What is Croydon like?

cashbackproblems

Hi All

I am currently looking to buy my own place in London and have been considering SE London due to the lower costs and higher availability of places for sale.

With hardly any affordable properties on the market in places like Beckenham, Kidbrooke etc, I have started looking at Croydon.

I am pretty open as to the area as long as it is safe and easy to commute into London everyday, have so far read that South Croydon is the best, but how about East/West (near the stations?). I have visited about a year back and don't really remember much.

Have a max budget of 330k for a 2 bed ideally house but happy with flat as well. Have seen loads of new builds but unsure about the location as they are city centre.

thanks

ReadingTim

cashbackproblems wrote: »

I have visited about a year back and don't really remember much.

Given you're spending a third of a million pounds, it's probably a good idea to visit yourself, rather than ask strangers on an internet forum.

Alternatively, if you have this kind of money available and believe everything you read online, then my cousin in Lagos wants to share a large fortune with you, he just needs a small fee upfront to get it through customs.....

TranceNRG

I live in London and don't know much about Croydon but I've heard it used to be pretty rough but these days it's not too bad. Apparently there are some nice parts and not so nice parts. 330K in London won't buy you much

emma12345

Depends on what you're looking for. If you're commuting into London then you'd need to be close to East or South Croydon stations. Or maybe Addiscombe as it's only a five or ten minute walk away from East Croydon. If you need good schools and green spaces then further south into Selsdon and Sanderstead may be worth looking into. East or South Croydon is nicer than West Croydon IMO, but it depends on what you're looking for.

Rizla300

We have just bought in croydon in the Woodside Green, Addiscombe, Blackhorse Lane, Arena and Lebanon Road are decent areas and good links for East Croydon. but you may only get a one bedroom. Thornton Heath is cheaper but a bit rough and New Addington is rough. South Norwood/Selhurst maybe more affordable and close to Norwood Junction for fast train to London but some parts are a bit run down. South Croydon will be out of your price range I'm afraid for a 2 bed.

p.s. stay clear of Barnard Marcus and Haart Estate agents in Thornton Heath and Croydon areas!

dandan6666

If I was you I would look further south outside the M25 as you will be able to get more for your money and still have a train that takes around half an hour into London Bridge or Victoria

deaston

cashbackproblems wrote: »

Hi All

I am currently looking to buy my own place in London and have been considering SE London due to the lower costs and higher availability of places for sale.

With hardly any affordable properties on the market in places like Beckenham, Kidbrooke etc, I have started looking at Croydon.

I am pretty open as to the area as long as it is safe and easy to commute into London everyday, have so far read that South Croydon is the best, but how about East/West (near the stations?). I have visited about a year back and don't really remember much.

Have a max budget of 330k for a 2 bed ideally house but happy with flat as well. Have seen loads of new builds but unsure about the location as they are city centre.

thanks

I think Croydon is hideous. Have you considered more SW London/Surrey? Surbiton for example?

theartfullodger

I remember going to the Circus on a bomb-site there in the 50s.. The lion "tamer" had been bitten by a lion when he stuck his head in lion's mouth, so no lions.....(before circus animal shows banned: Well done lion!)

duchy

deaston wrote: »

I think Croydon is hideous. Have you considered more SW London/Surrey? Surbiton for example?

You did see the OP's budget......your suggestions are not realistic.

As someone who actually knows Croydon I'd suggest East Croydon/Addiscombe/Selsdon -possibly Purley/Kenley borders (Sunnydene Road and surrounding)

I'd agree avoid West Croydon and New Addington-they are cheaper for a reason.

Central Croydon is about to become a building site as the main shopping area of North End/ Whitgift centre is going to be redeveloped as a new Westfield so there will be major demolition/rebuilding which in the short term will be a pain but long term could be a better investment.

KayTM

Croydon has a lot going for it. You might be pushing it a bit on your budget but it's possible you might find a house which "needs modernisation".

As people have been saying, there are rough areas, but there are also some quiet residential areas too, eg Addiscombe. What's not to like? You're far enough away from the not so good areas, yet you can jump on the tram and have all the amenities of central Croydon within a few minutes access. You might also consider other areas on the tram route.

We rented in Croydon but the rapidly rising prices there made us decide to buy elsewhere. If we'd had the budget to buy, I would have been happy to stay on in a nice part of Croydon.

There's also a lot of new build going on so you might be able to get a discount. Otherwise, I think you could get a flat in a reasonable area for your budget. Good luck!

bouicca21

Croydon is very variable, make sure you go and look carefully. I'm personally not too keen on South Norwood but somewhere near the park could be nice. Beckenham is not entirely out of your range, depending on what you want, but definitely a flat rather than a house. This one for example is on a good road, but at the less desirable end (unadopted and potholed) longish walk to one station (line to Victoria) and shorter to another (thameslink)
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-52636790.htmlg

Penge always makes me laugh (Rumpole) but I have friends who live there and they think it is up and coming. But again, you'd be looking at a flat instead of a house.