Kennington

The area around Kennington and Burgess, starting from Vauxhall, looks better than it is.

Both places are invariably cramped, and starting from Addington Square, the streets have a very distinct upstairs/downstairs tone - or, if you want to put it another way, the split could be said to be between tidy and untidy. One side of the street may look lovely and inviting, but judging by the properties on the other side of the street one might think being in an entirely different place. If you're looking for a word to describe this region, I suggest schizophrenic.

If class conflict ever starts in London, this place may well be at the heart. And it's even possible that the ever-present airplane blare may well cover the first hints of it happening. Even within the otherwise noisy city, this region stands out in quite an unfavourable way.

If we continue towards east and go past Telegraph Hill, we will eventually come to an altogether different neighbourhood.

Brockley

After the mental anguish of walking all the way from Vauxhall, Brockley was a refreshing breath of air. It's still somewhat noisy but unlike the previous two areas, this one felt more accommodating.

Above all else, the place was culturally indefferent. I couldn't spot a single dominant culture, and perhaps for that very reason they all mingled happily together. In some parts of the city that may not always be the case.

A nice neighbourhood, and not too upmarket either.