South East London

[hipipol]

It was the poor end of Syndenham Hill - I think putting the Palace in the park - plus cheap day trips did it - I know they all stopped years ago when the thing burned down
Its nearest equivalent in the north is actually Ally Pally - which though it didn't burn down was again a "peoples palace" -at the foot, Crouch End - made trendy later - in CP you got Gipsy Hill and West Dulwich - V similar - to one side of Ally Pally, Muswell hill, always posher, the Syndenham hill bit does the same for CP.
Both atop hills, both had the train lines to the heights ripped out after the war
I think also its simply that the hills to the north of the river look south, ie they see sun shining through the windows as they look out to the lowlands, we Southern Scarp types dont

 

[Ultranol]

The most important things are: how old are you? where's your job? where do your mates live?

Well I'm 27, work in Farringdon and my mates are pretty spread out - but quite a few (plus my family) live in Surrey which is why I'm looking into south east london. Its really good seeing everyones opinions - I guess Im mostly looking for somewhere which is safe and decent, has green spaces, and good transport into central london. I'll be renting at first but if I find somewhere I liked I would consider buying...

 

[Monkeygrinder's Organ]

Herne Hill is very nice, trains direct to Farringdon, 5 mins to Brixton for a night out but pretty quiet itself.

 

[HackneyE9]

I think if you're 27 you'd want something a bit livelier than _most_ of SELondon to be honest. It is cheap, but it's a bit drab for a party animal.

ETA - If I was 27 again, I'd go for Camberwell or Peckham, but it depends on whether you like funky but grimey, I suppose.

 

[ChrisFilter]

Herne Hill is very nice, trains direct to Farringdon, 5 mins to Brixton for a night out but pretty quiet itself.

Yeah. Expensive, but this probably your best bet or what you need.

 

[se5]

Yeah. Expensive, but this probably your best bet or what you need.

Or try the bit of Camberwell that is near Loughborough Junction - next stop along from HH and housing generally less, also good for Brixton and Kennginton. Very pleasant housing on roads such as Paulet, Knatchbull and Cormont 'above' Coldharbour Lane and Cambria and surrounding 'below' Coldharbour.

 

[hipipol]

If you have to live in Camberwell, try Denmark hill, Grove lane - though I suspect the rents are a LOT higher now than when I lived on Grove lane 15 years ago!!!!
You also have Dog kennel hill just behind you, cheaper housing.....

 

[ChrisFilter]

Or try the bit of Camberwell that is near Loughborough Junction - next stop along from HH and housing generally less, also good for Brixton and Kennginton. Very pleasant housing on roads such as Paulet, Knatchbull and Cormont 'above' Coldharbour Lane and Cambria and surrounding 'below' Coldharbour.

Personally, I always found that area a bit depressing. Bit soulless, it always seemed to be dark and rainy whenever I was there and there always felt that air of menace about it.

I'm not precious, I lived on Coldharbour Lane... I just never liked wandering up there.

 

[Cowley]

Or try the bit of Camberwell that is near Loughborough Junction - next stop along from HH and housing generally less, also good for Brixton and Kennginton. Very pleasant housing on roads such as Paulet, Knatchbull and Cormont 'above' Coldharbour Lane and Cambria and surrounding 'below' Coldharbour.

If you live round that way then I'm sorry but that part of Camberwell is dire IMHO.

I lived on Lilford Road many years back and there was nothing but trouble round that way. It aint much better around the Myatts Field area either despite the fact that some of the housing stock is some of the nicest I've seen in London anywhere. In fact due to the Lilford & Myatts Field Estates...there's always been problems a plenty up that way.

I'd recommend pretty much any of the roads off Camberwell Church Street going towards Peckham..but that's just me.

 

[brix]

Now Catford. I don't think it's as bad as some people make out, but that is dull. If there is a decent place to go out in Catford (we live fairly near), I've missed it.

Perhaps not the sort of thing you meant but I've heard good things about this place:

http://www.london-eating.co.uk/3339.htm

 

[se5]

Well having read all of the posts here I bet the original poster is no more clear than before!

