Rank these areas of SE London in order of preference...

[marinaaquamarina]

If you had £165k max-ish and were looking for a flat or house, ideally 2 bed or very large 1 bed, parking if possible, for a late 20s/early 30s couple, cash buyers but not big earners, no children, bookish, enjoy arts, not really boozers but like occasional eating out, theatre, museums and arty cinema. Would like a home that was not a risky investment with potential to at least, hold its value for a few years and without huge service charges. Safety conscious, mugging averse, collect Nectar points.

Need to be in south/south east London and will need to travel into central London no more than once a week.

Of course, if we can have all of this and an indoor swimming pool and a nice lush garden, that would be even better!

Where would you choose on this list - what would be your order of preference or would you choose somewhere else entirely:

1. Catford
2. Ladywell
3. South Norwood
4. Crystal Palace
5. Sydenham/Anerley/Penge
6. Brockley/New Cross/Forest Hill
7. Eltham
8. Plumstead
9. Woolwich

10. Belvedere 11. Barnehurst 12. Crayford

Faves, top threes, top fives, anything!!!

i used to live in the conservation area off Brockley, i really liked it there.

this is Chislehurst Mottingham borders, it's huge, good price

Agreed, not Woolwich, Plumstead or Belvedere. Barnehurst and Crayford you might as well live in Kent proper if commuting daily isn't an issue.

I like Fapl's Blackheath option.

1. Crystal Palace
2. Sydenham (possibly Annerly but NOT Penge)
3. Brockley/Forest Hill

I wouldn't want to live in any of the others.

The Blackheath option is fab

Thanks fapl - great minds and all that - we've checked out both of the Catford ones you highlight - the repo was just a bit too much work for us and the other a bit too pricey. The Blackheath flat looks intriguing - pricey - but on the list.

Cheers Uik - Snap! on the Kingsground flat - good location but the front door into the lounge/ground floor aspect didn't appeal and unfortunately, a bit on the pricey side again. Eltham's defintely not cheap.

Thanks pinkdelight - we're going to have to really look at that place.

Anerlley

oooh i love a good house hunt especially when it's not my money

Bromley worth a shout, very good commuter links, good shopping centre close by

Just phoned the agent on this one www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-37367863.html

I love the look of it but the service charge is £180 per month nearly £2,500 pa

Thanks ubik - Mottingham/Chislehurst unfortunately is just one of those places we never got to like - bit of an outsider for us.

Crystal Palace, 159,000

rt must get back to work

Have a look at Beckenham. Down the hill from Crystal Palace. Under priced.

Of your options and assuming brixton / kennington not for you, I would it for s norwood.

You couldn't get a shoe box in Brixton for that these days, let alone Kennington. OP I would focus on Crystal Palace/South Norwood

Thanks again ubik - I'm guessing you like ground floor flats - I'm a bit of a wuss about that - higher the better for me.

I've always assumed Brixton/kennington - anywhere with a tube would just be way too pricey - shall have a shufty.

How about this one: here
Or this one: here
Or this one: here
Or this one (a bit more expensive): here

Thanks littlecrystal - such a shame that earlier flat you linked to is now sold - although it's not sold on't t'internet yet.

I phoned the EA about those Woodlands flats - wait for it..... the service charges are £180 per month + ground rent + insurance - by the 'eck - too rich for my blood .... but it does explain why they seem so cheap to buy

Thanks for the others - they're on't list!

I'd also say have a look at Beckenham. No tube but two train lines; one into Victoria/Blackfriars and one into Charing Cross/London Bridge. We lived there for years in a flat (there are quite a few) before moving further out to get a house. There are plenty of restaurants on the High street and a Waitrose!

Sorry I'll stop sounding like an EA now

Yikes, didn't know about those service charges. Crazy amount. But the Sylvan Rd one LittleCrystal linked to is in a nice bit of the world, close to S Norwood lakes, near the triangle (where all the shops are) and walkable to the train stn.

It's a shocker isn't it - but I suppose the grounds are huge and beautiful - just out of our monthly budget though - shame!

I got on the blower about the Sylvan Road flat and a few similars in the same area. Unfortunately, it's the same issue again of high service charges - according to the agent - most of the 60s/70s blocks have charges of around £2000 pa which is too much for us.

We'd reckoned on annual charges of maybe £1000pa give or take a hundred.

Maybe we need to work harder/longer/faster

Near the hospital
Ignore the mattresses n the floor
Not pretty but in great location near the Heath

Cheers slug - it just shows London can be done on a budget. I'm not keen on the tower block but the other two are intersting

Anerley service charges £650/annum

move in condition but charges not yet confirmed, Sydenham is a nice srea

Agree with littlecrystal to the order

wrong link on the second one ubik.

Penge is coming up; close to Sydenham, crystal palace and beckenham. There are some great period properties there.