Let's move to south-east London

What's going for it? Amazing things, driving lessons. They take you to hitherto unexplored parts of this planet. Like Nunhead, Honor Oak Park, Brockley and Ladywell. I knew such lands ­existed – they're always in the property ­sections of the papers, goading twentysomethings to move where the air is fresh, prices reasonable, green space ­plentiful and the streets reasonably safe. And they're right. It's a pocket of niceness with decent boozers, villagey bits, parks everywhere and good neighbour­liness. Plus good schools, ideal for young families. And the magni­ficent Rivoli Ballroom at Crofton Park for Saturday night hops when the baby­sitter's round. Truly a lost land: I thought London had squeezed such places till the pips squeaked. The case against A tad humdrum. Rat runs and speed bumps will, even­tually, drive you insane. Watch prices at the edges: too close to Dulwich and they soar; too close to Catford and Peckham and they're having a laugh. Well connected? Oh yes. Three lines: Honor Oak Park and Brockley to Lon­don Bridge (10-16 minutes) every 15-20 minutes; Crofton Park and Nunhead to Blackfriars (15-20 minutes) and St Pancras (30 minutes), every 15- 20 minutes (Nunhead goes to Victoria, too – 20 minutes, every 20-30 minutes); Ladywell to ­London Bridge, Cannon Street or Charing Cross (15-25 minutes, every 15 ­minutes). Phew. Hang out at... A spate of gastropubs seeping in from East Dulwich. I tried the Herne Tavern : lovely boozer. Schools Great choice. Primaries: St Mary's Lewisham CofE , St Francesca Cabrini RC , John Stainer , St Mary Magdalen RC all "good", says Ofsted. Dalmain is "good" with "outstanding features", Holbeach , St ­William of York RC and Fairlawn all "out­standing". ­Secondaries: ­Crossways Academy is "good" and ­"improving rapidly"; The Charter and ­Haberdashers' Aske's Hatcham College are "outstanding", and Prendergast Hilly Fields "exceptional". Where to buy A magical hilly world almost entirely comprised of brick terraces. Pricewise, most expensive west near East ­Dulwich, cheapest north-east ­towards New Cross and Peckham. Stanstead Road, south, is the south circular: avoid. Rat runs a problem along Brockley Road and Honor Oak Park. Head east to Hither Green for cheaper-but-still-nice. Market values Flats: the bulk are £185,000-£250,000 for one-beds and £220,000-£280,000 for twos. Terraces: two-beds from £300,000, three from £320,000 up to £550,000. Bargain of the week Three-bed end-of-terrace Edwardian house in the ­Catford end of Brockley, £300,000 with De Scotia (020-8697 8871). Live in this area? Join the debate at theguardian.com/letsmoveto From the streets Nigel Rayment "Brockley is a real community, which has so far avoided the yummy-mummy horrors of East Dulwich." Julie Seal " Brockley is the only place in Zone Two you can still ­afford a garden." Michelle Smyth "Best bread and cream cakes in south-east London at Ayres The Bakers in Nunhead. Walk them off by climbing Telegraph Hill." Melanie Yurt "Nunhead is cheaper than over-priced East Dulwich, and much friendlier". John Franks "The trains service from Honor Oak Park to London Bridge is becoming less frequent and more overcrowded." Catherine Owston " Le Querce on Brockley Rise does the best Italian food I've ever eaten." • Do you live in Saffron Walden, ­Essex? Do you have a favourite haunt or a pet hate? If so, please write, by Tuesday 26 January, to [email protected]