Hi everyone,
Not sure this is the right place to ask but am looking to buy my first property as a FTB in London and am looking into these areas. I've never lived in SE London before but prices where I am at the moment (Hackney area) are just too high. The area around Crystal Palace seems to have lots of nice period properties, green space and is relatively well connected compared to some of the other areas I've been looking in (Woolwich, Plumstead, Lee).
Is there anything I might want to know, having not spent time around these places? I've already been to a few viewings and have had a nosy round the area and it seems lovely, but it's hard to tell with the pandemic and most things being shut/people not being out and about as much. I'm a single woman buying alone so largely concerned about safety and would also like plenty of things to do locally like cafes, pubs, that kind of thing.
Finally, is it a good time to buy? It's hard to tell what will happen with prices going into a recession. It seems a lot of people are selling for what they bought for a few years ago, or slightly less, because their priority is to move out of the city or upsize with kids. I'm not sure if this means I'll be able to pick up a bargain at this time, or whether prices are going to crash and leave me in negative equity. So hard to know!