Borough of Lewisham

Lewisham lies just a few miles south-east of Central London. A borough given a little more than just a fresh coat of paint in recent years. In fact, this area has seen plenty in the way of renovation. Including, a transformation of the town centre and a brand-new riverside park. As such, it moved at lightning-speed into the ‘up-and-comer’ category a couple of years back. Then, in the blink of an eye, it became highly sought-after, courtesy of its affordable homes and fantastic transport links. Read on to discover developments that are rated the best places to live in Lewisham. In addition, read reviews from residents who own or rent in Lewisham.

4.55
Average Location Score

Excellent

64%

Very Good

27%

Average

7%

Disappointing

1%

Very Poor

0%

Best places to live in Borough of Lewisham

HomeViews Top Rated Development ranking takes into account the Star Rating and HomeViews Transparency Rating of every development in the area

Street Art

Cutting-edge bars and eateries

It might come as a surprise, but Lewisham embodies the sort of hipster cool more readily associated with places like Shoreditch and Hackney. The vibrant high streets are full of independent cafés, brunch pop-ups, and pocket-sized restaurants serving the A to Z of cuisines. After dark, there are lively pubs with on-stage happenings every weekend, plus a good clutch of nightclubs. One of the area’s most popular night-time haunts is Model Market, a street food fiesta that kicks off around 5pm on Fridays and Saturdays and goes on until late. Lip-smacking, around-the-world flavours here include succulent Argentinian meats, fiery Jamaican jerk chicken and thin and crispy Neapolitan pizzas.

New flats in Lewisham

Lewisham’s shopping scene

Lewisham’s daytime markets are just as good, and include Lewisham Farmers’ Market, Brockley Market, and Lewisham Open Market. Fresh flowers? Charcuterie? Pillow-soft donuts? All here. And if you’re more into high street brands, there’s a shopping mall in the middle of town packed with household names like M&S, Next and H&M.

Lewisham skyline at night

Lewisham residents

Lewisham’s residents are spirited and diverse. Artsy types are flocking to the Deptford district. Families favour the roomy period homes in the Ladywell area, where’s there’s also a good supply of picnic and playing space thanks to Ladywell and Hilly Fields. Young professionals, meanwhile, love Lewisham Gateway – a regenerated neighbourhood of contemporary apartments, right by Lewisham DLR Station (direct links to London Bridge, Canary Wharf and Bank). All great places to rent in Lewisham. There’s also a number of students in the area, living in converted Victorian and Edwardian flats. Thanks to Goldsmiths, University of London in New Cross, there’s real demand here for accommodation for pupils – something worth remembering for those looking to invest.

Verdicts from HomeViews reviewers…
“Area is a Mecca for families and young couples given it’s good value and zone 3 location. Good cafes and small local shops around, though a little more limited in number compared to other areas. Zone 3 location with regular services to London Central stations.”

“If you’re a foodie, don’t miss Model Market, a night-time street food extravaganza. It’s also really easy to reach the renowned Greenwich Park from Lewisham. Wander the flower and herb gardens, stop for tea and cake at the Pavilion Café, and soak up the scenery from one of London’s best viewpoints.”

“Artsy, fun-loving Deptford (is) a south-east pocket of London packed with restaurants, bars and galleries. It’s close to historical Greenwich and foodie-haven Bermondsey, and has great transport links for getting further afield.”

You can find out more about living in the area by reading reviews from residents. Click on the developments below to find out more about residents’ experiences and also, to discover the best places to live and rent in Lewisham. Moreover, If there’s a property that you can’t see on HomeViews,  you can add a new listing and leave your review here.

Reviews in Borough of Lewisham

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Everything I need to live comfortably in London

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Mar 2024

I love the location! As a south Londoner, it keeps me close to family, friends, and central London with multiple travel options (train, DLR, bus – all of which can get you on the tube line in about 10 minutes) to get me to other areas of London. You have 4 supermarkets in walking distance (Tescos, Asda, M&S, and Sainsbury’s), and if you really miss Waitrose, it’s a quick DLR ride. Blackheath and Greenwich are again walking distance or a quick ride away where you can find great cafes, restaurants, and green spaces to walk around. I’d say the only issue is parking. Though there are options, they come at a cost and can be difficult for elderly relatives who struggle to walk. It would have been great if the building had guest parking.

