Working Near Blackfriars Station -- looking for Suggestions on Where to Live

Hello everyone.  I finally got the job offer from my company's European division, and so heading over in the middle of April with a start date of May 3rd.  I am disappointed that they will not pay for the move (reason given is that I am the one pursuing the transfer) -- but I am excited and feel blessed to have the job since I know how difficult it can be to get started without employment.  With that said, I am looking for suggestions on neighborhoods to consider when I arrive and start looking for an apartment.  Here is some background.

Location of job:  London on Fleet Place Street.  Closest train station is Blackfriars.

Size:  Ideally a 2 bedroom.  However, in that I am on a limited budget, will made do with a large one bedroom.   I know large is relative but would like at least 650 - 700sq feet (60 – 65 sq meters).

Target rent:  700 - 1000 pounds per month. 

Any and all suggestions welcome.  I would love to live in the center of London, but I know on my budget that may not work.  So willing to commute -- but ideally no more than 30-45minutes by train.  I am open to all neighborhoods North and South, but being a single woman (with a cat) -- looking for a low crime area.  With that said, it does not need to be the trendiest neighborhood next to all the hot attractions.  I plan to be in London for the near future -- so looking for a place to call home that will allow be to get around easily without breaking the bank.  Oh one last thing, I will not have a car.  So public transportation all the way. 

Thanks for suggestions in advance. 

UB

You might want to stay in a hotel and then look for a place to live once you get here, so you don't end up with someplace in a bad neighborhood.  Others on this site have always said that neighborhoods in London can change from street to street and become a bit dodgy.  www.findaproperty.com is a good site

AmericanFox, I do plan to stay in a hotel and look for a place when I get to London.  However, in that I will only have about 10 days before I arrive and start the job, I want to use the time effectively.  So want to get some suggestions on neighborhoods to consider, do a bit of research and then from that, possible line up times with a few estate agents to go view the apartments.   Definitely would not rent an apartment without seeing it first. 

Hate to tell you this but finding even a one bedroom with that rent may be tough and a two bedroom might be out of the range - unless you are willing to live a bit far out & commute.  I know most of my friends have to live with someone (which is what I do) to live closer or they rent a very small one-bedroom (closer to £1000 or over).  You'll find that it is VERY expensive to rent here.  Then again, I live in NW as do most of my friends.  You should probably look south of the river as I think that might be your best bet.  Good luck!  And let us know when you are settled...there's a few of us single gals on the board.

You can find a one-bedroom flat in your price range. I live in Stoke Newington with my
husband and we pay 650 a month for a very small 2 bedroom flat. Stoke Newington
is great and a pretty easy commute from the City- the BR (British Rail) gets you to Liverpool
Street Station in under 15 minutes, and some of the local buses go to Blackfriars.
One bedroom flats usually start in the 150-200 a week range. Finsbury Park is also fairly
reasonable, as is East London, and are very accessible to Fleet Street.

The other thing to consider (along with safety factors) is how much you want to pay for commuting - it can get expensive.  I'd look at the transport for London site so you can see where you might be commuting from, how long it would take and how much it would cost.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone.  The advise given has been most helpful.