Yikes!! Thanks for your opinion, it's really valuable. You're a woman and you know the area, so although people may say you're over the top I'd be very inclined to listen to you

Hmm...will have to have a think now. I told the girl renting out the room that I'd take it and we arranged that I pay her the deposit at the end of April when I get my next student loan installment. We were going to set up the contract then too. I like her as a potential flatmate and the house and the room, it's just the area I'm not sure about at all. I felt ok walking around there around 7pm last night, but it was still light then. If the house was elsewhere, it'd be perfect

I feel really bad at the thought of having to tell her I won't take the room. I need somewhere from the start of June and in London-terms that leaves me with a month and half, i.e. loads of time to look. However, I'm knee-deep in revision (got exams in 5 weeks) so I wanted to get a room sorted ASAP, and was so happy last night when I thought I'd found a place I could happily live for a year or two. Hm. To start looking again would take time out of my schedule I can't really afford. Stupid situation really.

I could tell the girl that I won't have the room after all and keep looking, but I feel soooo bad about that. I hate letting people down, and she is so nice. She has had other people look at the room so if I pull out she should be ok, but I still don't want to have to go back on my word. On the other hand, I don't want to have my heart in my throat everytime I leave my house thinking something's going to happen...

I'm going to look at another place tomorrow near Wimbledon (Southfields), so at least the area should not really be a factor there as it's safe in that part of London.

And to answer your question - I moved here from Cambridge.

Thanks for your advice