Worst areas of London? Residents of Eltham have their say

Londoners name neighbourhoods they’d never live in <i>(Image: @thewolfofkent on Tik Tok)</i>
Londoners name neighbourhoods they’d never live in (Image: @thewolfofkent on Tik Tok)
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People in Eltham have shared the London neighbourhoods they say they would never live in during a series of blunt street interviews, as reported by our sister title London Now.

TikTok creator thewolfofkent stopped passers-by in Eltham to ask which parts of the capital were off-limits to them.

Peckham, Lewisham and Croydon were mentioned most frequently, with the interviewer dubbing them the “big three”, London Now reports, where further details of the video can be viewed.

One interviewee called Woolwich a "nasty ghetto," while another said it is "like a crackhead area."

Asked about Woolwich, he added: "Just too much things going on."

TikTok street interviews on London areas to avoid

TikTok may amplify the gripes, but these areas have plenty going for them beyond the stereotypes.

Woolwich has changed fast into a busy riverside area with the Elizabeth line and the Woolwich Works arts venue.

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Lewisham was also knocked for having "too much stuff going on," despite its creative buzz and strong community feel.

Some wrote off Croydon on reputation alone, with one person calling Hayes a "scary area."

But Croydon is changing, telling a story of regeneration with new food halls and the buzz of Boxpark.

Woolwich, Lewisham, and Croydon reputations versus reality

He also found some people just want a quieter life away from central London's traffic.

One man said he would never live in St John's Wood because it is "too bougie."

Even Eltham, where the video was filmed, took flak from locals.

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One resident joked he hated Eltham from birth, calling it a "dead place" with nothing to do.

Nearby Erith was slated for having few parks or basketball courts but praised for a good chicken shop near the high street.

Other neighbourhoods Londoners said they would not live in

A young man branded Brixton a "dangerous place" and said he had been chased there before.

Whitechapel also came up, with one person vowing never to go back after just one visit.

But Erith and Eltham also offer waterfront walks and a slower pace than the London rush.

The trending clips offer a snapshot of a city that is imperfect and evolving but remains full of life.

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