Barely a day goes by without tales of snatched phones, machete fights or gang feuds blighting life in the UK’s capital. For many, it must make the idea of living in Lawless London utterly incomprehensible.
But there’s still plenty of corners of the city that haven’t been torn asunder by violent crime. Plenty of neighbourhoods that remind you why this is one of the greatest cities of the world. Plenty of places where locals can still feel pretty smug to call home.
Welcome to Penge – recently named as the coolest place in London by The Sunday Times. Cooler than Balham. Cooler than Camden. Cooler than Shoreditch. And locals tend to agree there is something pretty special about it.
As you walk around the streeets of SE20, as well as the host of colourful murals, you are struck by the peace, the quiet, the slow pace of life.
It doesn’t feel much like one of the world’s busiest cities at all.
Lee Sheriff, 53, has lived in Penge for six years and agrees that the town has become somehow cooler in recent years.
He says: “It’s definitely moving in a direction where it’s changing. It’s more pleasant to live here. It’s becoming increasingly trendy.”
Lee tells the Express that lots of upcoming change is planned for the area such as new flats, which locals have mixed feelings about as it changes the identity of their neighbourhood. After all, one person’s cool is another’s hideous gentrification.
He believes it is a “large exaggeration” for Penge to be lauded as the coolest neighbourhood in London but says he does like the area having grown up there.
He adds: “There’s more choice of shops, restaurants, amenities, so in that way, it’s definitely changed.
“A lot’s changed over the last 10 years but it’s still green like the rest of South London. There’s lots of parks and it’s beautiful.
“It’s definitely more affordable than other areas nearby such as Crystal Palace.”
Just as Lee is talking about the strong sense of community in the area, one of his neighbours walks past and proves the point, greeting him with a cheery hello.
Sitting outside Costa, Maria Bond, 52, is visiting Penge from Manchester to see a friend and can see the appeal of the area. After living in London for many years, she made the move up north but admits she would come back to the capital.
Maria tells the Express: “As I sat here, I actually did think, this is a really nice, cool place.
“I was thinking, if I lived in this area, I would probably come here on a regular basis, sit down, chill out, have my coffee, and watch people go by.
“It’s just nice because there’s a vibe here. You feel a nice, peaceful, calm vibe, people are like smiling.”
Despite the appeal of the area, Maria adds that parts of Penge still appear socially deprived and in need of a lick of paint.
Shafeek Andadthodan, 34, who works in one of Penge’s independent shops, enjoys the peaceful nature of the neighbourhood.
He says: “Penge is nice and quiet, it’s easy to live here. I used to live in Elephant and Castle before here but what I like about Penge is that there’s no trouble.
“You can go anywhere day or night and it’s quiet. I’m always happy here. I definitely want to stay in the area.”
Safe as well as cool. London could no doubt do with more neighbourhoods where both are true.