I live near the station in Forest Hill but regularly go to Brockley, Honor Oak, Sydenham etc...I dont think Brockley is so far from Forest Hill that I even see them as different places anymore We have friends who we visit regularly by Hilly Fields and they feel like neighbours!! In terms of house prices I got the impression that Brockley is more expensive due to its Zone 2 location whilst Honor Oak was cheaper than both Forest Hill and Brockley. Saying that - it depends on what street you look on like anywhere!! I do prefer the more obvious town centre of Forest Hill - Brockley's 'centre' is more around Crofton Park station to me and it's just like one long road whereas Forest Hill has a sort of junction of three roads which makes it feel a bit more like a centre...in conclusion though, I think wherever makes the most financial/where you feel safe kind of sense for you is a goer as none of it is very far away from the rest of it!