safe - Deptford is great, cheaper than Greenwich and away from the tourists in the summer. Maybe the Hither Green area of Lewisham if you can find somewhere near the station. Being honest, I always felt safest in SE London in the busiest areas, walking home down quiet residential roads at night was when I felt most vulnerable so bear this in mind.

Greenwich and Blackheath are really expensive. I'd look at New Cross or Deptford , more affordable and buzzy. Bits of New Cross are a bit rough but there's a lot of students and good pubs/nightlife.

Bloody long way from Lewisham tho

Crystal Palace is lovely and easy to get to Lewisham

Double check your budget before you get excited about areas.

I’ve just had a look what’s available in Peckham for 1200, and there are a few flats. But you really, really wouldn’t want to live in them.

Not easy to get from CP to Lewisham, unless you want to sit on a 122 bus for 40+ minutes in rush hour.

I live in Peckham / East Dulwich and love it.. but I went out in Deptford for the first time last week and really loved it. Has all the things you are looking for and v easy for Lewisham. If you had a young family I would have said Brockley which is lovely but v different vibe.

Rotherhithe is very overlooked. Rotherhithe street is peaceful and like a little oasis in the middle of London but with some great little pubs. You'll get a one bed for about 1300 upwards.

Hi OP, how exciting for you! Welcome to the people's Republic of South London.
I live in Brockley, as far as I can tell its very safe, I've never actually had any trouble in London since I came as a student in 1986. Apart from the police on student demos but that's a different thing!
Peckham has a lot of vibe as does Camberwell! Maybe too much. I don't want to make judgements but both areas as well as New Cross feel a lot edgier to me than say East Dulwich and Nunhead and Brockley. However I would have lived in any of them as a young person and not given it a second thought. Lewisham itself is changing a lot just now and might be a cool place to live as well as work. Ladywell, is much changed as well. Catford is a mixed bag but it does have a giant statue of a cat.
I would say keep an open mind. I bought a flat in a high crime zone in Newham, and although there was crime all around me it didn't affect me. Although I did have words once with a guy living in a bail hostel next to my flats because he was feeding my squirrel, who was a nursing mother, junk food.

Royal Arsenal (just outside Greenwich) is a perfect place for singles and has great transport connections. Right by the Thames and boats into central London really are convenient. Great vibe about the place with in-site food halls, bars and restaurants. Take a looks, it's definitely worth considering.