Buying/Renting property in London: Where would you live?

At the moment a friend and I are looking for a house. She's buying, I'm renting to help with the mortgage. She'll get a foot on the property ladder and in return I'll get somewhere decent to live at low rent with a friendly landlord.
We had been looking around North West London, as that's the area we both know. That then expanded to West London, I then started to get drawn south of the river because of the drop in prices.... and now we're not sure at all!

Our criteria are pretty simple: Within 5 or 6 miles of the city centre for me on the bike and good access to an overground line that runs (either direct or with a change/tube starter) to Crystal Palace for her.

We've been looking and property up to £250k, but will be spending less. Need two bedrooms.

So where would you live? Any areas you think will be worth a hunt round that I won't have thought of?

South east - New Cross, Brockley, Honor Oak, Forest Hill type areas. You'll both have good access to where you need to work and should be able to find something in your price range in those areas.

i know i'm a bit biased, but Gipsy Hill/ West Norwood (SE27) is lovely and the right price range...
(basically, what andyp says)

North London, accept no imitations

West London, accept no limitations

South east - New Cross, Brockley, Honor Oak, Forest Hill type areas. You'll both have good access to where you need to work and should be able to find something in your price range in those areas.

+1
best move you'll ever make
biased as well, but Peckham Rye or Camberwell (anywhere near Camberwell Grove/Bellenden Road area is a shoe-in for a good investment), Herne Hill, etc.
good luck!

You have to pick the right bits of Norwood, some of it is a bit sketchy.
Parts of Crystal Palace are quite nice as well, Dulwich is too expensive, but East Dulwich is ok too.
If I wasn't migrating west I would probably pick Brockley

Btw, when I first bought a property in London I started looking in Highbury/Highgate as those were areas I knew. However, a friend of mine was also looking so we decided to buy jointly and she was living in Honor Oak at the time and thought we'd get more for our money down there. I didn't know south east London at all and thought it was full of slums and mean streets (I exaggerate slightly) so was pleasantly surprised to find it was all leafy streets and parks. She was right too, for the price of a two bed flat in north London we could get a massive 3 bedroomed house with a garden.

North Londoners think there part of the capital is the best but it's much the same as the rest of London but over priced and full of stuck up twats. (No offence Mike!)

White City*

I know it's racist.

I live in New Cross Gate and would seem like a good fit for your criteria. Direct to Crystal Palace on the newly reopened overground and easily cyclable into town. I work by St Paul's and it takes me under 20 mins. I brought in NXG as is was a really affordable place for a first time buy. So far, I've nothing but good things to say. A couple of decent boozers, telegraph hill park is nice, a conveniently placed Sainsburys, interesting stuff in Deptford, nice stuff in Greenwich, close to ride to town, but also convenient transport links. I think you should find somewhere in budget as well.

Yep, what Andy P says. Nunhead might be worth a look too. Cheaper version of Peckham Rye.

North Londoners think there part of the capital is the best but it's much the same as the rest of London but over priced and full of stuck up twats. (No offence Mike!)

None taken. I know you weren't referring to me there. Were you? I have been called many things but stuck up is not one of them :)

Midtown.

Brixton
Herne Hill
Dulwich

In that order

You were looking in North West London but you need to be near Crystal Palace?

Sydenham, Forest Hill, Nunhead, Honour Oak, East Dulwich, Herne Hill are all easy to get to Crystal Palace from, but nearer town. Also I'd check out around Tulse Hill, maybe even over to Streatham and Tooting.

basically, south.

Innit blood.

problem with london is you either live scared of being shanked by a povvo or gnashing your teeth at the obnoxiousness of the rich.
london is not a nice place to live as i see it.

I'm gonna miss South London when I move to fuckin Islington in Oct/Nov :-(

problem with london is you either live scared of being shanked by a povvo or gnashing your teeth at the obnoxiousness of the rich.
london is not a nice place to live as i see it.

Get your coat mate>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

you've pulled?

I'm gonna miss South London when I move to fuckin Islington in Oct/Nov :-(

The young 'un'll be a Gooner then. Result.

West London, accept no limitations

Now you really are having a laugh!

The young 'un'll be a Gooner then. Result.

Literally, 10mins walk from The Emirates, we're gonna be the top end of Liverpool* Rd

*ironic

Islington might be worth a look in a few months time as I've a feeling property prices in the area are about to drop.