Please review your development:

Honestly, I’ve been super lucky – as soon as I moved in, I’ve had a really good experience. The one bed is spacious, comes with a great furniture package, and is really everything I need to live comfortably. If there is ever an issue, I’ve always been provided excellent service by the management team (Emma, Esther, Daniel, and Luke, to name a few). Geniuenly, nice people who really care about the role they play in making these apartments our homes. I recently went to an event they hosted and had a lot of fun meeting others in my building and having a good laugh. I am looking forward to more in the Summer, along with the opening of the additional facilities – which I’m super excited about. I’d say my only two qualms, which are not make-it-or-break- are guest parking (which I’ve mentioned) and the yellow wall in the bedroom (the color was an interesting design choice, but if that’s it, then I think I’m pretty lucky – and technically, I can submit a request to paint it).

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

I wish I had known to take on a longer lease. The letting agency was so horrible that it made a one-year commitment feel scary. If you’re looking at this building and having a weird experience with the letting agency, push through—I did, and I’m really happy with my decision.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Absolutely! Usually, within 24 hours (unless urgent), multiple folks from the property management have helped me to get things sorted.

4
Facilities
5
Design
5
Location
5
Value
5
Management
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Manager Response

Dear Danielle,

Thank you for taking the time to write the review and all your kind words.

The whole team at Bale & Anchor are absolutely delighted and very much grateful to you for the positive experience you attest to have received at Bale and Anchor.

This truly reflects the service standards and high-level experiences we all at Bale & Anchor work and strive to deliver everyday to ensure our community receive the greatest residential experiences in the market, and that those are delivered in professionally and differentiated manner.

It is our great pleasure to have you at Bale & Anchor!

We apologise for and are sorry for the sub-standard experience you have had with third-party agency. However, be assured that overall lettings end-to-end process is now fully delivered in-house by Bale & Anchor Team.

This will ensure a high-level integrated service experience delivered directly in-house.

We understand the comment regards on-site parking facilities, but we think it helpful from us to mention that surrounding parking facilities available (for instance Tesco’s about 2 minutes walk from Bale & Anchor), although at a cost, and are offered at considerable competitive prices.

Thank you.

With kind regards,

Promising but so far not great execution

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Mar 2024

I moved into Development Bale&anchor in February, enticed by its promising aesthetics and touted amenities. However, my experience has been mixed. While the property looks great and boasts impressive facilities on paper, the actual execution leaves much to be desired.

Please review your development:

Upon closer inspection, it’s evident that some of the finishes are subpar, with paints chipping and floors already showing signs of wear and tear. Despite promises of on-site maintenance, the reality falls short, with delays in repairs and a frustrating lack of responsiveness. The gym and other amenities, which were a major factor in my decision to choose this property, are still not operational, and the management’s refusal to adjust rent for the months without access is disappointing.

One significant inconvenience is the limited access to the building, with only one front door accessible, necessitating trips downstairs for guests and deliveries. Moreover, the inability to provide additional sets of keys is particularly vexing, especially for pet owners relying on sitters or walkers, as coordinating key handoffs with the concierge proves unreliable.

On a positive note, the staff members are courteous and accommodating, offering hope that some of these issues will eventually be resolved. However, it’s evident that the current rental price does not align with the quality of the property and its amenities. Overall, while Development Bale&anchor shows promise, there are significant improvements needed to justify its price tag and meet residents’ expectations.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

Issues and inconvenience mentioned above- maintenance, keys, lack of facilities still, lights, front door

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

They have been slow and need to follow up multiple times until you hear back

3
Facilities
4
Design
5
Location
3
Value
3
Management
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Manager Response

Dear Ms Atanasova,

Thank you for taking the time to write a review.

Please be assured that the addressed points have been duly noted and that the whole team at Bale & Anchor will keep working diligently to deliver the high standard of services and differentiated residential experiences that our residential communities expect from us.

We apologise for any related information potentially not passed on to you by lapse during your tenancy onboarding process, but the Bale & Anchor estate is a brand new development, and that Bale House where the fantastic amenities you kindly mentioned are located, is due to launch in spring 2024, and hence why the said amenities are currently not accessible.

