As someone who has the misfortune to live in one of the newer CPZ's, my advice would be 'avoid at all costs'.

From conversations I've had with my neighbours, it seems that those who have cars have three main gripes:

(i) Cost: I'm told that LBC quickly broke its promise not to increase the cost of permits.
(ii) Space: finding a parking space is not really any easier - there are still far, far more permit holders than there are spaces. Besides, CPZ's don't actually prevent 'outsiders' from parking, they just charge them for the privilege.
(iii) Over-zealous enforcement. Displaying a valid permit won't necessarily stop the NCP wardens (who now prowl the streets more or less continuously during daylight - because, of course, CPZs have to be enforced) from giving you a ticket. Where there's a will (and maybe a bonus?) there's a way.

Ironically, if you don't have a car, you can still be badly affected by the introduction of a CPZ. I gave up my car a few years ago because I don't really need it. I reasoned that, on the rare occasions I did have a valid reason to drive (maybe five or six times a year) I could hire a car for a few days or use a car-sharing scheme. It worked a treat until the CPZ came in. Now, parking a hire / pool car within walking distance of my home is a logistical nightmare, involving trips to Deptford or Catford the day before to buy Visitors Permits. It would be easier just to give in, buy a car and get a permit - and that's what i'm thinking of doing.

Finally, a quick comment on the distribution of CPZ questionnaires. I've lived in Lewisham for around 20 years now and I can't recall a single 'consultation' / resident's letter / freesheet that was properly distributed. It's as if LBC has somehow failed to notice that a large chunk of the borough's housing stock is in multi-occupation? I live in one of four flats. When we were supposedly 'consulted' about a CPZ, we received just one questionnaire between us. The same happened next door, where there are six flats. If that was repeated up and down our road, then only 20% of residents even saw a questionnaire. Assume a thirty per cent response rate (about the norm for a postal survey) and you end up 'consulting' around six per cent of the households affected.