I guess the best thing to do is to get a travelcard and travel around the different areas working out journey times, what housing you can afford, the quality of local pubs etc etc: theres no substitute for seeing it yourself

 

[oryx]

Perhaps not the sort of thing you meant but I've heard good things about this place:

http://www.london-eating.co.uk/3339.htm

mmmm that sounds worth a look!

 

[HackneyE9]

Well having read all of the posts here I bet the original poster is no more clear than before!

I guess the best thing to do is to get a travelcard and travel around the different areas working out journey times, what housing you can afford, the quality of local pubs etc etc: theres no substitute for seeing it yourself

True. But to be fair, it's a bit of a vague post - "I'm moving to South East London - what's it like?". If you'd asked what north London was like, you'd have everything from Camden to Manor House to Hampstead to Dollis Hill.

 

[Guineveretoo]

Yeah it's quite a good service from EC, you can get pretty fast trains to London Bridge (blackfriars and all that kings cross stuff too) and because it's fast to Clapham Junction 5-6 minutes it only took about 20 minutes to get to Waterloo in the morning (including platform waiting).

If you really really fuck up on the trains there is a fairly good night bus back to EC but when I have been mega late I have just got the morning trains from London Bridge or Victoria which start at about 2 or 3am or something anyway I think.

Trains run all night from London Victoria to East Croydon but, after 1pm, they go hourly, and the bastards won't let you wait in the station, which can be a bit miserable, if it is cold and you want to pee

I moved to South Norwood because it is accessible for East Croydon, which is a fantastic station, and has trains going all over the place. There even used to be one a day to Oxford, Manchester and Edinburgh (although I never caught it).

Frequent trains from East Croydon to Brighton is a boon in the summer months, too.

I use Selhurst on a daily basis, because the trains are about every 10 minutes or so, and it's in zone 4 (East Croydon is zone 5). Norwood Junction is also a good station, if you want to get to London Bridge - some of the trains only take 12 minutes!

And there are tons of buses going all over the place, as well.

So, transport wise, the London Borough of Croydon is fabby.

 

[STFC]

I can recommend Sidnum, having spent three happy years living there. Decent enough transport links, two or three reasonable pubs, a good caff (Sema's). Ghurkas is a fantastic Indian/Nepalese restaurant and there's also a Mexican place and a Chinese which are both pretty good. Namaste is a good Indian takeaway too. Wimpy for old school fast-food with real cutlery, plus Morley's for when only fried chicken will do.

 

[twistedAM]

Well having read all of the posts here I bet the original poster is no more clear than before!

I guess the best thing to do is to get a travelcard and travel around the different areas working out journey times, what housing you can afford, the quality of local pubs etc etc: theres no substitute for seeing it yourself

Reading through it I'd say it's a choice between somewhere near Herne Hill Station or central Crystal Palace but then I'm biased toward the latter.

 

[ddraig]

I can recommend Sidnum, having spent three happy years living there. Decent enough transport links, two or three reasonable pubs, a good caff (Sema's). Ghurkas is a fantastic Indian/Nepalese restaurant and there's also a Mexican place and a Chinese which are both pretty good. Namaste is a good Indian takeaway too. Wimpy for old school fast-food with real cutlery, plus Morley's for when only fried chicken will do.

is there still a wimpy in Sydenham??
where to?

 

[STFC]

On Sydenham Road, almost opposite Somerfield. At least, it was still there when I moved away in April.

There's also one in Lewisham. Croydon too I think.

 

[ethel]

and greenwich

 

[Roadkill]

There's one in Woolwich too, in Beresford square.

 

[paolo]

And darkest Bermondsey. In the really horrible bit.

 

[gaijingirl]

And West Norwood "high street"..

 

[Callie]

and one in Croydon too - Sarf London - the home of Wimpey

 

[paolo]

and one in Croydon too - Sarf London - the home of Wimpey

I don't think you're selling it too well.

 

[Streathamite]

sydenham is nice but quiet. not much there apart from wells park

 

[HackneyE9]

On Sydenham Road, almost opposite Somerfield. At least, it was still there when I moved away in April.

There's also one in Lewisham. Croydon too I think.

Yes, there is. It's lacking the 'hamburger' door handle so redolent of other Wimpys, though, I think. I'll check next time I'm going past. (emphasis on "past".)