close to financial centre, safe and cheap? Anyone? :)

Hi,

I'll start working in London next September and my excitment is only put off by the fact that I don't know London well enough to know where i should live. Really appreciated if you could help me getting started.

I would love if you could name some areas that you believe are safe, reasonably cheap to share a flat and close to the financial centre.

Also, in your opinion, when should i seriously start doing the viewings, if I want to move at the end of August, beggining of September?

All the best,
John

---