A Guide to Living in South East London

South East London stretches from SE1 down to SE20, encompassing the London boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich, Lewisham and Southwark. Such a huge slice of the capital naturally has lots of different guises and offerings; from out-of-this-world dining scenes to riverside living and everything in between. Read on to discover developments that are rated the best places to live in South East London. In addition, read reviews from residents who own or rent in South East London.

Areas like Lambeth and Elephant & Castle have seen much in the way of regeneration. Ultra-modern residential developments are now peppered along the Thames here, packed with apartments and penthouses that come with a bird’s-eye view of the city. Both districts are now firmly seated in the ‘up-and-coming’ category, with new bars and restaurants opening up practically weekly. For celebrated old-time icons, meanwhile, Lambeth plays host to famous attractions like the National Theatre, the Tate Modern, and the Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre; so this is a real cultural big-hitter.

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Average Location Score

Excellent

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Very Good

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Average

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Best places to live in South East London

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

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South East London’s gastronomy

SE1’s Borough is one of London’s most reputable foodie hotspots. You’ll find its lifeblood, Borough Market, next to London Bridge on Southwark Street. London’s biggest and best food market. It’s said to have been in operation since the 11^th century, and its cornucopia of stalls feature everything from delicate French pastries to net-fresh seafood. Open Monday to Saturday, it attracts locals, tourists as well as top chefs looking for the finest produce.

Nearby Bermondsey also draws some big crowds for its gastronomic scene. Once a largely abandoned area full of run-down warehouses, today it’s a bohemian wonderland, with rainbow-coloured house fronts, quality bars and pubs and the street food extravaganza that is Maltby Street Market. Lots of the old warehouses have been converted into new-build apartments.

Historical riverside neighbourhoods

Move east to the likes of Rotherhithe and Surrey Quays and you’ll find 17^th-century pubs that tell tales of days gone by; hidden down Victorian streets among swish riverfront apartment buildings. This slither of South East London offers a number of peaceful nature areas and a watersports centre. Perfect for taking a breather away from the fast-paced city day-to-day. Canary Wharf and City workers, in particular, are drawn to the area, and can commute by riverbus for a more scenic route to work.

Greenwich

In nearby Greenwich the historical sites come thick and fast. Greenwich has a fascinating maritime history, and this leafy Thames-front stretch can feel a million miles from the city. It’s a World Heritage Site, home to the Royal Observatory, the National Maritime Museum and also, the world’s most famous ship – The Cutty Sark. Property in these parts includes range from pricey waterfront apartments to smart Victorian terraces.

Train with highrise buildings in the background -South East London

Edgy South East London

Neighbouring Lewisham offers an edgier lifestyle with a strong community spirit. It’s got a handful of decent markets, bars and brunch spots to rival Shoreditch and an electric after-dark offering. The Deptford neighbourhood (part of which spills into the London Borough of Greenwich) has a burgeoning art scene. As such, property developers are moving in to transform the area’s residential face with cutting-edge new apartments that appeal to the area’s multiplying creatives. Deptford High Street is packed with quirky independent stores and eateries serving Vietnamese fare. There’s also a beautiful Baroque church to explore.

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 South East London . Moreover, If there’s a property that you can’t see on HomeViews, you can add a new listing and leave your review here.

Featured developments in South East London

Reviews in South East London

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Promising but so far not great execution

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.

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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

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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

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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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,

Expensive average

Verified Resident

Review Date Mar 2024

Well connected with 2 DLR stations close by and the SE train too. Huge Tesco one block away with is a plus. You can hear the trains of course because its really close to the train rails (not a big deal).

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We were told Amenities would be ready by January and its almost April with no news yet. They went all in on the interior design of the development, but does not compensate the lack of quality.

None of the issues we’ve had on our apartment were dealt with on a timely manner.

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

I wish I’d known that the amenities were NOT going to be ready by January as told.

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

Not in a timely manner. From heaters that did not work for months during winter to an electrical problem.

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Manager Response

Dear Luc,

Thank you for taking time to write a review.

We are deeply sorry that your experience at Bale & Anchor has not so far been what you have expected.

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

We also apologise for any potential miscommunication that may have occurred with you relating to full amenities launching. However, Bale House and therefore the related excellent and vibrant amenities that you kindly refer to, are set to launch in spring 2024 as per original projected plan.

And we can confirm that this will take place very soon in due course.

Bale & Anchor is a brand new fantastic development, and as such, although not expected there may be occasional small reactive issues to rectify and despite our best efforts, occasionally the required resolution may take a little more time than expected.

Despite that, be assured that our team will always work to integrate comprehensive efforts with other involved parties to ensure that any potential service issues are as minimal and as little disruptive to our residents as possible.

We hope the above is helpful and please do reach out to me at B&A management office to discuss further if necessary.

A Guide to Living in South East London

Best places to live in South East London

South East London’s gastronomy

Historical riverside neighbourhoods

Greenwich

Edgy South East London

Featured developments in South East London

Bale & Anchor, SE13

345 Park Place, SE16

Lime Works, SE7

Dockley Apartments, SE16

École, SE16

The Quarry, DA8

Greenwich Creekside, SE8

Thames Street, SE10

Distillery Tower, SE8

Deptford Foundry, SE14

The Horizon, SE10

The Music Box, SE1

One Tower Bridge, SE1

Fizzy Lewisham, SE13

Excalibur, SE6

Enderby Wharf, SE10

Elephant Central, SE1

Albany Place, SE17

Please review your development:

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

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

Please review your development:

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

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

Please review your development:

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

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

Please review your development:

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

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