NewWave

I would personally avoid any seaside town in the current economic climate. I have friends who moved a few years ago and they told me that in the past six months or so its become deeply depressing due to cost of living crisis and rubbish weather the last couple of summers the 'nice' shops are closing down due to lack of footfall and people with less disposable income and vandalism burglary and drug taking has become more and more apparant, they plan to move again but now cant sell their house. I'd look to other areas of South or south east london, or somewhere like Bath (where I'd quite like to live actually) or Somerset.

I've never witnessed this.

I highly reccomend The Butchery on London road opposite Sainsburys. We always get our meat from there, they also stock chutneys and wines etc.

DR Boo are excellent. highly reccomend but they get pretty booked up

We always have our duvets dry cleaned at the Dry cleaners in Forest Hill (Dartmouth road next door to Bunka) been doing so for years and they never have a chemical smell and come back spotlessly clean. In fact he dry cleans all our clothes and they never smell 'chemical'

As someone who was born in West London and lived my entire life in West and South West London up until 12 years ago (two of my former homes being on VERY busy main roads ) I think you'll find Lordship Lane quieter than where you are now. Depending on what part of West London you are moving from This area has a lot of positives, still a decent smattering of independent shops, decent places to eat and drink, a cinema and lots of green space in walking distance. The only negative that I have found is my frustrations with Public transport..If you commute across the river the overground gets horribly overcrowded at peak times and busses too get very busy.

I like Windchimes ..Though sadly my other half hates them so my garden is a chime free zone..I make up for it with Fairylights though😆

Dont go to Peckham Pulse...It was really unpleasant. People exfoliating and stuff in the steam room...felt grubby and a bit mildewy. I too would love a council run pool thats indoors (Brockwell is outdoors and I'm not brave enough to get in in the pool in the winter) with a CLEAN sauna and steam room

Yes I hear that in my garden..quite eerie sounding and very loud assumed it was foxes.

Central london stinks of human Urine in the side streets (I know..I work there)....perhaps it was human p*** your friends could smell? I see foxes daily around my home and in my garden and I have never actually noticed any smell of fox urine. I love seeing my local foxes, they are beautiful animals. I would prefer councils spend their money on providing public toilets than killing animals.

Foxes??

Its still empty...

I beg to differ..I thought it improved greatly when EA took over from the previous company..(who's name escapes me)

I saw Cher on the 185.. Would you Believe ....

The boiler has been out of service for about a week Or at least theres been a sign up stating pool temperature is low and theres no hot water. Its been a mess since Southwark took over.

Its the same with classes...unless you book over a week in advance they are all full, I go on the waitlist then about an hour before the class start places become available. by then its too late to change my arrangements pack my stuff and get to the centre.

We got caught in a tailback just near the entrance to Dulwich woods about 3pm...And could just about see flames in the road on what appeared to be the lane going towards Forest Hill. Just wondering what on earth was going on? We were lucky to be able to do a U turn and go another way but no sign/sound of sirens and the flames were pretty high from what we could see.

I'm normally not nosy..(honest!) But how did the OP hear about the 'major incident'? I'm curious what on earth that could mean.. Possible gas leak maybe??

Not everyone is able to get to these places during working hours on weekdays. Plus an older person may not want or be able to travel to get their shopping.... My point is....Supermarkets are convenient. Speaking for myself its not an 'excuse'...I leave home at 8.30am get home at 7pm I work north of the river as I'm sure many other locals without the luxury of working from home do. My 'excuse' is I and many others need to go for what's convenient and offers a one stop shop. I've stated I don't like supermarkets, I'd love to waft around buying organic or local produce...My finances and time constraints along with many other people's does not allow me to do so. End of story... You make your choice and don't criticise people who for many reasons have less choice.

One in Forest Hill just closed down..

I too am not a fan of Supermarkets. However like many other people I do not have the luxury of being able to 'shop around' local markets etc etc (I work full time outside our area an hour commute each way) Organic food , slow reared organic meat and wine from a specialist shop is of course the ideal...If you can afford it. The majority of people cannot. Pensioners cannot. people on avarage to low income with kids cannot. That is why the likes of Aldi,Lidl, etc etc do well. For many in 2023 their concern is getting food on the table, in their bellies, paying their rent heating bills etc. Organic farm reared this and that is a luxury for many not a necessity.

Problem is that for those on a budget fruit and veg sold pre-packed is somewhat cheaper than those sold loose. fruit and veg shops are now few and far between and those that do exist often sell at a premium to the supermarket pre-packaged option. Good food choices are often a luxury for those on a low income.