Bromley - does anyone live here?

sterl1ng

Talking with various friends and reading reviews I'm having doubts about my current choice of location being croydon so last night I was reading about bromley (only been to the glades once) and I what I read was very positive and I felt this more a safer place perhaps to raise kids too.

I did see a few 2 bed houses within £200k which was good though did see others in bickley slightly higher but I'm thinking now perhaps to hold out for something a smidge run down in a nice area as I can do it up but Bromley is a vast place. I work around docklands so commute is important without me giong in zone 1.

Bromley dwellers (or those with the know how ) I would be very grateful in your help as to location. Its myself/OH and pets so a lovely home of our own which is freehold and 2 bed (not sure if 3 bed appropriate just yet plus probably over budget). Also be good to be near a good primary school and nurseries as I'd like to be there for say 5-10yrs but in case its 10 then good schools like Raglan Primary so need to ensure in the catchment!

Tancred

sterl1ng wrote: »

Talking with various friends and reading reviews I'm having doubts about my current choice of location being croydon so last night I was reading about bromley (only been to the glades once) and I what I read was very positive and I felt this more a safer place perhaps to raise kids too.

I did see a few 2 bed houses within £200k which was good though did see others in bickley slightly higher but I'm thinking now perhaps to hold out for something a smidge run down in a nice area as I can do it up but Bromley is a vast place. I work around docklands so commute is important without me giong in zone 1.

Bromley dwellers (or those with the know how ) I would be very grateful in your help as to location. Its myself/OH and pets so a lovely home of our own which is freehold and 2 bed (not sure if 3 bed appropriate just yet plus probably over budget). Also be good to be near a good primary school and nurseries as I'd like to be there for say 5-10yrs but in case its 10 then good schools like Raglan Primary so need to ensure in the catchment!

I don't live there but I do know that it's one of the few parts of London to still be mostly white in ethnicity.

mrsbmartin

My ex-employers' head office was based in Bromley and I lived there for a few months in one of my employers' houses (they owned 1/2 a street that they used as free accom for staff - it was great!!!). I always found Bromley quite quiet and very safe-feeling (though I'm not hung up about the things Tancred is so couldn't comment on that element of it). I was probably about 19 when I first stayed there on my own if that makes any difference?

If I was looking to be that close to central London it would be one of the areas that I would consider... you really need to go and view some properties though and go chat to the locals (shop keepers, pub landlords etc - they tend to be quite honest about crime).

sterl1ng

whilst i'd love a safer area its just as important I have diversity also within my community but perhaps if I visit the borough and take a look around. I suppose that's one thing with croydon/purley that my have over bromley but we shall see for now

RupertTheCat

I lived in Bromley for several years, and it was very white. And very boring. I actually didn't like it, but as I was single with no kids, that may just be me. It is fairly safe, and the commuting into town is good, and I imagine it would be good for families as it is mainly families living there. I was only broken into once whilst living there, as was my neighbour, so crime wasn't too bad.

But I was very glad to leave!

bluedrop

I live in Bromley. I've been looking to buy for a long time now.

Bromley has very good schools. if you are getting a house for £200k, I doubt if the area is very nice

westmoreland road, shortlands, the area behind bromley south station (palace view?) are all very good. Glanville road, siward road and the surrounding area is nice too. If you want to go furhter towards bromley common, I'd suggest you avoid homesdale road. It gets a bit rough there sometimes
Chatterton village is good too.

raglan primary has a very small catchment area (0.1 or 0.2) .... I suggest you look for properties near Pickhurst primary, St marks, Highfield and Valley. All are very good schools. Pickhurst and valley are my fav.

Commute to docklands is a pain from Bromley (atleast from bromley south). My husband used to work in canary wharf.

roboraver

Hmm I live not too far from Bromley and can certainly echo the previous comments, it certainly is quiet and not diverse.

It would be a nice area to bring up kids but the commute into Canary Wharf via public transport will be a hassle (I think you would be mad personally !! as at least 2 changes which will not be reliable at the best of times !). And if your thinking of driving then give yourself plenty of time, as the A2 is choc a block in the mornings into Canary Wharf, motor cycle is the way to go.

When I was working in Canary Wharf I used to live in Ladywell / Honor Oak Park, what about on the other side of London East even ?

sterl1ng

Hmmm, I think then for now I'll leave it around south croydon for now then. I did see honor oak and forest hill but I didn't feel the 'pull'...maybe becuase the commute isn't as powerful as East croydon of which brighton, city, kings cross, gatwick are al very easy to get to.

sterl1ng

plus given it would be huge hassle travelling to work i'd rather stick to going via norwood junction and avoid paying zone 1 fees (instead of London bridge!)

Moomum

I live in Bromley, in Sunbridge park. My Oh works in canary wharf and he drives in and has parking under his office, any time for so,e reason he cant its a pain in the backside to getmthere. We have two children, one 9 and one 3 and the schools around here are great. Bromley is quiet and a nice place to bring up children, it's also huge so I'm not sure what part you were looking at?