London Bridge
I should not really get in to that well known 'trap' of recommending places to live, as it depends on personal choice, budget, willing to commute, etc. When I arrived in London over 20 years ago, and had a job in the City [Lombard Street, no less], I was young, on my own, and eager to have a complete change of life style, a sense of adventure too- and I had no money. So I chose an area well known in London- between the Elephant and Castle and Bricklayers Arms. it was 25 minutes walk to the office, close enough to all the attractions, and it was cheap, friendly and safe- and a complete change too. I have nothing but very fond memories of this period of my life. I still have friends from this period, and I often find myself go shopping there- East Street Market, my dentist is there, as well as a very good second hand bookshop in the basement of the shopping centre. The area still has a rough reputation.... Rotherhithe is a very interesting place to live in. It is not expensive, you can rent a house/flat there for reasonable amount [about £1000pm] , and be very close to work. the area has been re-developed in the past 20 years,a nd there are canals, waterways, walks, parks and a mediocre shopping centre [Tesco] . There is no jewish or an isreaeli community . You will find that most of your colleagues in the City live far in the suburbs or outside London, and spend at least an hour in commuting every day, because the schools are better, they like their houses and gardens etc. Woking is a good example...[a la the moderator's namesake..] Commuting into London is expensive. Last word about 'white goods' = fridge, washing machines, hair dryers etc; they are not as expensive here as you think. I recently changed my washing machine to a new one for £280 [as recommended by Which magazine], and a new fridge/freezer would set you back about £400 [again, as per which magazine], so you CAN buy those things over here. regards Yoram