Best areas to buy in London?

Hello!

Due to the insanity of the London rental market, I'm exploring options to buy my own 1 bedroom flat in London. The staggering inflation of rent just doesn't make sense for me anymore- why give £1,500-2000 a month to a stranger, when it can go towards a mortgage!?

I'm a first-time buyer, mid-thirties female, and budget will be around £350k.

I'm currently considering around Bermondsey, but I'm interested to hear if anyone has any insights into other areas that would be worth looking into from an investment perspective?

I dont want to be outside of zone 2, and having lived N,S,E,W, I'm less keen on living West again.

Any thoughts and insights would be very much appreciated! Thank you!