We can, however, assure you that Bale House will launch within a matter of weeks now and all our residents will have the opportunity to experience our excellent and vibrant amenities along with the overall high-level services that will be on offer.

We took note of your discontent relating to our keys’ issuance policy but please be certain that the key handling prescribed process in place is reliable and consistent, and that it is as such with our residents best interest at the core of such policy, namely, with regard to their homes security.

We would like to reiterate that we offer 24/7 onsite concierge service and our residents can leave their keys with our FOH team at residents discretion for safe keeping, and keys can be collected by other parties as and when specifically instructed by our residents, accordingly.

Your kind note regards our colleagues/staff members is also most appreciated and we thank you for this as it is most motivating for our team to continue working toward improving consistently towards offering the best service experiences to our residents.

We hope the above is helpful but please do reach out to me at Bale & Anchor Management office to discuss further should you find it necessary.

Thank you.

Exceptional Urban Living

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Mar 2024

Living in Lewisham Fizzy has been a delight! The local area offers a diverse range of shops, restaurants, and bars, ensuring that there’s always something new to explore and enjoy. One of the highlights of living here is the convenience of having malls and supermarkets nearby. Whether I need to do a quick grocery run or indulge in some retail therapy, everything is just a short walk, train or bus ride away. Additionally, transport links are excellent, with multiple bus stops and train station situated right next to the building, make commuting an effortless and stress-free experience.

Please review your development:

Lewisham Fizzy offers an exceptional living experience. The modern design provide comfort and style. The building management team ensures smooth operations and prompt issue resolution. Property management is professional. Overall, it’s a standout choice for upscale urban living.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

The occasional sound of sirens from nearby hospital and police station caught me off guard initially, but I’ve come to see it as a sign of the tight security in the area.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

The building management team has been incredibly responsive and efficient in addressing any problems or issues I’ve raised. They promptly follow up on concerns and ensure that they are resolved to my satisfaction. Their professionalism and dedication to resolving issues have greatly contributed to my positive living experience in Lewisham Fizzy.

5
Facilities
5
Design
5
Location
5
Value
5
Management
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Kind, helpful team

Review Date Mar 2024

Close to big Tesco, DLR, Trains, buses, Greenwich, Deptford, Canary Wharf, and New Cross. The immediate neighbourhood is quiet and clean. Very quick and easy to get to central London.

Please review your development:

The building is quite nice. As with most large developments, there were some difficulties moving in. The water hadn’t been flushed so I had no hot water, the wifi wasn’t connected, and some of the finishes were damaged at move-in. The tub had
chip, and the vinyl had scuff marks. There was also a leak in the hallway.

I’ve never had such responsive property management though. Daniel in particular has been a lifesaver at helping to resolve issues. The essential issues (wifi, water) were sorted the night I moved in. Everything else was tracked and communicated to me diligently. On the whole, I felt like the staff cared about the state of the flat and my experience in it, which isn’t always the case.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

While there is a concierge, I’ve missed some deliveries as the intercom system isn’t always clear to couriers. Also, the rubbish and recycling bins have been basically combined and rarely look sorted by the end of the week, which makes it difficult to feel like I’m sorting my rubbish well. There’s no food waste collection.

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

They’ve been very quick to address any issues and keep me updated on their progress

4
Facilities
4
Design
5
Location
5
Value
5
Management
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Manager Response

Dear Gwen,

Thank you for taking the time to write the review and all your kind words.

The whole team at Bale & Anchor are absolutely delighted and very much grateful to you for the positive experience you attest to have received at Bale and Anchor.

Please be assured that the less positive addressed points have been duly noted and that the whole team at Bale & Anchor will keep working diligently to deliver the high standard of services and differentiated residential experiences that our residential community expect from us.

Bale & Anchor is a brand new fantastic development, and although not expected, there may be occasional small reactive issues that need correcting, and again, please be assured that your raised points do further enable us to consistently improve our day-to-day service delivery operation.

Please do reach out to me at will to discuss further if necessary.

It is our great pleasure to have you at Bale & Anchor!

Thank you.

With kind regards,