Hi Belle

Forest Hill is a fine place to live. Whether you find it better than ED depends on what you like doing. There are a lot more shops/restaurants/bars within walking distance of Lordship Lane if you're in ED but it is only a short bus ride away and it kinda depends on how much you want to go out within walking distance of home. I've never found it that much hassle to hop on a bus when I want to go out there. That's not to say that there aren't decent restaurants etc in Forest Hill but there are more in ED.

The open spaces and woods are the biggest perk of the area. They are lovely to walk round, run round or simply sit in and enjoy. And it's fabulous to have a choice of what you fancy.

Crimewise - it's no worse than ED. I've been burgled while living here but don't feel particularly unsafe - just unfortunate.

And this forum is definitely less lively than EDF and doesn't quite cover the esoteric range of topics that the EDF does!