Reverting to house prices rather than the wider economy, this is an interesting articles on the many issues with the market over the past few years. Focus on SE London, and the problems with the developments East of Woolwich, which is the last town in Zone 4 with any decent connection to London - after this, it is wasteland.
FT.com / Arts & weekend / Magazine - Requiem for a dream home
I'll post the full article if anyone is having trouble reading it.