Which neighbourhoods should I look in?

[ZippyFish]

I have been looking for 2 bed period conversion houses up to £450k for last 3 months with no luck in Brockley - Sydenham. I am a single female lawyer in early 30s with long working hours so want 45min commute to the city. Can someone help if I should expand my search to other areas? Not looking for ex-council or flats. Garden or parking is nice to have but not must have. Would like a non-grotty area. Currently living in East Dulwich but understand nothing is affordable here in my budget. Is this even realistic? Also, don’t want to do any work.

Yes, but if you’re using the station you have to go through and into the grotty bit every day.

Thanks, yes Nunhead is on my radar but haven’t found anything yet. Market seems very slow atm with very few properties coming up and the good ones getting snapped up instantly.

Hmm, I would avoid that at all costs as walking in fear is the last thing I want in my life.

This is in Beckenham, for example.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/161730899#/?channel=RES_BUY

Look in SE18? You’ll be 4 stops from Liverpool St on the Elizabeth line. Lots of options on the Arsenal but if you want something more period look up Shooters Hill. Loads of green space, commons, beautiful woods, tennis club, golf course. It’s more Edwardian, early 20th century so I’m not sure how many conversions there are. Compromise is the distance from the station but there are loads of buses and a black cab doesn’t cost much if you’re coming back late.

You might be able to get a small cottage:

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/161766188#/?channel=RES_BUY

Thanks this looks good, will arrange a viewing.

@ZippyFish I second Bromley/Bickley (I live here, and it’s very safe, lots of green spaces nearby, walking distance to all major stores, and easy commute into Victoria / Blackfriars with 30 min from Bickley or 16 min from Bromley)

This is on a very good road - over budget, but might take an offer as been on for a while)

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/154098332

Also lovely, with a private garden.
Ravensbourne/Shortlands very nice areas, between Beckenham and Bromley.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/155080793

Thanks @tigerbear it looks good. Will check it out.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/162209219

This is a little further out than Bromley, but you can get into London Bridge in 20 minutes and the station is less than a 10 minute walk.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/162290390

I’d keep an eye out in Sydenham still, and agree that one on Byne Road might be worth a cheeky offer.

Penge has recently been selected by the times as one of the cool postcodes in 2025 and I’d choose that over Catford any day!

Good luck with your search.
i honestly can’t recommend Bromley/Beckenham area highly enough. I moved here from Greenwich about a year ago, and wish I’d done it years ago!

You may also find places in Penge.

do you need SE London? If not Try wanstead South Woodford both on central line 18 mins to liv st. Or Forest Gate on Lizzie line about 12 mins - although some areas not as nice.

I would not buy in Catford. It’s the gritty side of edgy in my opinion. I would hold out for Sydenham/ Honor Oak/ Forest Hill. The Beckenham and Bromley ones are nice but think about commute! I live on the Beckenham train line now and my door to door commute is almost double what it was in Sydenham.

I'd have a look at the bit between Ladywell and Catford. I haven't lived that way for years so things might have changed, but I remember there being some pleasant streets there.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/161744588#/?channel=RES_BUY

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/153266675#/?channel=RES_BUY

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/162389474#/?channel=RES_BUY

Sevenoaks is really pricey, you get more bang for your buck if you move round the m25 a bit, and the Gatwick trainline is quick

For Liverpool st, I’d look north east tbh… Much better transport links, commuting time and lots of nice areas where you can find something in your budget.

On Central line: Wanstead, Woodford, Buckhurst Hill, Loughton
On Weaver overground line: Walthamstow, Stoke Newington (might be looking at 1-bed for that budget in SN to be fair), Highams Park, Chingford

I hated living in a period conversion. I could hear absolutely everything from all neighbours.

West Norwood? Nice area and on the up.

This is on for £475k so I imagine you could make an offer in your budget? 25 minutes to London Bridge.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/162400262#/media?activePlan=1&id=media17&ref=photoCollage&channel=RES_BUY

Won't even get a flat on that budget...

Anerley / Penge? Still on the Windrush line, that’s worth a lot

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/161337488#/?channel=RES_BUY

or

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/162197816#/?channel=RES_BUY

Catford is actually a good bet because it's one of the last decently-priced places close to the city, so floods of young people are buying there. It'll be gentrified soon.

Hackney was dodgy as crap not too long ago, and look at it now.