Billie

The White Lady of Camberwell is called Alison. When I was at Uni in the early 90s my friends and I sat near her in the Coal Hole on The Strand. We thought she was a performance artist from Covent Garden. We started chatting to her and she joined our group as she was on her own. My friends and I still talk about that night. Alison was very quietly spoken with a child like voice. On the night we met her she had lots of tin cans in her white jacket - with the labels taken off. I'm really pleased that she is overcoming her difficulties. It was obvious that she had suffered some sort of trauma, but was a lovely person.

I'm here to stay now - gentrification or not! I don't ever want to pick up a paint brush again and life in Kent doesn't appeal!

Hi, I can understand your dilemma. I went through the same process last year. I decided to move to Sydenham from East Dulwich and I'm really happy with the decision. I'd lived in East Dulwich for 10 years and loved it, but I wanted more space and a proper garden. I got the same positive feeling with Sydenham as I did with ED in the 1990s before it became trendy. Forest Hill didn't do it for me - the South Circular dissects it and ruins the chemistry in my view. For Sydenham: Bang for your buck: I moved from a 2 bed house with a small yard near Northcross to a 3 bed Edwardian house on the Thorpe Estate with a big garden. The same type of property in ED would have been 100k more. Community: Everyone knows each other and I'm often given help. My neighbour cut my hedge for me the other day because I was struggling with some old school shears! On my road I know the names of everyone and on a Saturday everyone chats if they are passing. It is a bit middle class I guess but it feels more authentic than ED (I think ED has been invaded by Clapham types in the last couple of years and it feels like you're living in a trendy bubble). I believe the schools are good too. I've noticed that the people waiting for the train in the morning are younger and trendier. There are a lot of creative people - actors etc. I know that the guitarist from the band Air lives near the station. High street: The shop keepers are really friendly and they remember who you are and what you normally buy. The service from the opticians was unbelievable. Transport for London have awarded a grant to renovate the high street, putting in trees, new lamp posts, railings. The proposals sound great. It's part of their investment in the new tube line. There is also a nice balance of independent traders and chains. There is a Superdrug and a small Boots, but apart from that it's family owned businesses. The book shop is one of the best independents in London and The Blue Mountain caf? is opening next door soon. Transport: Trains are excellent - more options than ED. The train from Sydenham to Clapham Juntion via Balham is really great. In the evenings you can get direct trains to Sydenham from Charing Cross, Waterloo East, London Bridge & Victoria. It'll get even better when the East London Line arrives in a few years. There is a rumour that this will increase house prices massively as the line will pass through the City, Hoxton and up to Highbury Corner. Great for going out in Shoreditch. Against Sydenham: Transport: It's hard to get to Brixton/Clapham High Street - I did love the 37 bus in ED. Buses into town take ages as you're a bit further out. Shopping: It's down to earth. You can get everything you need, but it's not a destination for indulgent shopping. It was very much like that in ED 10 years ago. It might change here, but if it doesn't it won't be too bad as there are great places on the doorstep like ED. Night life: Apart from The Dolphin, it's a bit rough. There are some great independent restaurants, but it's all substance over style. No trendy d?cor. It reminds me of ED in the 90s to be honest. There was only the EDT then really and even that was a bit grubby! Safety: I always get a cab from the station after 9pm and lots of other women getting off later trains get a car rather than walk. It's not unsafe, but it's edgier than ED. In the daytime/early evening it's fine though. Nice vibe. Just as an aside, to show that I'm impartial, I still own the house in East Dulwich, so I could move back there if I wanted - but I never will!