Moving from SW London to SE London (500k budget)

[Percy185]

I currently live in Carshalton in SW London / Surrey borders. But have been looking to move to SE London to be closer to work in the City. I have around 500k to spend on a 2 bed flat, somewhere with nice period properties, tree lined streets, ideally with a garden and needs to have a reasonable commute into Shoreditch / Liverpool St.

I am a single man in my mid to late 20s, and love spending time socialising in restaurants, pubs and at farmers markets.

I have friends and family in the Wimbledon / Clapham area so ideally want to be able to travel to see them within an hour.

Have been looking at Forest Hill, West Norwood, Nunhead / Telegraph Hill, Camberwell and Crystal Palace. If anyone has any experience on living in these areas please let me know how you rank them in order and where you would choose to live?

Looking for somewhere nice but not necessarily “naice” - somewhere more culturally diverse.

Thanks in advance

I'd second Brixton, but closer to the Herne Hill end (which has better transport links if you need to head east). Fantastic park, good farmers markets and lots of pubs etc. From an investment point of view, you'll probably make more too, though obvs you'll get less for your money if buying in that area.

I live in Forest Hill and it does feel like a sleepy town which is what I wanted for where I am in life (female, mid-thirties etc), having lived in Brixton. Crystal Palace is quite buzzy but has lots of families and is deffo 'naice'. Honor Oak is pleasant, it was one of the places I considered, but being close to the Horniman was what swung it for me. I don't personally see the appeal of Brockley - it was on my shortlist but I found it to be quite dull. Although closer to London, I hear the trains get quite packed so it can be a nightmare to get on in the mornings.

Can't really speak about Peckham too much, have always found it a bit 'grimy' whenever I've passed through. The area around Peckham Rye stn doesn't feel the safest either. I guess it's now 'hipster' so if that's your bag, perhaps Peckham/Camberwell could work too.