South London Guide 

Well if London in general is a mixed bag of desirability then South ('Sarf' in the local vernacular) London really is a mixed bag. You run the gamut from the multi-million pound flats of Fulham (SW6), Putney (SW15) and Battersea (SW11); the film-set prettiness of Wimbledon (SW19) and Dulwich (SE21) to some of the most deprived, dirty, poverty, crime and gang ridden areas of the Uk (and indeed Europe). All within really quite a small area.

Let's start in South-West London and work East. Fulham (SW6) is a great place although, as ever for London, quite mixed, running from somewhat grim estates near the A4 to the upper class enclaves of Parson's Green and the King's rd as it goes into Chelsea. Fulham in general though is pleasant and popular with young professionals and families. This theme is continued across the river in Putney (SW15) and Wandsworth (SW18) which are pleasant, leafy, green areas. Battersea (SW11), like Fulham is extremely mixed running from multi-million pound flats across the river from Chelsea to some fairly grim estates next to Wandsworth. Clapham (SW4) is a lovely place though keep in mind it borders Brixton. Things get slightly rougher as you head through Balham (SW12) and Streatham (SW16) although these areas have been improved immeasurably in the last ten years or so and are now, in general, quite pleasant. Continuing South we arrive at Tooting (SW17). I quite like Tooting. It's somewhat down at heel compared to nearby Clapham but with a strong Asian influence that makes it llively and colourful - above all with great food!

Wimbledon (SW19) is, depending on your point of view, what London living should be. It's a lovely, leafy green place with a small villagey feel. It's a bit like a postcard of what you'd imagine England to be if you'd never lived here before (although pricey as a result). Merton (SW19) and Earlsfield (SW18) are a bit more down at heel than Wimbledon, Putney (SW15) and Clapham (SW4) but nice enough all the same. This theme continues along a corridor through to Dulwich (SE21) which, like Wimbledon, is one of the prettier parts of London.

South-East London is definitely one of my favourite parts of London and, if I was in the market, probably one of the places in which I'd look to buy. These areas: Crystal Palace (SE19), Penge, Anerley (SW20), Norwood (SE25) and Sydenham (SE26) are down to earth, leafy green and pleasant places.

Dulwich (SE21) is a lovely place - very green and villagey although maybe a little bit too twee for some people. For the younger, less well-heeled I would recommend East Dulwich (SE22).

Well, we've covered some of the nice parts of South London, now we go North to the (some would say) less desirable parts.

North of East Dulwich (SE22) things remain reasonably pleasant as you go through Nunhead (SE15) and Peckham Rye and then we get to... Peckham (SE15). Oh dear.

Long the butt of London jokes, notorious in the public imagination as a centre for guns, gangs and general dodginess, Peckham is actually an oasis of civic harmony, bleeding-edge modern architecture and progressive community relations. Hahaha. Ok seriously. The above (the bit about general dodginess, guns and gangs, NOT the other bit) is all true. There are many gangs here. Shooting incidents are depressingly frequent. BUT, if you are not involved with gangs, guns, narcotics, car theft, joy-riding, etc. IF you have reasonable street smarts and are not inclined to wondering the streets at 3am pissed off your arse with your ipod in full view and turned to maximum volume... It can be ok. There are plenty of normal people that live here. Ditto Brixton (SW9) and New Cross (SE14) - places of similarly rough reputations.

On the subject of roughness, Bermondsey (SE16), Elephant and Castle (SE17), Tulse Hill (SE27), Lambeth (SE11) and areas of Lewisham are considered um, rough. (This is not a complete list).

As you go East, I would say that Greenwich is somewhat of an oasis between New Cross and Woolwich with lots of new and interesting developments and a beautiful (if touristy) centre. Woolwich and Thamesmead are, in general, quite deprived areas.

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