John and Masha are good hosts and very kind people. The bedroom has nice light and is spacious enough to feel like a little studio of your own. The bathroom was kept tidy and also has nice light, with 1930s art deco tile. My hosts were helpful in letting me do laundry, hang dry my clothes, have access to their fridge, and suggest local sights.

Demographically, the neighborhood has a very international vibe, with immigrants and Britons mostly of African descent. (It's def not a lily white English cottage town.) The location worked well for me because I could walk in 10 minutes (or bus) to the Lewisham train station for a 10 minute ride on National Rail to the London Bridge station in the heart of the city. If you come back after the last train, you can catch the #89 night bus from Charing Cross or perhaps other spots, too. You're also close to the charming area of Greenwich via the DLR (Docklands Light Railway), a few stops north and worth a visit for the Observatory, Cutty Sark ship, and plenty of museums.

Public transit: Buy an Oyster card and specify that you're staying in Zone 2. You can buy a visitor version for a full week at a great discount.

Altogether, I enjoyed my stay of over a week and found it a great base for exploring London.